Cycling or walking to work in Spanish cities

Key rules

• Best cities: Flat cities such as Sevilla, Valencia, Zaragoza and Vitoria-Gasteiz are the easiest places to commute by bike.
• Summer heat: Above 35°C is common from June to September in the south and inland, so ride early or late, or use an e-bike.
• Helmet: Adults need a helmet outside built-up areas, and under-16s need one everywhere.
• Bikes on transit: Rules on bikes in trains and metro differ by operator, line and time of day, so check before you travel.
• Bike-share: Some systems, such as Bicing in Barcelona, are for residents only.

Is it realistic?

It depends mostly on the city. Flat cities with a connected bike network make cycling an easy daily choice. Hot or hilly cities can still work, but you will need to plan around the weather and the slopes.

Flat cities such as Sevilla, Valencia, Zaragoza and Vitoria-Gasteiz are the easiest. Sevilla has one of Spain's best connected bike-lane networks, at about 180 km.

Bike lanes and bike-share

Most larger cities have a bike-share system, so you can try commuting before you buy a bike:

• Sevilla: Sevici
• Barcelona: Bicing, for residents only
• Madrid: BiciMAD, which is electric
• Valencia: Valenbisi
• Zaragoza: Bizi
• San Sebastián: DBizi
• Bilbao: Bilbaobizi
• Pamplona: Biki
• Málaga: MálagaBici
• Palma: BiciPalma
• Valladolid: BiciVa

Córdoba and Vitoria-Gasteiz also have systems. Barcelona and Madrid have growing lane networks, and Madrid has a ring route called the Anillo Verde Ciclista. Operators and networks change, and some systems are for residents only, so check the city's own page before you rely on one.

Heat

In Sevilla, Córdoba, Madrid and Valencia, temperatures are often above 35°C from June to September. Midday cycling or walking is hard then. Most commuters ride early or late in the day, or use an e-bike so they arrive without sweating.

Hills and rain

Madrid (the slopes down to the Manzanares), Bilbao, Toledo, Granada, Málaga's hillsides, the uphill districts of Barcelona and Santander are hilly enough that an e-bike is a big help. Winter rain affects the north, including Bilbao, Santander and Santiago. Madrid and Burgos get cold.

Road rules for cyclists

Cyclists follow the national traffic rules, and your town may add its own, for example on riding on pavements.

• Helmet: Compulsory outside built-up areas, with exceptions for steep climbs, health reasons and extreme heat. Under-16s must wear one everywhere. In towns, adults are advised to wear one but do not have to.
• Speed: The general urban limit is 30 km/h on single-lane roads, and 20 km/h on roads with one lane and no pavement.
• Lights: A white front light, a red rear light and a rear reflector are compulsory at night, in tunnels and in poor visibility. Outside towns at night you also need reflective clothing.
• Phone and headphones: Do not use a phone while riding. Do not wear headphones that stop you hearing traffic.
• Alcohol: The limit is 0.25 mg/l in breath, the same as for other drivers.
• Position: You may ride two abreast. Use the bike lane where there is one.

Combining a bike with trains and metro

A bike plus transit often solves a long or hilly commute, but the rules vary by operator and line.

• Cercanías (Renfe commuter trains): Bikes are normally allowed free, in the spaces set aside for them and subject to capacity. Some areas limit bikes at peak hours.
• Regional and Media Distancia trains: Bikes usually go in a designated place, and some trains need a reservation.
• High-speed trains (AVE): The bike must be folded and bagged, up to about 120 x 90 x 40 cm.
• Madrid Metro: Bikes are allowed outside peak hours and on some lines, with restrictions.
• Barcelona Metro: Bikes are allowed on weekdays at off-peak times and all day at weekends.
• Other networks: Rodalies, FGC, Euskotren and Metro de Valencia each have their own rules.

A folding bike in a bag is generally accepted everywhere. E-scooters and large e-bikes often have different rules, so check before you travel.

Walking

Walking works best if you live close to work in a compact city centre. In the hot southern cities, plan your route through shade and go early or late in summer.

The questions below cover helmets, lights, bikes on trains and bike-share.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to wear a helmet when cycling to work in a Spanish city?

No, adults do not have to wear a helmet inside towns, though it is advised.

What lights do I need if I cycle home in the dark?

You need a white front light, a red rear light and a rear reflector at night, in tunnels and in poor visibility. Outside towns at night you also need reflective clothing. Do not use a phone or headphones that block your hearing while riding.

Can I take my bike on the train or metro for part of my commute?

Yes, on Cercanías trains bikes are normally free in the spaces set aside for them, subject to capacity and some peak-hour limits. Madrid Metro allows bikes outside peak hours and Barcelona Metro on weekdays at off-peak times and all day on weekends.

Can I use a city bike-share instead of buying a bike?

Yes, many cities have one, such as Sevici in Sevilla, Valenbisi in Valencia, Bizi in Zaragoza and BiciMAD (electric) in Madrid. Bicing in Barcelona is for residents only, so check who can join before you count on it.