The mayor of Como, Italy, has announced a new regulation that will prohibit riding bicycles in approximately 30 streets within the city’s historic center. Mayor Alessandro Rapinese introduced the measure following an incident in July where he was struck by an electric bike while leaving city hall. The new rules, which apply to both electric and traditional push bikes, are scheduled to take effect in September.
The prohibition is part of a broader package of traffic regulations aimed at managing tourist growth and public safety in the city’s Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL). The mayor stated that the Italian highway code does not distinguish between electric and manual bicycles, leading to a blanket restriction for all types. Under the new rules, cyclists will be required to dismount and walk their bicycles through the affected areas, which include some of the widest and most popular delivery routes in the old town.
Beyond the bicycle restrictions, the new ZTL regulations introduce stricter requirements for motor vehicles. Some vehicles will be required to obtain an annual permit and pay a €3 (£2.60) daily entry fee. Delivery services to local businesses will be restricted to the hours between 06:00 and 23:00. Additionally, tourists staying at hotels within the zone will only be permitted to drive into the center if their lodging provides designated parking.
The financial impact involves a new €3 daily permit fee for certain vehicle entries, which equates to roughly £2.60 per day for drivers. This adds a direct cost to motorists and businesses operating within the historic district starting in September. Tourists will also face restricted access, as their ability to drive to their accommodations now depends entirely on whether the hotel possesses private parking facilities. These changes represent a shift in how the city manages its infrastructure in response to high tourism levels.
The policy has already prompted organized opposition, setting a precedent for legal and social challenges to micro-mobility restrictions. A local citizens group, Civitas Como, has challenged the legitimacy of the ban, while the Nova Como association has scheduled a protest for September 12. These actions follow similar restrictive trends in other European cities, such as Palermo and Paris, indicating a broader regional movement to regulate single-person vehicles in historic urban centers.
Mayor Rapinese confirmed he did not require hospitalization following the July collision, but stated the experience informed his decision to prioritize public safety. The cyclist involved in the collision with the mayor has not been identified. Opponents of the measure have launched an online petition seeking to block the resolution before it is implemented next month.