Como bans bikes in walled centre after mayor's e-bike collision

The mayor of Como has banned bicycles from the city's walled historical centre after being hit by one, a decision he says is for public safety but which critics are calling an overreaction. Alessandro Rapinese announced the ban this week, telling reporters he knows 'what it's like to be hit by one of these beasts,' according to the BBC. The measure comes into force immediately, affecting the narrow, crowded streets that draw millions of tourists each year.

The ban applies to the entire historic core, a maze of cobbled lanes and piazzas that has become a magnet for visitors since the lakeside city's profile rose sharply in recent years. Rapinese, who was struck by an electric bike, has denied he is waging a personal vendetta against cyclists amid a public backlash, reported the Guardian. The decision has provoked fierce debate in a city where cycling is both a daily commute and a leisure activity for tourists.