Barcelona Expands Cyclist Infrastructure: Travessera de les Corts Bike Lane to be Extended
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain – The Barcelona City Council has given initial approval to the executive project for extending the Travessera de les Corts bike lane. This new 485-meter section will connect Joan Güell Street to Numància Street, providing continuity to the existing lane that runs between Gran Via de Carles III and Joan Güell.
Enhanced Safety and Priority for Cyclists
The extended bike lane will maintain the same bidirectional configuration as the currently operational section, located on the sea side of the roadway and segregated from traffic. However, this new segment introduces innovative measures aimed at prioritizing cyclists and enhancing their safety.
One of the key features will be the implementation of Advanced Bicycle Zones, also known as bike-boxes, at traffic lights. These designated areas will allow cyclists to position themselves ahead of motorized vehicles while waiting for a green light, granting them priority and increased visibility when starting. This initiative directly addresses the need for safer intersections and smoother traffic flow for cyclists.
‘Red Carpet’ for Conflictive Intersections
In addition to bike-boxes, the new bike lane will incorporate ‘red carpet’ markings painted on the asphalt at conflictive intersections, such as those at Vallespir and Numància streets. This visual cue is designed to reinforce the visibility and priority of cyclists, particularly during turns where they might otherwise be at risk from motor vehicles.
The current regulations already grant priority to bicycles over motor vehicles, even when vehicles are making right or left turns that intersect with the cyclist’s path. However, urban design plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance and cyclist safety. The ‘red carpet’ aims to clearly delineate this right of way. Specifically, at the turn from the vertical lane of Numància onto Travessera de les Corts, the bike-box will prepare the cyclist for departure, and the ‘red carpet’ will safeguard their turning path, allowing for a seamless connection between the two axes without being caught in motor traffic.
Technical Specifications and Additional Features
The new bike lane will be 2.70 meters wide, complemented by a 0.50-meter separation strip from the motor vehicle traffic lane. Standard safety elements will include recycled rubber pieces with reflective elements for lane segregation and flexible maroon bollards with reflective strips. Furthermore, 21 new inverted U-type bicycle parking spaces will be installed along the route to accommodate the growing number of cyclists.
Project Management and Timeline
BIMSA is responsible for managing the project, which has an execution budget of 386,000 euros. The project is currently in its public information phase, which will conclude on June 1st. Following the completion of all administrative procedures, construction of the new bike lane is anticipated to last approximately two months, further enhancing Barcelona’s commitment to sustainable urban mobility.
This extension is part of a broader strategy to encourage cycling in Barcelona, which has seen a 17% increase in bike lane usage over the past year. The city is actively working on completing its network of bike lanes, with the aim of promoting a healthier and more environmentally friendly mode of transport for its residents and visitors.
