By June the new highway code will be in Parliament. But there is already talk of licence, plate, helmet and insurance for scooters and bicycles. It is the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini who anticipates the times and contents of regulations that have been expected for years and announced several times by various governments.
"A first measure – explains the minister – the result of discussions with experts and with the main associations is in the finishing straight, it will be the subject of discussion as early as June. These are punctual changes to the Highway Code and together with a law-delegation for the organic reform of the same Highway Code that we hope to bring shortly to the examination of these chambers".
RETROFRONT ON JUNE 12, 2023
According to the Minister of Transport Matteo Salvini the confusion was not his. The proposal for a mandatory helmet, insurance, plate and arrows would not concern the bicycle but only the scooters. It's a pity that in the classroom (the passage in the video is at 2:47) the leader of the League also made explicit reference to two wheels when he summarized some ideas for modifying the Highway Code.
In recent days, the protest by citizens, associations (Fairy tale in the lead) and the industry made itself felt, especially on the Social. In an interview released later to Free Salvini explained that the news will only concern electric scooters and should not also affect those who ride a bicycle. "We have already had the opportunity to send a detailed letter to the competent minister last March, through which - explained the president of Ancma Paolo Magri – not only have we underlined the value of the cycle sector, which in Italy generates a turnover of over 3,2 billion euros, but we have also highlighted that ours would be the only country in Europe where, among other things, the 'use of the bike is widely more widespread than in Italy, to introduce these obligations ".
The phrase "mandatory for scooters and bicycles" in our opinion did not leave room for many interpretations, but anyone has the right to change their mind, especially politicians. In this case, Salvini's sudden change of feeling makes us happy because, as written, the introduction of rules and further disbursements would have had little impact on safety and on the contrary would have discouraged the use of two-wheelers with pedals.
