The two wheels make their way in the Italian cities: bicycles, single -sections and motorcycles become protagonists of urban mobility. However, cars and traffic remain sovereign. The ninth Focus2r relationship of Legambiente reveals data, progress and critical issues of a sector in transformation
Two wheels: what a passion!
Urban mobility is located at the center of a crucial transformation, with two wheels – bicycles, monopathies and motorcycles – which acquire an increasingly relevant role in the development plans of Italian cities.
However, the undisputed domain of cars continues to represent a complex challenge. The ninth relationship of‘Focus2r Observatorypromoted by ANCMA (National Association of Accessories Motorcycle Cycle) and Legambiente, offers an in -depth analysis of local policies dedicated to cyclists and motorcyclists, presenting a complete overview of data, progress and gaps.
Bicycle: growth between lights and shadows
Pedal mobility records a constant improvement, even if not homogeneous in the area. In 2023, the average availability of cycle paths in the Italian capitals reached 11.02 meters per 100 inhabitants, a growing figure compared to 10.49 meters of 2022 and with an increase of 53.7% compared to 2015.
Reggio Emilia stands out as a virtuous model, with over 48 meters of cycle paths per 100 inhabitants, followed by cities such as Cosenza, Lodi, Cremona and Cesena. At the opposite extreme, Vibo Valentia records just 0.12 meters, accompanied by L’Aquila, Salerno, Naples and Avellino, who remain tail lights.
The access of bicycles to public transport gradually improves. Today, the transport of bicycles on public transport is allowed in 63.3% of the cities (growing compared to 57% in 2022), although in 30.6% of cases they are limited to folding bicycles.
On the car parks front, the situation remains insufficient: only 4% of the cities offer more than 45 stalls per thousand inhabitants, while most capitals (51%) arrange between 1 and 15. Bologna, Milan and Florence guide the ranking With respectively 1,500, 1,500 and 1,200 seats available in the interchange car parks at the railway stations, while cities such as Campobasso, Isernia and Perugia remain in the last places.
Il boom del bike sharing
Bike sharing (bicycle sharing) continues to grow, recording an increase of 16.3% in the number of bicycles available. The free flow system (free flow), which allows you to take and leave the bicycles in any place allowed without fixed stations, dominates the sector, representing 79.4% of the total offer, with over 33,700 bicycles available.
Milano It is confirmed as leader with almost 15,000 bicycles, followed by Rome (6,000), Florence (4.153), Turin (2,800) and Bologna (2,300). These five cities represent 70% of the entire bike sharing fleet in Italy. Milan also leads by number of withdrawals, with over 5 million, followed by Florence, Bologna and Rome, which exceed 2 million each.
On the security front, 25.3% of Italian municipalities identified as a priority the need to improve cycle infrastructures, although a considerable share (29.3%) checks again to this need for a medium-low priority. Among the measures adopted, tools such as the marking (the application of a single identification code on the bicycle to dissuade theft and facilitate their recovery in the event of subtraction) and the anti -theft registration (the insertion of the bicycles on an official database to trace them) are active only in 25% of the cities.
An interesting trend concerns the increase in municipalities that promote the use of cargo bikes (bicycles designed for the transport of heavy or voluminous loads, often equipped with cassones or platforms) in the context of the logistics of the last mile (the final segment of distribution of goods, or the delivery directly to the consumer). This figure grew significantly, going from 51 municipalities in 2021 to 64 in 2023, demonstrating growing attention to sustainable solutions for urban transport.
Electric scooters: a success “Concentrate”
Electric scooters are experiencing rapid expansion, while remaining mainly concentrated in large urban centers. In 2023, 44.2% of Italian cities said they ordered a sharing service for these vehicles.
Rome leads this revolution with a fleet of 13,500 single -scans and over 7.4 million annual uses, confirming itself as the most dynamic center in terms of shared electric mobility. Milan follows in second place, with 5,250 vehicles available and a volume of about 2.8 million uses per year. Turin and Palermo occupy the third step of the podium respectively, offering 3,500 vehicles each, although they did not provide official data on the extent of the uses.
Motorcycles: growth and criticality
The two -wheeled motor market continues to grow, with an increase in the density of 12.5 motorcycles per 100 inhabitants in 2017 to 14.53 in 2023. Imperia, Livorno, Savona, Genoa and Pesaro emerge like cities with the largest number of per capita motorcycles, all with over 26 vehicles per 100 inhabitants.
Access to ZTL is allowed in 55% of cities, while only 13% allow access to lanes reserved for public transport. In some cities such as Turin, Parma and Taranto, access is guaranteed for most lanes, while in others like Bologna and Pavia it is limited to certain areas.
On the parking front, Florence stands out with 96 stalls for motorcycles per thousand inhabitants, followed by Aosta (86) and Imperia (62). Instead, cities like Naples, Agrigento and Padua offer extremely limited availability. In 2023, eight municipalities – including Bergamo, Modena and Verona – approved the creation of new parking spaces for motorcycles, contributing to the overall increase in places available from 118,000 in 2022 to 121,000 in 2023.
The Sharing sector, on the other hand, records a slight drop, with the number of municipalities that offer this service that came from 13 to 11. Milan Guide with 2,994 scooters available, followed by Rome (1,488) and Turin (400). In Cosenza, the only case in Italy, a sharing service for thermal motor scooter is still active.
Safety: a forgotten priority
The protection of motorcyclists and the promotion of safe driving conditions continue to be underestimated by many local administrations. Only 6% of Italian municipalities said they attribute a very high level of priority to road safety for motorcycle drivers, recording a significant drop compared to 10% detected in 2022. This figure highlights a worrying trend, especially considering that motorcyclists They represent a category particularly exposed to risks of serious accidents.
The infrastructures designed to reduce the dangers on the roads, such as the protective guardrails designed to minimize the damage in the event of a fall or impact, remain lacking. Only 28.1% of municipalities have these devices, a value that has not shown progress compared to the previous year, demonstrating a immobility that contrasts with the growing diffusion of two -wheeled vehicles.
This situation reflects a lack of perception of the urgency to intervene to improve road safety, both through structural interventions and through awareness campaigns. The lack of attention to these aspects not only brings the lives of those who use motorcycles and scooters at risk but also limit the potential of two wheels as a means of alternative transport, especially in a context in which sustainable mobility should represent a strategic priority.
In short, the Focus2r report highlights a complex and fragmented framework of two -wheeled urban mobility in Italy. Despite significant progress, cars domain and infrastructure deficiency continue to represent important obstacles. The transition to a system of more sustainable mobility It requires integrated policies, targeted investments and a vision that focuses on the safety and needs of people.