Italian cities ban cars to lower pollution

People in Rome, Milan and other Italian cities today got around on public transport, bicycles, on foot and even on horseback as car traffic was banned for several hours to lower air-pollution levels.

In Rome and Milan, however, fans going to the stadiums to watch soccer games were to be exempted from the ban, provided they could show a ticket if required.

In Rome, the ban started at 10am with Romans and tourists alike taking advantage of a sunny day and lack of traffic for walks, bike or horseback rides.

The restriction, originally scheduled to last eight hours, eventually was cut to five hours.

In Milan, the country’s financial capital, the ban went from 9am to midday and then was to resume from 3pm to 6pm.

Smaller cities such as Brescia, Bergamo and Como also adopted similar bans.

Italian cities are trying to find ways to curb pollution levels by restricting use of private vehicles.

Rome and Milan are testing a measure that bans cars with even- or odd-numbered licence plates on alternate Thursdays.