The audit of the bike lane network in Palma evaluates the «conflict points» and proposes solutions for a future organized and efficient network.
Presented Phase I highlights the extraordinary increase in Bicipalma users and the need to implement corrective measures.
Palma, May 30, 2025.- The Deputy Mayor of Mobility, Toni Deudero, presented on Friday at a press conference Phase I of the study of the bike lane network in Palma carried out by the company Idom. In this phase, the «conflict points» of the network have been identified, to propose solutions to these conflicts in Phase II. After analyzing the 108 kilometers that make up the current bike lane network, the study has proposed preliminary solutions such as «eliminating as much as possible the high number of bike lanes located on sidewalks, increasing the current number of platforms at EMT stops, implementing new designs to ensure safe pedestrian access in the presence of EMAYA containers, and avoiding sections where trees disrupt the normal development of bike paths, among others.» The study-examination carried out in this first phase has concluded that Palma has 108.354 kilometers, of which 16.4% are bike paths, 24.6% are lane on the road, 35.4% are sidewalk lanes, shared lanes (sidewalk and road) make up 16.01%, and lanes in construction and intersections represent 6.2%. In addition, the study considers other factors such as the presence of Acire zones, streets limited to 30 km/h, 30 km/h lanes, and 30 zones, as well as Bicipalma stations and the presence of two virtual bike stations. Furthermore, according to Mitma, on a normal day, there are an average of 1,370,526 trips in Palma, with a minimum of 30,000 bike and scooter (VMP) trips. In this sense, the study on daily trips has focused on a stretch between Blanquerna and Bartomeu Pou streets, certifying that the daily intensities of cyclists and VMP range from 1,800 to 2,100 trips. The average of trips indicates that 50% of those circulating are VMP, 37% are bikes, and 13.9% are Bicipalma, although this last service has experienced extraordinary growth as in 2019 there were 389,000 trips, in 2024 a total of 1.2 million trips were recorded. The most demanded station is Parc de ses Estacions, which accounts for 5.5% of the total demand with an average of 11,242 uses per month.
Conflict Points
The Mobility councilor has warned about the presence of specific or conflict points in the current bike network «that need a solution. Among them, it is necessary to underline the presence of intersections, EMT stops, EMAYA containers, taxi stops, and trees.» Addressing the detected conflict points, the company, as explained by Frances Arechavala, project director at Idom, has raised various problems that need to be addressed in the future continuity of the bike lane network. In this regard, the study proposes the following:
a.- Intersections: Regarding intersections, it would be advisable to develop the bike network avoiding the implementation of new bike lanes on sidewalks and, as much as possible, modifying current routes on sidewalks to place them on the roads. A total of 77 intersections have been identified where the bike route loses continuity and shares space with pedestrians. It will be necessary to redesign these intersections to ensure safe and accessible circulation for all users of public space.
b.- EMT Stops: Currently, there are 867 EMT stops, of which 79 (9.1% of the stops) interact with the bike route network in Palma. The solution would be to increase the current number of platforms to enhance pedestrian safety.
c.- Containers: Regarding containers located on the streets, EMAYA currently has 3,121 container collection points, of which 1,653 are owned by EMAYA and 1,468 are private. Of this total, 118 container points interact with the bike lane, 94 from EMAYA and 24 private. The main conflict in this case is the widespread lack of pedestrian crossings that allow crossing the bike route to safely access the collection point. There are a total of 118 collection points that interact with the bike lane. It is necessary to propose a design that ensures safe and accessible access to collection points.
d.- Taxi Stops: Currently, out of the 89 taxi stops, none interferes with the bike route network.
f.- Trees: Trees, in some sections, interfere with the normal development of bikes and VMP. With this diagnosis, Deudero concluded, «the work of the audit is taking shape, and in Phase II, solutions will be collected to start scheduling them. Additionally, possibilities for increasing and expanding the kilometers of available bike lanes needed for Palma will be gathered.»
FUENTE