Florence introduces incentive programme to promote cycling over driving

The City of Florence, Italy, has allocated €1.2 million to encourage residents to switch from cars to bicycles for their daily commutes. The initiative, launching on 3 June 2024 for one year, aims to promote sustainable and healthy transportation. 

Under the "Pedala, Firenze ti premia" programme, participants can earn up to €30 a month. They will receive 20 cents per kilometre cycled, plus 5 cents for each kilometre on "generic" bikes as long as they remain within the municipality of Florence. Existing commuter cyclists will also be rewarded, but new cyclists who switch from cars will receive slightly higher incentives.

Registration for the programme opened on 13 May through the Pin Bike app, where participants can receive an anti-fraud device to certify their bicycle usage. This device, along with a smartphone holder and signal lights, is being distributed to the first 2000 people who register. The technology ensures accurate monitoring and promotes the gamification of cycling routes to further encourage participation.

In addition to daily earnings, the City of Florence will offer a monthly bonus of €100 to the top 200 app users who earn the most points. Points can be accumulated not only by cycling but also by engaging in events and completing questionnaires, further incentivising sustainable commuting and community involvement.

Author: Carla Giaume

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.