by InTrieste
A local resident was issued a €1,200 fine and had her electric bicycle confiscated on Saturday after police observed her traveling along Trieste’s Barcola waterfront at a constant speed of 40 kilometers per hour—without pedaling.
According to municipal regulations and Italy’s national road code, electric bicycles classified as pedal-assisted vehicles (known as “velocipedi a pedalata assistita”) must meet specific requirements to be used legally on public roads. These include a maximum motor output of 0.25 kilowatts and a system that gradually reduces and ultimately cuts power assistance once the speed reaches 25 km/h—or if the rider stops pedaling. Any deviation from these technical standards effectively reclassifies the bicycle as a motor vehicle, subject to different regulations and penalties.
Local police on patrol from the Reparto Motorizzato unit noticed the unusual behavior during their routine monitoring of Barcola, an area known for its popular seaside promenade. “The rider maintained a steady 40 km/h for over a kilometer without once pedaling,” police said in a statement. Upon stopping the individual, officers determined that the bike in question did not comply with the legal parameters of pedal-assisted bicycles and initiated enforcement procedures.
The incident comes as part of an expanded safety and enforcement initiative launched on June 16 by the City of Trieste, aimed at maintaining order along the busy coastal stretch. Four daily patrols—two in the morning and two in the afternoon—now operate in the Barcola area as part of this heightened presence.
“The presence of our competent and vigilant local police is an important guarantee of safety for all road users,” said Caterina de Gavardo, Trieste’s Councillor for Public Safety. “This enhanced monitoring effort is specifically designed to ensure the peaceful enjoyment of our Barcola seafront by all citizens.”
The case is a reminder of the growing complexity surrounding new forms of micro-mobility and the evolving legal framework governing them. As electric bikes, scooters, and other devices become more common, authorities across Italy—and Europe—are increasingly focused on ensuring that these modes of transport remain safe and compliant with road laws.
