General Information » Getting Around » Bicycle

Bicycles are an increasingly common way of getting around. There are more than 60 kilometres of dedicated bike lanes, and the city plans to raise this to 200 kilometres in near-term. Helmet use is recommended, but not mandatory. And, you'll need a lock, or two, to ward off potential thieves.

Visitors can hire bicycles from any number of places, including Budget Bikes (93 304 18 85 / Carrer del Marquès de Barberà, 15 / www.budgetbikes.eu) and Barna Bike (93 269 02 04 / Pas Sota la Muralla, 3 / www.barnabike.com). The Barcelona tourism office (www.barcelonaturisme.com / 93 285 38 32) has a list of bike rental companies, recommended sight-seeing routes and information about their affiliated Barcelona Bici organization.

For residents, a new bike-sharing program, bicing (www.bicing.com; 902315531), was launched in March 2007. Annual membership is €24 a year, and you have access to 1,500 bicycles parked at 100 stations around the city. You can use the bikes for a maximum of two hours; the first half-hour is free and then you're billed 30 euro cents per half hour.

For maps, safety regulations and general information, go to the Barcelona Ajuntament site (www.bcn.cat/bicicleta/en) or call the Comissió Cívia de la Bicicleta at 93 402 75 04.