Milan – Bicyclists Have Free Rein As Milan Bans Private Cars

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    A cyclist pedals in downtown Milan, Italy, Monday, Dec. 28, 2015.  Milan has ordered Monday a no-car day to combat pollution, which has hit unhealthy levels for weeks mainly because no rain has fallen to wash away the smog. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)Milan – Bicyclists had free rein of Milan’s streets Monday during a six-hour ban on private cars in a bid to alleviate persistent smog.

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    Pollution levels in Italy’s business capital have exceeded levels considered healthy for more than 30 days straight, prompting officials to ban private cars from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday this week.

    Officials said private motorists, who risked steep fines, widely respected the ban on its first day.

    Rome, which is also battling smog, has been enforcing alternate day driving based on odd and even numbers on license plates, while Florence has announced limits on automobile access to the historic center through New Year’s Eve.

    The measures have been criticized as insufficient, with some calling for more incentives to use public transport, shutting off school heating systems during the winter break and urging citizens to turn down the heat at home. Milan’s Mayor Giuliano Pisapia said it was a necessary response to an emergency situation.

    “The ban under way has been, I would say, well respected,” Milan’s top transport official, Pierfrancesco Maran, said in a Facebook post. “In the meantime, it has to be said that the city has a magical atmosphere experienced on foot, bicycle and with public transport.”

    The lack of rain and winds has exacerbated pollution levels in Italy, particularly in the mostly land-locked and industrial northern Po River Valley where at least 10 cities have limited auto traffic in some way. Milan’s car ban falls during a holiday week, with many residents out of town and many businesses closed, and is accompanied by a measure that allows passengers to use public transport all day for 1.50 euros ($1.6) on what is normally a single-ride ticket.

    Health officials say vehicle emissions account for half of the pollution in Milan and 70 percent in Rome, and that the high pollution levels have increased reports of acute cardiovascular disease in recent days.
    A cyclist rides in Porta Venezia, Milan, Italy, 28 December 2015. Traveling by car will be banned for the next three days as Milan is experiencing smog brought about by the absence of wind and rain.  EPA/DANIELE MASCOLO


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    3 Comments
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    cbdds
    cbdds
    8 years ago

    yeah, let’s see how they expect people to ride on the many cobblestone streets. I also imagine lots of slips when there are both rain and trolley tracks.
    I also do not know but I assume taxis are exempt, they must be speeding and enjoying the situation.

    ralph1527
    ralph1527
    8 years ago

    See …. DeBlasio is not the only loony !!!!

    yaakov doe
    Member
    yaakov doe
    8 years ago

    They seem to have free rein in Brooklyn everyday running lights, going the wrong way and not having lights on at night. Has one ever received a ticket for traffic infractions?