The Urban Mobility Plan 2013-2018 is making progress with the roll-out of the city’s cycling infrastructure. The 20 km of lanes currently under construction will be operational by the end of the year and come as an addition to the existing 152 km. A further 61 km are due to be created next year.

Cyclable City

The criteria for building the cycling infrastructure revolves around the creation of a network of cyclable routes, from the sea to the mountains and from the Llobregat river to the Besòs. This means everyone can have access to safe routes to get anywhere by bike. The routes are made up of one-way, two-way and complementary bike lanes, zones with traffic calming and areas with 30 km/h speed limits, single lanes with priority for cyclists etc.

“We want a complete and connected cycling infrastructure which is practical, serves the whole city and guarantees safety for all means of transport”, noted the Councillor for Mobility, Mercedes Vidal.

The lanes are analysed case by case before and after their construction, adapting to each road section and the input and needs outlined by local residents. In the last few weeks a series of information sessions have been conducted in all districts to debate action carried out in each area.

Some of the most notable projects currently under way include the project to shift the bike lane in the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes onto the road surface, the first stretch being from C/ Vilamarí to C/ Aribau, and the transformation of the bike lane in C/ París and C/ Londres, with each street getting its own one-way lane in the direction of the Besòs river and the Llobregat river respectively.

Each user in their own space

The new lanes are built on the road surface and separated from traffic with paving and effective signage to ensure journeys can be made safely and comfortably, while being compatible with other forms of transport. Putting lanes on road surfaces means pedestrians do not wander onto them and frees up the pavements for pedestrians.

The new lanes currently under construction also feature a series of improvements, such as advanced sections for cyclists at traffic lights; the so-called ‘bike corners’ at junctions between lanes, designed as a protection zone for exclusive use by cyclists; painted lanes; and one-way bike lanes against the flow of traffic in zones with 30 km/h speed limits.