The change of Bicimad, in its final step

For months now, Madrid has been proposing a change of course for its public bicycle rental system.

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
19 October 2022 Wednesday 02:33
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The change of Bicimad, in its final step

For months now, Madrid has been proposing a change of course for its public bicycle rental system. Last July, the Municipal Transport Company (EMT) put on the table the option of directly managing Bicimad. After proposing to improve infrastructure and increase the bicycle fleet to 7,500, October was considered the moment to take the definitive step towards public management.

This Monday, the municipal groups of PP and Ciudadanos, which make up the coalition government of the capital, have voted in favor of the opinion on the direct management of Bicimad by the EMT, for which it will be raised to plenary session for the final vote.

In addition to the improvements already mentioned, the public management of Bicimad would bring the service to the 21 districts of Madrid by 2023, connecting the Spanish capital in its entirety.

During the plenary session, the viability of the large increase in the number of Bicimad bicycles was also discussed. The new bike lane on Paseo de la Castellana has been set up as an example that Madrid still has a lot of room for growth in terms of cycling infrastructure and that there will be space for everyone.

Now Bicimad is moving towards its last phase of de-privatization. If the plenary session allows it and the EMT is capable of carrying out everything proposed, Madrid will enjoy a radical change in its bike rental service in 2023.