Starting this September, cyclists in the Italian city of Como will be prohibited from riding through approximately 30 streets in the historic walled city center. Under the new regulations, individuals on both traditional bicycles and e-bikes must dismount and walk their vehicles while traversing these designated zones.

Mayor Alessandro Rapinese, who introduced the measure, cited a personal experience of being hit by a bicycle as a primary motivation for the policy. The announcement has triggered immediate backlash from local resident groups and political figures across the ideological spectrum. Critics of the ban argue that the policy is a reactionary move driven by the mayor’s personal grievance rather than sound urban planning. In response to the mandate, local activists have organized a petition demanding that the mayor rescind the rule, arguing that it unfairly restricts mobility in the city center. While the mayor maintains the ban is necessary for safety, opponents characterize the move as a personal vendetta against cyclists.