Italy's Como mayor bans bicycles from city centre after being hit by e-bike

The mayor of Como, Italy, has ordered bicycles to be banned from around 30 streets in the historic city centre after he was hit by an e-bike.

Alessandro Rapinese said the ban, which comes into force in September, was necessary to improve public safety in the busy lakeside centre, The Guardian writes.

Cyclists will have to dismount and walk their bikes through the affected streets.

Rapinese has faced criticism from residents' groups and politicians, who accuse him of pursuing a personal vendetta against cyclists. Activists have launched a petition against the measure, while cyclists are planning a protest ride.

Defending the decision, Rapinese told Ansa: “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 collision happened in June as Rapinese was leaving city hall, shortly after his administration had discussed traffic restrictions in the centre. The cyclist involved has not been identified.

Critics say the ban will affect delivery riders, businesses and people who rely on bicycles as an inexpensive and environmentally friendly form of transport.

Vincenzo Falanga, president of civic group Nova Como, accused the administration of “turning individual problems into collective ones”.

The centre-left Democratic Party said: “Como deserves a mobility system that ensures pedestrian safety without penalising residents, workers and those who choose sustainable transport.”

Right-wing Forza Italia politician Paolo Emilio Russo called the ban “crazy”.

Rapinese has refused to reverse the measure.

“In other cities, a child ends up in hospital and then the politicians take action,” he said. “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.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev