Barcelona by Bike

Bicing: How it Works.

Barcelona's public bike program, Bicing, is geared more toward residents, not out-of-towners. Taking part has a few complications. First, you need to pre-order a Bicing card from www.bicing.com (in Spanish), which costs €24 per year or €1 per week (the weekly card is available from July only). The card will be mailed to you. You'll be asked for a credit card number, so that Bicing can charge you €150 if you keep the bike more than 24 hours.

To pick up a bike, swipe your Bicing card at one of the bike stations scattered around the city. An automated system will tell you which bike to take. Once you adjust the seat and make sure the brakes are working, off you go. You can use the bike for a maximum of two hours before returning it to any station.

The program works out to be really cheap. The first 30 minutes of use are free and each additional half-hour is billed at €0.30.

Mayor Jordi Hereu called the plan 'innovative and healthy' and said it will 'contribute to a friendlier and safer environment'.

That depends on cyclists following the rules. So if you ride in the street, obey traffic laws. When cycling on pedestrian streets in the old city give walkers the right of way. You should walk your bike on sidewalks (though not many people actually do this). And never tie your bike to a tree, lamp post or other non-designated spot; you could be punished with a steep fine.

The Route

This route could take an hour or a day, depending on how often you stop and how fast you ride. If you have a rental bike, you'll find bike parking along the route. If you're using a Bicing bike, bike stations operative as of May are marked with a star (*), while stations not being unveiled until July are marked with two stars (**).

Start at Plaça Catalunya**, the gateway to the ciutat vella (old city). Pedal toward Portal de l'Angel, a commercial street wide enough to accommodate throngs of shoppers as well as a few cyclists - providing you're fairly adept at crowd weaving. Before long you'll come to the cathedral*. Dart up the left-hand side, along Carrer dels Freneria, passing the temptingly shady plaza of Frederic Marès museum and medieval Plaça del Rei.

Hang a left on Carrer del Call, then cross busy Via Laietana*. Zip down Carrer de l'Argenteria into the heart of Born district, most of which is pedestrianised. Circle to the right around Catalan Gothic Basílica de Santa María del Mar, which deposits you onto Passieg del Born*. From here, turn right on Carrer del Comerç to reach multi-lane Avinguda Marqués de l'Argentera, where there is a very safe bike lane. Turn left and roll into verdant Parc de la Ciutadella, an ideal place for a rest. The park's exterior is surrounded by Bicing stations*.

Backtrack down Marqués de l'Argentera and make your way left - there are bike lanes here - to reach the old fishermen's quarter, La Barceloneta*. Passeig Joan de Borbó* is ideal for cycling, but only borders the neighbourhood. For a real visit, turn left toward La Barceloneta's narrow streets. Weave your way toward central Plaça de la Font*, home to newly rebuilt Mercat de la Barceloneta (fresh market). A bike-friendly pedestrian street heads out of the plaza and directly to the Mediterranean promenade*. You could bike your way northeast along the coast for several kilometres, stopping at beaches or the countless cafes around Port Olímpic.

When you're ready to return to Plaça Catalunya, pick up the bike lane that begins near Port Olímpic and takes you all the way to Port Vell and Las Ramblas**. Avoid Las Ramblas' tourist-clogged pedestrian promenade and bike up the street itself, which is surprisingly calm due to new traffic regulations. In no time at all, you'll be back in Plaça Catalunya.