Although there is designated bike parking, you can park pretty much any place the bike fits. Although you get some insurance, you are responsible for the bike if it's damaged or stolen, and responsible for everything if you are at fault. It's not no fault insurance. And they know how to collect. There are also services available where you are the passenger and ride on the back with an experienced driver. There are also companies that do group tours. A group of riders goes out with an experienced guide on a tour. But if you want, you can just walk into a store and with a valid ID and drivers license and 1000 to encumber on your credit card, you can just drive away. For a really experienced rider, it's not totally ridiculous providing you don't head downtown, but instead, out of town, or drive slowly through back streets. Italy requires helmets. Many states in the USA do not. There is very little drunk driving in Italy, but drunk and/or drugged driving is rampant in the USA, which puts bikers at great risk. Just for the record, I wouldn't recommend it unless you know your way around bikes, and know your way around Italy. Someone who knows how to ride, and who knows the unique rules of the road, and who's body is able to handle a potential smash and a couple of fractures and still be the same after, can do it. It's not impossible.