"The government buys you a bicycle"

Kids, young folks and even younger ones, if you want a bicycle, that is the moment. It has started to function the incentives approved by the Ministry of Einvironment in accordance with the Manufacturers Association.
It has been approved a fund of 8.750.000 euro to be paid out during 2009 to whoever decides to buy a new bike. The agreement comprehend from electrical bicycles to "pedalata assistita", without the obligation of scrapping. So it is a novelty the discount for bikes. A boost to alternative ways to avoid traffic? To protect the environment? A help to the sector against the crisis? The decision can be interpreted in many different ways.
The discount is up to 30% of the listing price (hoping it is not changed by the vendors), ending at a maximum of 700 euro. The list of producers that have supported the agreement is available at the website of the Ministry, www.minambiente.it. There is the brand, listing price and discount already calculated. Then, to the buy the bike, its only necessary to go to an authorized vendor and show the "codice fiscale" or Iva, and one person can buy up to three bikes.
So, if you want a bike, go ahead and pedal!