Como Mayor Bans Bike Use After Personal Accident

Sun Sep 06 2026 03:55:58 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Come mayor bans bicycle traffic in historic centre following a collision with an e-bike, citing public safety concerns and upcoming regulations.

Mayor Alessandro Rapinese of Como has enacted a ban on bicycles along 30 streets in the historic city centre, citing a recent collision where he was struck by an e‑bike. The restriction, taking effect in September, covers both electric and push‑bikes, and comes as part of broader traffic measures aiming to manage tourist flow and limit vehicle entry. Local residents and citizens groups have rallied against the ban, raising petitions and organising protest rides. Similar restrictions are being adopted in other European cities, including Palermo and Paris, which tackle e‑scooter and bike safety. City officials say the move seeks to reduce accidents and protect pedestrians and cyclists alike.

Como Mayor Bans Bike Use After Personal Accident

Mayor Rapinese said the ban was necessary to improve public safety, adding that people act based on their own experiences and he knows what it is like to be hit by one of these “beasts”. The new rules fall under a Limited Traffic Zone that already limits the number of cars and vans in the centre, and are set to coincide with a €3 permit for daily vehicle entry.

The measure has faced backlash from locals; an online petition has been launched, and Civitas Como has described the ban as “questionable and erroneous.” A protest bike ride organised by Nova Como is scheduled for 12 September.

Similar restrictions are emerging across Europe. Palermo has limited bicycle traffic on main streets since 2023, while Paris has clamped down on e‑scooter safety and banned rental e‑scooters in 2023. These moves reflect a growing trend to reassess the use of personal motorised vehicles in historic urban cores.

The ban applies to both electric and push bikes, because the Italian highway code does not distinguish between models. Mayor Rapinese explained his decision in a video series called RapiNews24, recounting the July collision that prompted the regulation.