From the Sidewalk--Dal Marciapiede

For students and most permanent residents, Florence is a walking city. I am sure you have experienced the battle of willpower when encountering a fellow pedestrian on the treacherously thin sidewalks. Merely walking to class becomes a competition of physical presence and impending domination, in which the loser is either plowed by the victorious pedestrian or forced to chance the equally dangerous streets buzzing with motorists. The Italians usually win.
However, once you have learned to maneuver hips, glare down the opposition, or even cling to the wall for dear life, the view from the sidewalk can prove to be quite entertaining; in fact some of my most dear Florentine memories took place while suspended on the curb. The bicyclists in particular prove to be a daily fascination for me. At any given moment you are likely to see Florentine men and women astride their bikes conducting parade worthy feats of dexterity and balance. Watch these pedalers navigate their mounts with no hands while they chat or text on their cellphones, walk their dogs, smoke a cigarette, and hold an umbrella, with groceries in their metal baskets and children perched on the back seat.
No matter the occasion, the Florentine sidewalk is definitely a place to be alert.