Como Bans e‑Bikes After Mayor's Crash, Sparks Local Protest

Sun Sep 06 2026 03:55:55 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Como's mayor bans electric bikes following a crash, citing safety concerns, while residents raise petitions and plan protests.

After being hit by an e‑bike, Como's mayor Alessandro Rapinese introduced a ban on bicycles in historic streets to boost public safety. The policy, rolling out in September, requires cyclists to dismount in about 30 narrow streets and is part of wider traffic regulations, including a Limited Traffic Zone. While enforcement addresses car and van restrictions, the ban has drawn backlash from locals and sparked an online petition. The city, popular with delivery drivers, will see stricter rules for deliveries and tourist vehicles amid growing concerns over historic traffic congestion.

Como Bans e‑Bikes After Mayor's Crash, Sparks Local Protest

Following a collision with an electric bike, Como's mayor Alessandro Rapinese announced a ban on bicycling within a dozen historic streets in order to improve safety. The restriction, beginning in September, will force cyclists to dismount in about 30 narrow lanes that are popular with delivery riders.

Rapinese said the measure comes from a new set of traffic rules, including a Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) designed to curb both vehicle and cyclist traffic as tourism swells. The ban applies to all bicycles – electric or not – because Italian law does not distinguish between models.

The city’s historic centre, already covered by a ZTL, will also see tighter limits on cars and vans, with delivery trucks restricted to 6am‑11pm and tourists required to have parking at their hotels. The ban has triggered backlash from residents, who gathered an online petition arguing the rule is “questionable and erroneous.”

Civic groups plan protests, including a bike‑ride rally on 12 September, while the mayor explained his decision in a video series called RapiNews24. The move follows similar restrictions in other Italian cities like Palermo, and mirrors recent bans in Paris on e‑scooters.