Como's bike ban: a blunt answer to a modern problem

The mayor of Como, Alessandro Rapinese, has banned bicycles from the lakeside city's walled historical centre after he was struck by an electric bike, according to the BBC and the Guardian. Rapinese said the prohibition was for public safety, adding that he knows "what it's like to be hit by one of these beasts."

The ban, which comes into force this week, has prompted a public backlash. Critics accuse the mayor of waging a personal vendetta against cyclists, a charge Rapinese denies. The decision highlights the growing tension in Italian cities between preserving historic streets and accommodating modern forms of transport.

For Piemonte's capital, Turin, the episode offers a cautionary tale. The city has invested heavily in cycling infrastructure and pedestrian zones, but the Como controversy underscores the challenges of balancing mobility with the protection of fragile urban heritage.