Cycling on sidewalk ban in Barcelona comes into effect

Riding a bicycle on most of Barcelona's sidewalks is forbidden in most of the cases as of January 1, 2019.

The new regulation on bikes in the Catalan capital came into effect with the New Year's Day, and it bans them from pavements, except for the ones wider than five meters and with at least three of free passage.

Night exception

Other exceptions include riding at night (10pm to 7am), when it is allowed to cycle on sidewalks wider than 4.75 meters and with more than three of free passage.

Cyclists under 12 and the adults riding with them are the only ones who can cycle in any sidewalk, always taking into account that the priority is for pedestrians at all times.

Maximum speed on sidewalks

The other exceptions for the ban are the sidewalks with bicycle tracks or spaces prepared to cycle, but in these case the maximum speed is 10km/h, like on any sidewalk where bikes are allowed.

According to a local government official, this new regulation aims to avoid "conflicts" between cyclists and pedestrians.

Making bicycles ride on the road, and hardly ever on a sidewalk, also transforms the Catalan capital into a "cyclist" city, also says the same source. "We need to put bikes in its place."

Fines of up to 500 euros

The first thirty days with the new regulation into effect cyclists not abiding by are not being fined, but after this transition period, fines can be up to 500 euros.

Cycle tracks

The local council says that 90% of the people living in Barcelona has a cycle track within 300 meters, and it also claims that the city has now 204km of such tracks, 72% more than three years ago.