Knocked Down by an Electric Bike, the Mayor Decides to Ban Bikes in the City Center!

In Como, Italy, cyclists will have to dismount in a part of the historic center. A decision made by the mayor after he himself was hit by an electric bike.

At a time when cycling is at its peak, this decision does not go unnoticed. Starting in September, bicycles will be banned from approximately 30 streets in the historic center of Como, a famous Italian town located on the shores of the lake of the same name. Cyclists will still be allowed to enter, but they will have to get off their bikes and push them.

The measure applies to both traditional and electric bicycles. And its origin is quite personal. As reported by The Guardian, the mayor of Como, Alessandro Rapinese, was himself struck by an electric bicycle while leaving the town hall this summer. He admits that this experience influenced his decision.

Revenge or safety?

However, the mayor defends this primarily as a safety measure for pedestrians in a historic center particularly frequented by tourists. He also assures that the ban will only affect a limited portion of Como’s restricted traffic zone.

Unsurprisingly, the decision is controversial. Residents, cycling associations, and political leaders decry it as an overreaction, with some even accusing Alessandro Rapinese of settling scores with bicycles. A petition has been launched, and a bicycle protest is planned for September. Delivery personnel and merchants could also be impacted by the new restrictions.

Como had already banned shared electric scooters in its center in 2022. This time, the Lombard city is going further: whether electric or not, bicycles will also have to learn to walk.

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