Como Mayor Bans Bikes in City Centre After Collision

Como’s mayor bans bikes in the city centre following a collision, sparking public backlash and protests from cyclists and community groups.

Alessandro Rapinese, the mayor of Como, Italy, has ignited significant controversy after announcing a ban on bicycles in the walled historical center of the city. This measure, set to take effect in September, targets around 30 streets, compelling cyclists on both e-bikes and traditional bicycles to dismount and walk through these areas.

The decision comes after Rapinese himself was hit by a bicycle while leaving city hall in June, leading him to advocate for increased public safety in a tourist-heavy area. His actions have drawn ire from resident groups and political figures, who accuse him of enacting a personal vendetta against cyclists. In response, activists have launched a petition to revoke the ban and are organizing a mass ride through the affected streets scheduled for mid-September as a form of protest.

Defending his stance, Rapinese articulated, “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.” The incident took place just after discussions regarding traffic restrictions in the city center.

Critics of the ban argue that the targeted streets are some of the widest in the city, ideal for accommodating cyclists and offering a smooth passage towards the scenic Lake Como. The exclusion of bicycles, they contend, reduces access to an environmentally friendly and budget-conscious mode of transport. This ban particularly affects delivery riders and local businesses reliant on their services.

Vincenzo Falanga, the president of a local civic group, Nova Como, condemned the mayor’s administration for “turning individual problems into collective ones.” He, along with other critics, believes the focus should shift to addressing reckless behavior among some cyclists rather than imposing a blanket ban.

The Como chapter of the center-left Democratic party has expressed that the city deserves a mobility system prioritizing pedestrian safety while still respecting residents, workers, and sustainable transport options.

Even politicians from opposing sides, like Paolo Emilio Russo from the rightwing Forza Italia, acknowledged Rapinese’s predicament after his encounter with the bike but deemed the ban “crazy.” Despite the backlash, Rapinese remains resolute, stating, “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.”