The mayor of Como, Italy, has banned bicycling in part of the city center
Alessandro Rapinese, the mayor of the Italian city of Como, has banned bicycles from certain streets in the historic center after he was struck by an electric bicycle in July. Starting in September, cyclists will be required to dismount in an area covering about 30 streets, according to BBC News.
Rapinese explained the decision on the grounds of public safety. He said he was struck by an electric bicycle as he was leaving City Hall, shortly after the city administration had discussed traffic restrictions in the city center. The cyclist involved in the collision has not been identified.
The restrictions are part of a new set of traffic rules in the restricted traffic zone, designed to manage the growing flow of tourists and tighten requirements for cars and vans in the city center. The ban will apply to both electric bicycles and regular bicycles, as the Italian traffic code does not distinguish between these modes of transportation.
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Some of the streets affected by the decision are the widest in the old town and are popular among couriers. The new rules stipulate that certain vehicles will require an annual permit, and a fee of 3 euros will be charged for each day of entry into the zone. Deliveries to stores and restaurants will be permitted from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and tourists will be able to drive into the city center only if their hotel has parking.
The decision has sparked opposition among local residents, who have launched an online petition against it. The civic group Civitas Como has questioned the legality of the ban, calling the decision questionable and flawed, while the Nova Como association has planned a protest bike ride for September 12.
