Vespa Turns 80: World Days in Rome with Austria

A Delegation from All Over Austria

From Austria, 165 "Vespisti" from all federal provinces are travelling to the event. They are led by Barbara Schieder, who has been President of the Vespa Club Austria since 2014, the umbrella organisation of the 60 clubs in the Alpine republic. Schieder emphasised that Austria is an Italophile country in which the love of the "Wespe" is particularly strong.

„Der Mythos der ‚Wespe' wird von den Clubmitgliedern in Österreich mit Leidenschaft gelebt", berichtete Schieder weiter. The oldest Vespa club was founded in 1953 in Vienna. From 1964 onwards, the Vespa increasingly conquered the streets of Austria as well, said Schieder. „Schon nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg hat sich die Vespa in Österreich verbreitet und ist zum Symbol für moderne Mobilität geworden", so Schieder.

According to official statistics, 151,066 "Wespen" were registered in Austria at the end of 2025. With just under 20 million two-wheelers sold, Vespa was the first global mobility brand to infuse a touch of Italian "dolce vita" into all five continents.

History and Spread in Austria

The Vespa, whose name translates to "Wespe" (wasp), was born in April 1946 and quickly developed into a symbol of lightness, freedom and urban lifestyle. In Italy, the scooter rapidly became the epitome of "Dolce Vita", and soon afterwards it also conquered the streets of many other countries.

"In the meantime, more and more women are also joining our club members," said Schieder. The Vespa Club Austria, as an umbrella organisation, unites around 60 clubs throughout the country and organises joint rides, meetings and international encounters.

In addition to the grand parade on the 27th, participants in Rome can look forward to an extensive programme with concerts, exhibitions and themed routes through the Eternal City. The organisers are expecting tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world.

Programme and Parade in Rome

For the Austrian delegation, the trip to Rome is a highlight of the anniversary year. Schieder sees the "Vespa World Days" not only as a celebration of the brand, but also as a celebration of the community that has formed around the cult scooter over decades.

The organisers view the gathering as a sign of the lasting global appeal of an industrial product that has long since become a cultural symbol. The Vespa connects people across borders, languages and generations, it was said at the presentation.

To close out the week, the grand anniversary parade through Rome is planned for the 27th, at which the "Vespisti" from the various countries will present themselves together. The event is considered one of the largest gatherings of the Vespa community worldwide.

The celebrations also stand under the banner of a modern brand: Vespa belongs to the Piaggio Group and today produces electrically powered models that are meant to carry the heritage of the cult scooter into an emission-free future. After 80 years, the "Wespe" thus remains a symbol of both change and continuity.