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Kudos! You know what's missing from these streetscapes? As with most European cities that date back to the middle ages — trees!

@lieutenant-kije.bsky.social

When first announced, the reaction was immediate and fierce. Taxi drivers warned of gridlock. Motorists staged protests. Politicians denounced it as a war on cars. Critics predicted longer journeys, economic disruption, and widespread backlash. Two years later, the data tells a very different story.

Brian Lemaire

Now I see trees.

In the first year, road fatalities fell by 49%, dropping to just 10 deaths citywide. Most notably, for the first time since 1991, not a single pedestrian was killed. Crashes declined by 13%, injuries fell by 11%, and the most severe collisions requiring emergency “code red” responses dropped by 31%.

According to the municipality’s first-year assessment, traffic pollution fell by 29%, while overall traffic counts declined by 5%. These reductions contributed not just to cleaner air but also to lower noise levels and improved public health outcomes, particularly for residents along busy corridors.

One of the most significant outcomes has been a measurable change in travel behaviour. The number of bicycle trips increased by 10% during the first year, while bike-sharing use surged by 69%. Car-sharing trips increased by 44%, and urban journeys on Bologna’s metropolitan rail network rose by 31%.

Susan Grey

@susanjgrey.bsky.social