Road safety on the Gardesana: issues for cyclists in Salò
A significant increase in cycling tourism has led to road safety issues on the stretch between Salò and Limone, particularly along the busy Gardesana road. Traffic jams and slowdowns have become common due to the presence of cyclists, who also navigate the narrow tunnels, making it difficult for motorists to overtake. The situation is particularly critical north of Gargnano, where the “Meandro” tunnels have poor visibility, and many cyclists do not wear reflective vests or have rear lights on their bicycles. Various proposals to prohibit cyclist access in the tunnels have been put forward, but the responsibility for implementation lies with local authorities.
Additionally, the project for the cycling and pedestrian path from Salò to Limone has been canceled due to geological risks, leaving cyclists without alternatives and increasing tensions among road users. Currently, the only option remains the 45 bis “Gardesana occidentale,” which is used by both cyclists and motorists. Despite a steady influx of tourists and amateur groups throughout the year, the route of the cycling path is not considered a viable alternative by the cyclists themselves. Therefore, the realization of the cycling and pedestrian path is limited to the segment between Limone and Riva del Garda, with further developments on the Brescia side remaining uncertain.
