Barcelona cycling scheme

hudsons8

http://www.bicing.com/modulos/modulos.p ... D&Nw%3D%3D

While visiting Barcelona over the weekend every where you went people were on these Bicing bikes. After several attempts to gain access to these we found out it is a city wide network of bikes and lock ups which you join on line as a resident an for 12month blocks. You have a card you swipe to access a single bike.

Afraid the link is only in spanish or catalan but you get a feel for the scope of the project.

Just goes to show what can be achieved and how much we are being undersold by Government and Mayoral candidates.

alanmcn1

Paris has had this for a while now too

dirk_van_gently

Great article on the Paris scheme here:

http://citycycling.co.uk/issue34/issue34page4.html

hudsons8
...how much we are being undersold by Government and Mayoral candidates.

Oh come on, give em a chance, this does take a quantum leap in thinking. People have to get OUT of cars, heaven forbid :roll: . Having said that, have you ever tried to drive around Barcelona? The most terrifying experience you can imagine.

daniel_b

Yes I was pleasantly amazed by this scheme when we visited at the end of February.

Awesome how popular and taken for granted it is over there that people will use a bike.

I remember distinctly standing out on the balcony of our little apartment with a beer, and there was never a time when I couldn't see a cyclist.

As well as that great scheme, they have designated cycle lanes, for traffic each way, really well organised.

Traffic congestion never seemed a problem in or out of rush hour, due mainly, I imagine, to the number of people on buses, on bikes, or on motorbikes/scooters.

There is an English site here, but it's no longer updated: http://www.bicing.com/home/home.php?TU5fTE9DQUxJWkFDSU9ORVM%3D&MQ%3D%3D&ZW4%3D

Dan

A - W

I've seen this too, a great idea and a proper solution to the congestion problem.

helz

I've seen this in several other European cities too. Boris Johnson says he's been in negotiations to put a similar scheme in place in London for months. Not sure when it'll materialise but hopefully soon!

robmanic1

Didn't this get trialed somewhere in the UK? I understand it was scrapped because (suprise, suprise) the bikes kept getting half-inched.

Surf-Matt

Going there next week

daniel_b

Surf-Matt wrote:

Going there next week

You lucky bugger!

It's my favourite city 8)

If you want a really nice meal, don't forget to visit the four cats restaurant.

Dan

Surf-Matt

Cheers Dan - will seek it out

daniel_b

http://www.4gats.com/web.html

You can book online or in person, advisable on a Friday or Saturday.

If you book, means you get to go past the bar area and into the double height hall beyond.

Well worth it 8)

Dan

Surf-Matt

Cheers for that - most useful!

Spending most of the week in Llafranch, about an hour East/North of Barcelona - lovely little town with a great beach and a marina.

Also spending a night or two on this - the inlaws new Fisher 46 (this is before it was finished):



Can't wait

Anonymouslemming

Surf-Matt wrote:

Cheers for that - most useful!

Spending most of the week in Llafranch, about an hour East/North of Barcelona - lovely little town with a great beach and a marina.

Is that anywhere near Empuriabrava? Should be about an hour south(ish)... I'll be there at the same time