Crossing Barcelona on two wheels has become a daily ritual for thousands of residents looking to avoid traffic and feel the city breeze on theirfaces. However, in recent days, finding one of the sought-after electric models at the usual docking stations has become a very difficult task, sparking frustration among a community of users who rely on this system for their daily commutes.
Service officials have confirmedthat the intense summer heat is directly affecting battery performance, which has drastically reduced the number of operational vehicles on the streets. To address this temporary setback, a contingency plan has already been put in place to minimize disruptions and restore normal operations, just as the system prepares to handle the fastest growth in its history.
The heat is emptying the stations
The controversy began to surface a few weeks ago, when many users took to social media to express their frustration with a service that isn’t working. Empty stations, an app showing dozens of stations out of service within ever-widening radii, and—just as frustrating—dozens of bikes parked at stations but displaying the exasperating red light indicating they’re out of service.
In response, City Hall has explained on social media that the main headache for users these days is strictly weather-related. The high temperatures the city is experiencing are temporarily damaging some of the batteries in the electric fleet. This technical issue has led to a noticeable drop in the number of bikes available for use in the neighborhoods.
In light of this situation, which is hampering mobility in the capital, an emergency strategy has been activated with the goal of reducing the impact of the breakdowns, repairing the affected units, and returning as many electric bikes as possible to the public as soon as possible. For now, therefore, no further details have been released regarding the specifics of the contingency plan.
A 50% increase on the horizon
This setback coincides with a period of record numbers for urban transportation. Demand continues to rise, to the point where each bike currently makes more than seven trips a day. This intensity of use has made Bicing the second-most-used public bike-sharing system in the world.
In response to this public success, the city plans to add 4,000 more bikes over the next few years. This will increase the fleet from the current 8,000 bikes to a total of 12,000, representing a 50% increase. Currently, the fleet consists of 5,000 electric models and 3,000 mechanical ones, a ratio designed to prioritize pedal assistance.
In addition to adding more vehicles to the streets, the service is preparing to expand beyond its current boundaries and move into the city’s higher elevations. The expansion plan calls for the installation of more than 74 new stations, with a particular focus on the hillside neighborhoods, where electric bikes are becoming even more essential to help residents navigate Barcelona’s steepest slopes.
