The evolution of transport preferences in Barcelona
In the city of Barcelona, mechanical bicycles are losing their dominance on bike lanes to the growth of electric bicycles and scooters. According to the study ‘Cycling Radiography of Barcelona: Analysis of the use of bike lanes, count according to profiles’ carried out by the Bicycle Club of Catalonia (BACC), mechanical bicycles currently represent 39.06% of the uses of the bike lane, while that the combination of electric bicycles and scooters already represents 60.93% – electric bicycles represent 33.47% and electric scooters 27.46% –
The change in the Bicing service
This data is in line with the drastic decrease in the use of mechanical bicycles from the Bicing service, according to reports from Barcelona City Council. These reports indicate that electric bicycles represent 72.1% of uses, while mechanical bicycles only represent 27.9%. The BACC study reinforces this trend, showing that electric bicycles have a share of 80.9% and mechanical bicycles only 19.1%
The need for safe parking
The study also highlights that 67% of the modal share is made up of users of Bicing, folding bicycles and electric scooters. These means of transport generate fewer parking problems, since the Bicing has anchoring points and folding bicycles and scooters can be easily stored at homes and workplaces. Faced with this situation, the BACC raises the need to create a network of safe parking for bicycles, since it considers that the increase in folding bicycles is an indication of the lack of safe parking in the city.
Gender gap in the use of these means of transportation
The study also analyzes the gender gap in the use of these means of transportation. Currently, 32.6% of users are women, which represents a worsening compared to 35.6% in 2021 and 34% in 2022. The BACC highlights the importance of reviewing the design of infrastructure with a perspective gender to make it more inclusive
Conclusion
In summary, the use of mechanical bicycles is decreasing in Barcelona, while electric bicycles and scooters are gaining popularity. The Bicing service has also experienced a significant change, with greater use of electric bicycles compared to mechanical ones. In addition, the need for safe parking for bicycles and the importance of addressing the gender gap in the use of these means of transport is highlighted.