To guarantee a harmonious relationship between the users of the public highway, travel with caution and respect for the other people who are travelling around you. And, if necessary, set down your bicycle and walk. Let’s enjoy the public space together. Then we’re all winners.
By bike
Riding a bike is synonymous with a healthy life and respecting the environment. On a bike, you travel at your own pace, you get physical exercise, you are not generating pollution or noise, you free up public space and you save time and money.
For longer journeys, you can combine the bicycle with public transport. Cycling in Barcelona is a good option for your errands and daily activities. Because the bike is changing how we move around the city.
There are more than 200 km of cycle lanes available to you, offering a comfortable, safe space for bicycle users. There are also many bike parking stands on the public highways, signage, traffic lights, and lane separators/dividers etc. to protect you from motorists.
However, in some areas, such as cycle lanes on the pavements, pedestrian-only zones and one-platform streets, you share the space with pedestrians, who are the most vulnerable group.
Cycle lanes of Barcelona
Four items on cycling in Barcelona
An area of 101.9 km2
Barcelona is a dense, compact city with a Mediterranean climate, covering an area of 101.9 km2. These characteristics make it an ideal city for travelling by bike, as the majority of journeys are of short or medium distance. And when it comes to covering a larger area, we can combine it with public transport.
Bicing and Bicing electric
Since 2007, Barcelona has had a shared public bicycle service: Bicing. It includes a network of 420 stations, 6,000 bicycles and over 106,000 subscribers (information from June 2018). At the same time, the Bicing electric network allows for longer or uphill journeys. This network is distributed over 41 stations in vehicle parks and 5 stations above-ground.
More cycle lanes
In just a few years, Barcelona has incorporated an extensive network of urban cycle lanes, which has motivated the increase in new bicycle users in all the city districts: from the mountain neighbourhoods to the maritime areas, from Llobregat to Besòs. The cycling infrastructure, with the addition of sections of cycle lanes and roads (30-streets, one-platform or pedestrian zones), means that cycling mobility is accessible to everyone. By the end of 2018, the city will have over 200 km of cycle lanes, and everyone will have a cycle lane less than 300 metres from their house.
Mobility advice for those travelling by bike
- Respect other road users and the traffic priorities in every situation.
- Park your bike preferably in the stands or the underground parking designed for this vehicle. You must take more care at pedestrian crossings without traffic lights.
- To travel safely, use safety elements (bells, lights and reflectors, if you are travelling by night) and remember that those under 16 must wear a helmet. For everyone else, the use of a helmet is highly recommended.
- Although it is not mandatory, civil liability insurance is recommended.
- Bicycles are allowed on public transport, in some cases during specific time bands which vary according to the operators involved.
- Always keep your bicycle in good condition: tyres, brakes and lights.