Italy’s two‑wheeler boom is hitting the brakes as authorities tighten rules on e‑bikes and electric scooters.
- After a wave of illegal scooter rentals, lawmakers introduced stricter licensing for shared e‑scooters.
- Now the focus shifts to “bicivelox” – high‑speed e‑bikes that can exceed 45 km/h, which many cities deem unsafe.
- Police in several municipalities started issuing hefty penalties, some reaching €15,000, to owners of unregistered or non‑compliant models.
- Data shows Italy has about 1.8 million electric bikes, yet in many cities up to 80% operate outside the law.
The crackdown aims to bring order to a market that’s growing faster than its regulations.