{"id":647857,"date":"2026-08-20T20:29:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T20:29:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/647857\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T20:29:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T20:29:15","slug":"italian-mayor-bans-bikes-from-comos-city-centre-after-being-hit-by-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/647857\/","title":{"rendered":"Italian mayor bans bikes from Como’s city centre after being hit by one"},"content":{"rendered":"

THE MAYOR OF the popular Italian tourist city of Como has banned bicycles and e-bikes from parts of its historic centre after he was hit by an e-bike.<\/p>\n

Alessandro Rapinese\u2019s administration has approved restrictions covering around 30 streets in the walled centre of the lakeside city, requiring cyclists to dismount and push their bikes through the affected areas.<\/p>\n

The measure has sparked criticism from residents, cycling groups and opposition politicians, some of whom have accused Rapinese of imposing the ban as a personal vendetta.<\/p>\n

Rapinese was struck by an e-bike while leaving Como\u2019s city hall in July, suffering bruising in the collision.<\/p>\n

He has acknowledged that his own experience influenced the decision, while insisting that the restrictions are needed to protect pedestrians in streets heavily used by tourists.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey accused me of adopting this measure because I was hit by an electric bike: certainly,\u201d Rapinese told Italian news agency Ansa<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople behave based on their own experiences, and I\u2019ve experienced what it\u2019s like to be hit by those beasts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rapinese has also pointed to previous collisions involving cyclists and pedestrians in defending the move.<\/p>\n

In a video<\/a> explaining the new rules, he said the restrictions would cover only a relatively small portion of the city and claimed between 80% and 90% of Como\u2019s restricted traffic zone would remain accessible to cyclists.<\/p>\n

\"alessandro-rapinese-during-the-press-conference-to-present-the-route-of-the-cycling-race-il-lombardia-september-17-como-italy-photo-by-gian-mattia-dalberto-lapresse\"
\n Alessandro Rapinese pictured in 2024. Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n

Alamy Stock Photo\n<\/p>\n

The ban applies to both conventional and electric bicycles because Italy\u2019s highway code does not distinguish between the two.<\/p>\n

Rapinese has taken particular aim at delivery riders who cycle through the historic centre, arguing that pedestrians should be able to use the busiest streets without bikes \u201churtling\u201d past them.<\/p>\n

The restrictions form part of wider changes to traffic rules in the historic centre, which will also impose tighter controls on cars, vans and deliveries.<\/p>\n

The move has nevertheless prompted a backlash.<\/p>\n

Local civic group Nova Como has organised a protest cycle for September<\/a>, while an online petition has been launched calling for the measure to be reversed.<\/p>\n

Rapinese, however, has shown little sign of changing course.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn other cities, a child ends up in hospital and then the politicians take action,\u201d Rapinese said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, I didn\u2019t even end up in hospital. I was hit by a bike, I gathered information and that\u2019s where this measure came from.\u201d<\/p>\n

Como hosts an estimated 1.4 million arrivals annually, including thousands of Irish tourists.<\/p>\n