Italy's bicycle market set to grow by 60% - but drivers resist in Rome

Italy's bicycle market is predicted to grow by 60 percent by 2026, but motorists in Rome are resisting calls to trade in their cars and scooters for bikes as the capital seeks to reduce pollution and improve the health of its citizens.

Rome's mayor is following the lead set by other major European cities, by trying to encourage more people to cycle. Switching from driving to cycling can shrink a commuter's carbon footprint and help cities to improve their air quality and traffic flow.

However, less than five percent of Italians currently use their personal bike as their primary mode of transport, compared to 41 percent of people in the Netherlands. 

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"It's complicated and dangerous to cycle in Rome"

‌"In the center of Rome you have to travel by public transport which is so full, there are so many strikes, it's so dirty and unfortunately it's never on time. As a result, with COVID, I decided to switch to cycling and I still ride a bike to work," says Maria Conti, who uses her e-bike to commute to her office in the center of Rome. 

However, despite her commitment to cycling, Maria says it's still "complicated and dangerous" to ride a bike on the Italian capital's famously chaotic roads. 

‌More and more tourists are also choosing to check out Rome's famous sights on two wheels. One of many companies that have sprung up in recent years is Esbike Tours, which offers guided trips on electric bikes in several languages.

‌"The city, considering the level of culture for cycling, is still far behind many European capitals," says Mattia Capistrano from Esbike Tours. "But very slowly people are starting to get used to it because they're starting to understand that you cannot live in the midst of cars, in the midst of such wild traffic."

‌"It will be a very long process to educate people because in Rome, especially, people love cars, love comfort. And at this point I would say they love traffic,” added Capistrano.

$500m pledged to improve Italy's cycling infrastructure 

‌As part of its post-COVID recovery plan, the Italian government has pledged roughly $500 million to improve cycling infrastructure across the country. 

‌However, monitoring groups say the government has fallen far behind in terms of allocating and spending the funds. Until it catches up, local authorities will face an uphill battle to convince more people that cycling can be their primary mode of transport and not just a leisure activity.

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