Alessandro Rapinese, the mayor of Como, Italy, has ordered a controversial ban on bicycles across approximately 30 streets in the historic city centre, taking effect in September. The decision follows a personal collision with an e-bike, drawing sharp criticism from local politicians and resident groups who label the measure a vendetta.
A Personal Collision Ignites a Municipal Traffic Ban
The policy targets about 30 streets in the walled historical centre of the lakeside city. Cyclists riding either push bikes or e-bikes will be required to dismount and walk through the specified zones when the restriction begins in September.
The administrative action stems directly from an incident in June, when Alessandro Rapinese was struck by an electric bicycle while leaving city hall. The collision occurred shortly after his executive had met to discuss a measure restricting traffic in the centre. The identity of the cyclist involved in the accident remains unknown.
Defending the regulation, Rapinese acknowledged the motivation behind the policy to Italian news agency Ansa. He argued that the rule addresses public safety in a densely populated tourist destination.
“I’ve been accused of adopting this measure because I was hit by an electric bike – certainly, that is true. People act based on their own experiences and I know what it’s like to be hit by one of these beasts.”
Alessandro Rapinese, Mayor of Como, via The Guardian
Broad Restrictions and Legal Challenges in the Historic Center
The bicycle ban forms part of a package establishing a Limited Traffic Zone, designed to manage tourist growth. Under the new framework, vehicle and delivery rules include stricter regulations. Deliveries to shops and restaurants are restricted to the hours between 06:00 and 23:00, while tourists staying in hotels can only drive into the centre if their accommodation has parking.
The regulation applies equally to electric bicycles and traditional models because Italy’s highway code does not distinguish between the two propulsion types. Rented e-scooters were banned in the city centre in 2022.
Legal challenges have emerged alongside public demonstrations. An organization named Civitas argued that the resolution contains errors and omissions which render it at least nullifiable. The legal argument highlights the Highway Code’s definition of a pedestrian area, which is a zone closed to vehicle traffic except for emergency services, velocipedes, and vehicles serving people with disabilities.
Political Backlash and Community Protests
Opposition to the mayoral decree spans the political landscape and civil society. Critics point out that many of the affected streets are the widest in the centre, offering a smooth route toward Lake Como.
Civic groups and opposition parties argue that the ban penalizes eco-friendly transport, residents, workers, and delivery personnel who rely on bicycles. Vincenzo Falanga, president of the local civic group Nova Como, criticized the administration for turning individual problems into collective ones
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Political figures from multiple parties have weighed in on the controversy. The Como branch of the centre-left Democratic Party issued a statement asserting that the city deserves a mobility system that ensures pedestrian safety without penalizing residents, workers, and those who choose sustainable transport. Meanwhile, Paolo Emilio Russo, a politician with the rightwing Forza Italia party, expressed sympathy for the mayor’s accident but described the ban as crazy.
Mayor Rapinese Refuses to Back Down
Despite mounting petitions and planned demonstrations, Rapinese has refused to back-pedal. He maintained that preventative governance is preferable to reactive measures taken only after severe injuries occur.
“In other cities, a child ends up in hospital and then the politicians take action. Here, I didn’t even end up in hospital. I was hit by a bike, I gathered information and that’s where this measure came from.”
Alessandro Rapinese, Mayor of Como, via The Guardian
Activists have initiated a petition to block the resolution. Cyclists are organizing a protest ride through the restricted streets to challenge the municipality’s stance.
Upcoming Protests and the September Enforcement Date
Nova Como has scheduled a protest bike ride for September 12, directly testing the rules just as the policy takes effect across the designated historic corridors.
