Como Mayor Bans E-bikes After Personal Collision

Alessandro Rapinese, the mayor of Como, has enacted a sweeping ban on bicycles, encompassing both electric and pedal-powered models, within approximately 30 streets in the city’s historic center. This decision comes after Mayor Rapinese himself was struck by an e-bike in July, an incident that directly influenced his policy.

“People act based on their own experiences and I know what it’s like to be hit by one of these beasts,” Rapinese stated, emphasizing that the ban is a necessary measure to bolster public safety. Starting in September, cyclists will be required to dismount and walk their bikes through the affected zones.

The ban is part of a broader set of traffic regulations designed to manage growing tourism and reduce congestion in the city center. These new rules establish a Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) with stricter controls for cars and vans. Delivery services will face restricted hours, and tourists driving into the center will need specific permits, especially if their accommodation lacks parking.

While the Italian highway code does not differentiate between electric and conventional bicycles, the mayor’s personal encounter with an e-bike appears to have been the catalyst for this particular measure. He detailed the incident in one of his self-produced online videos, explaining how his collision with an e-bike shortly after a city hall discussion on traffic restrictions led to the comprehensive ban.

This initiative by Como follows similar restrictions implemented in other European cities, including the UK, concerning the use of e-bikes and other personal electric vehicles. However, the ban in Como has already sparked considerable local opposition, with an online petition circulating and a protest bike ride planned. Some local associations have deemed the ban “questionable and erroneous.”

Source: Nile Post