Barcelona is one of the major cities in southern Europe with the most sustainable mobility percentages. Barcelona is growing day by day in terms of ecology and sustainability, which is why its cycle lane system has been extended to such an extent that cycling has become one of the most common ways of getting around the city. Eighty per cent of the city’s citizens move around in an ecological and shared way, and only 20 per cent use private vehicles. Cyclists live in this large main portfolio, which already has around 350 kilometres of cycle lanes. Adding up all the routes, streets and cycle lanes suitable for cycling, Barcelona now has nearly 1,150 kilometres of cycling routes available to its citizens.
Recommended routes on Barcelona’s cycle lane: Discover the city by bicycle
Within the Barcelona cycle lane network, we recommend different emblematic cycle routes in the city of Barcelona:
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Barcelona tourist route by bike: all of Barcelona’s most emblematic monuments are connected through the city’s bike lane network, which allows you to cycle around the city in a simple and pleasant way, where you can see places such as the Torre Glòries, the Mercat dels Encants, the Ciutadella, the Arc de Triomf, La Monumental, the Sagrada Familia, Sant Pau Recinte Modernista, La Pedrera, Casa Batlló, Plaza Catalunya and Plaza España, all of them in a row.
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Montjuïc by bike: a good route through the mountain of Montjuïc, located inside the city, is a top cycling plan during your stay in Barcelona. You can visit places with great views such as the National Art Museum of Catalonia, Montjuïc Castle, and emblematic gardens such as the Botanical Gardens and Joan Brossa.
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Barcelona beach by bike: there’s no better way to explore Barcelona’s beaches than by bike. The bike lane runs along the entire beach, from Barceloneta to beyond the Forum, more than 5km of Caribbean scenery.
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River Besós by bike: one of the most pleasant and easy bike rides is along the river Besós, located in the Sant Adrià area. Just at the end of the beaches of Barcelona, we find the mouth of the river, from where a route begins towards the interior of the city, full of greenery and all kinds of sportsmen and women.
Bicycle lane regulations in Barcelona: what you need to know
Cycling in Barcelona is considered safe, as there are regulated and controlled regulations that allow you to cycle in complete safety.
The most basic and important rules for cycling in Barcelona are as follows:
- The maximum speed for cycling in the cycle lane is 30 km/h. If the cycle lane is on the pavement, the maximum speed must be 10 km/h, always respecting pedestrian priority. On pedestrian streets, the maximum speed is 20 km/h, while in spaces reserved for pedestrians and parks the speed is reduced to 10 km/h.
- In night traffic or low visibility, it is necessary to turn on the lights, red light at the back and white light at the front.
- It is necessary to use the bell to warn of overtaking and also to alert pedestrians if they encroach on the road.
- It is not allowed to listen to music while riding in the cycle lane, and if this is not done, the fine is 200€. The regulation, made by the City Council, aims to make people more concentrated when cycling.
- Manoeuvres should be signalled sufficiently in advance, such as turns, overtaking and stops, so that they can be taken into account and an adequate safety distance ensured.
- Avoid riding on the pavement and only ride on it if it is more than 5 metres long. If the pavement is narrow or there are many pedestrians, you should get off the bike.
- When cycling, the basic traffic rules must be observed.
- You should preferably park your bike in the designated places and secure it with locks, tying it to the frame, both wheels and the seat.
- The use of helmets is compulsory for children under 16 years of age. For the rest of the population, it is not compulsory in the city, but it is highly recommended for greater safety.
How to rent bikes in Barcelona: Options and recommendations
If you don’t have a bike and you want to get around Barcelona in the healthiest and most sustainable way, we recommend different options.
If you live in Barcelona and want to get around by bike as a means of transport, the best option is to become a member of Bicing, the city’s public bicycle rental network. For an annual fee, you have access to a large number of bike stations throughout Barcelona, so you can move freely around the city, going from one point to another, without having to return the bike to the same place where you picked it up.
The city of Barcelona offers a wide variety of bike rental shops, most of them concentrated in central and busy areas, such as the beach, the Arc de Triomf and Plaza Catalunya.
At Twentytú Hostel Barcelona we rent bicycles to our guests for a very cheap price, and we offer guided bike tours around the city, passing by the most emblematic and important monuments of Barcelona. Contact us and book your bike tour in Barcelona with Twentytú Hostel.
