Cycling through the historic streets of Como, Italy, will soon look very different. Starting in September, cyclists must dismount and walk their bikes through about 30 streets in the old town center. The new rule applies to both standard bicycles and electric bikes.
The decision came after an incident involving the city's mayor, Alessandro Rapinese. In July, as he was leaving city hall after discussing traffic restrictions, an e-bike struck him. Although he did not need hospital care, the collision convinced him to take action. He explained that people act based on their personal experiences, noting that he now knows what it feels like to be hit by one of these vehicles.
The bike restriction is part of a broader package of traffic regulations for the city's Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL), designed to manage tourist growth and improve public safety in the historic Roman-walled center. Under the new rules, certain motor vehicles will require daily entry permits. In addition, delivery times for shops and restaurants will be limited to between 06:00 and 23:00, while hotel guests can only drive into the center if their lodging provides parking.
The measures have faced immediate pushback from local residents and delivery workers who rely on bicycles for daily transportation across the town's widest streets. A local citizens group, Civitas Como, has questioned the legitimacy of the ban, while another association, Nova Como, has organized a protest bike ride for September 12. An online petition has also been launched to block the decision.
Como joins several other European cities restricting single-person vehicles. Palermo introduced bike restrictions in parts of its main streets in 2023, while Paris banned rental e-scooters that same year and continues to enforce strict safety requirements.