For one Sunday in September, South Tyrol’s provincial capital, Italy’s most bike-friendly city, will be closed to motorised traffic
Bolzano's inhabitants already cover 29% of their daily journeys by bike, making use of the numerous cycle paths that connect almost all points and districts of the town. The 8 main routes lead along the Talvera and Isarco rivers and connect important sights and destinations such as the Bolzano Trade Fair and the hospital. Sections that are still missing are in planning or in the realisation phase. Cycle counting stations, information signs and cycle pump stations complete the 50 km long Bolzano cycle network, which has already won several awards.
Every year around September 20, Bolzano turns into a completely car-free town: During the Bolzano Cycling Day - "Bozner Radtag" in German, "Bolzano in bici" in Italian -, it remains closed to motorised traffic from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. On this day you can discover the town in complete peace and safety, or you can take part in the "Stadtlerrennen" (Townsmen Race), which leads through all of Bolzano's quarters and ends on the Talvera Meadows, the green lung of the town. There are games and fun for the children at various locations such as the Capuchin Park or the Semirurali Park. The event has been organised for more than 25 years.
