Bicing: subscription

What do you need to know?

Bicing is a public transport system based on the shared use of bicycles which are made available to the public to move around the city of Barcelona.

It is a simple, practical and sustainable service which can be used as a means of transport to get from one place to another and is an ideal complement to the city’s traditional public transport for making short daily journeys.

Bicing is not a public system for hiring bicycles for tourist or recreational use. Therefore, if you want to hire a bicycle to do a tourist route around Barcelona or go on a long trip, you need to look for other alternatives.

VERY IMPORTANT:

When you purchase membership for Bicing you get a subscriber card, but you can actually use the service with your mobile phone if you download the Smou app. This app works for Bicing and other mobility services in Barcelona.

Subscription gives the user the right to use the bicycles for 30 minutes for each journey, as many times as are necessary on the same day. If you exceed 30 minutes, you have to pay for the time spent, up to a maximum of two hours per trip.

There are traditional bicycles and electric bicycles.

The service operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. 

With the Smou app or through the website, you can consult the availability map showing the stations in operation and see bicycle and parking availability at each station in real time.

Who does it apply to?

It is aimed at anyone over 16 years of age.

What requirements must be met?

  • Having an identity document accepted in Spain: DNI or identity number for foreign nationals (NIE).
  • Being over 16 years of age.
  • In the case of those who are 16 or 17 years of age, an authorisation signed by their mother, father or legal guardian is an essential requirement for registration.

How long is it valid for?

It can be requested at any time and expires after one year.

What do you need to do?

The application to subscribe to the Bicing service can be made:

  • online via the Smou app, or
  • in person, by going to the Subscriber Services Office.

16 and 17 year-olds must complete the formality in person, as they must give the office an authorisation signed by their mother, father or legal guardian.

What steps must you follow?

ONLINE

Step 1: Fill in the registration form
  • You need to access the Smou user area from the website or Smou app and register. Once you have accessed it, you will need to go to the “Services” section and click on “Activate Bicing”: choose your rate, enter your data and follow the steps for paying. 
  • Once you have paid, you will receive an e-mail confirming registration.  
    Step 2: Receive your welcome pack at home
    • You will receive the welcome pack for the service, including your subscriber’s card.
    • Until you receive your card, you can use the Smou app to use bicycles from our new Bicing service. 
    Step 3: Activate the card
    • Once you have got the card, access the Smou area again from the website and activate it in the “Activate card” section, within Bicing in the “Services” section. 

    IN PERSON

    Step 1: Request an appointment and go to the BSM citizens information point
    • BSM citizens information points (at c. Calàbria, 66 and at Barcelona Nord Bus Station, c. Alí Bei, 80) will only process formalities in person with an appointment. You can also book a day and time by calling 938 875 034, selecting the appointment option.
    • When you are at the information point, hand over all the documentation required to subscribe to the service and pay the fee.
    Step 2 and 3: Same as in the online processing

    Who can submit the application?

    The application can be submitted by:

    • People of legal age.
    • 16 and 17 year-old minors who have an authorisation signed by their mother, father or legal guardian.

    What documentation is needed?

    • If of legal age
      • Original or photocopy of your DNI or identity number for foreign nationals (NIE).
      • Bank card compatible with the secure Internet shopping protocol.
    • If you are 16 or 17 years of age
      • Original or photocopy of the DNI or identity number for foreign nationals (NIE) of the minor and the legal guardian making the registration.
      • Original or photocopy of the family book or birth certificate where the legal guardians’ and minor’s details appear.
      • Authorisation signed by the mother, father or legal guardian.
      • Bank card compatible with the secure Internet shopping protocol.
      • Conditions for use of the service, signed by the legal guardian.

    How long does it take?

    You will receive the welcome pack for the service, including your subscriber’s card, approximately 10 working days after the application. If this time passes and you have not received it, call the freephone number 900 315 531.

    What does it cost?

    Two rates (anual fee) are available for subscribing to the service: flat rate or the pay per use (occasional) rate . 

    • Flat rate, if you expect you are going to use it fairly often during the year: 50 euros/year.  
    • Occasional-use rate, if you will be using it once in a while: 35 euros/year. 

    Want to know more?

    Body is responsible for the formality

    Ecology, Urban Planning, Infrastructure and Mobility Department (Barcelona City Council).

    Further information

    You can check the Bicing website (available in Catalan and Spanish).

    Our website on bicycles provides you with further information on cycling through the city of Barcelona.

    Important linked formalities

    If you wish to subscribe to Bicing, you must get an identification number beforehand, which, depending on the case, can be acquired through:

    IMPORTANT NOTICE

    The procedures tend to change frequently. Therefore, only what is provided by the regulations in force at the time of carrying out the procedure in question is applicable.