Florence Bans Golf Carts, Rickshaws in UNESCO Historic Centre to Curb Over-Tourism

Florence, Italy, has implemented a pioneering ban on bicycle rickshaws, electric golf carts, and other atypical tourist vehicles within its UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic center to combat overwhelming mass tourism and traffic congestion. The new regulations, enabled by regional law, prohibit unauthorized use of these vehicles, with enforcement by city police who will seize offenders, while allowing a limited fleet of 24 authorized electric tourist shuttles to operate on fixed routes under strict safety and operational criteria. City officials cited unsustainable congestion from approximately 15 million tourists annually, which has severely disrupted daily life for residents and threatened the preservation of Florence's cultural heritage. The ban aims to restore pedestrian-friendly spaces, reduce traffic chaos, and maintain the authenticity and decorum of Florence’s centuries-old streetscapes as part of a broader sustainable tourism plan. This decisive action makes Florence the first Italian city to adopt such comprehensive tourist transport regulations for its historic center, setting a potential precedent for other European cities facing similar overtourism challenges. Heavy penalties, including vehicle confiscation and authorization withdrawal, are established to ensure compliance and protect the city's fragile urban fabric.