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Como Bans All Bicycles From Historic City Centre

Citing a mid-July e‑bike collision, the mayor said Italy’s traffic code prevents singling out e‑bikes so the city will apply a blanket bicycle ban from September 2026.

Overview

  • The Comune di Como announced a ban on all bicycles in the pedestrian historic centre that will take effect in September 2026 and cover both e‑bikes and conventional bikes.
  • Mayor Alessandro Rapinese linked the decision to a mid‑July incident in which he was struck by an e‑bike and described the vehicles as dangerous after the collision.
  • City officials say national road‑traffic rules forbid treating e‑bikes differently from normal bicycles, which is why the restriction applies to every cycle rather than only motorized models.
  • Local group Nova Como criticized the measure as turning an individual incident into a collective restriction and has planned a protest bicycle ride in response.
  • The ban follows earlier local micromobility limits — including a 2022 e‑scooter rental ban and courier access rules — and could change deliveries, shop access and visitor movement in Como’s narrow, tourist‑filled centre.