VALENCIA and Sevilla are the best cities in Spain to ride a bike – and Madrid is the worst, according to the national consumer organisation OCU.
And nearly seven in 10 Spanish residents questioned said they thought their town and city halls should do more to encouraged two-wheeled transport.
The Mediterranean city of Valencia has done its bit – when new mayor Joan Ribó, of the left-wing regional party Compromís, got into power, he made his 'grand entrance' into the city hall on his first day by bike rather than chauffeur-driven car.
“I've always used my bike to get around Valencia, and that's not going to change just because I'm the mayor,” he said at the time, back in June 2015.
Ribó is one of the 12% of residents in Valencia city whose main mode of transport is a bicycle – either their own or one of the on-street bike-hire cycles which can be picked up, used and dropped off at the various distribution points.
Sevilla is credited with the best cycle-path network and the most efficient and convenient on-street bike-hire scheme, putting it at the top of the list along with Valencia for the most bicycle-friendly cities in Spain.
Madrid has excellent cycle paths, say those interviewed, but the majority are in the outer suburbs, and high pollution levels make it dangerous to travel on two wheels.
Also, the high volume of traffic, the lack of a decent bike-hire scheme and an absence of cycle racks or designated parking areas in public spaces mean Spain's capital is the last place fans of two-wheeled transport would seek to indulge their hobby or opt for their favourite mode of transport.
Accident and theft risk are among the reasons those who do not go cycling cite as barriers – in fact, 26% of cyclists have suffered accidents and 29% have had their bikes stolen in the last five years.
In Sevilla, despite this being the joint favourite city for cyclists, 33% of bikers have suffered accidents in the past five years and the biggest complaint so far has been about the infrastructure being poorly maintained.
Other cities have their points in favour and their drawbacks, according to the OCU survey: in Bilbao in the Basque Country, it is too cold and there are too many hills, although those who are prepared to brave both will have the least trouble of all taking their bikes on public transport.
Murcia has the worst cycle-path network, with poor, absent or confusing signposts, and paths which are the least safe and the most uncomfortable – despite which, a very high percentage of residents use their bikes for transport.
Barcelona has great cycle routes and an efficient, comfortable bike-hire scheme, meaning overall it is rated highly as a two-wheeled city – but problems include safety, traffic volume and the fact that some of the cycle paths occupy parts of pavements, meaning constant 'arguments' with pedestrians.
Palma de Mallorca's weather and layout is ideal for cycling, but badly-maintained cycle routes have been criticised, whilst Zaragoza is said to have excellent cycle paths, although these are badly linked up between each other.
Málaga suffers from poor cyclist infrastructure, meaning – like Barcelona – bikes compete with pedestrians for pavement space, whilst in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with the best biking weather of all, the layout is not conducive to cycling much, biking routes are scarce and many cyclists have problems taking their bikes on buses and trains.
Overall, however, Spain is one of Europe's most cycling-friendly countries, despite being the second-most mountainous on the continent after Switzerland – although some bikers would say this is a plus point rather than a drawback.
Large swathes of barely-inhabited countryside inland from the coast mean excellent scenery and clean air, and except in the sweltering heat of summer, the weather is ideal for cycling – on the Mediterranean and south coast, it is not too cold even in winter.
