Tag Archives: pollution

Bicycle repairs and rental in Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the most beautiful cities to travel by bicycle with more than 200 kilometers of bike lanes, where you can enjoy a walk along the Mediterranean coast, through the Gothic streets or enjoy a day on the Collserolla mountain.

If you are still in doubt about repairing that old bicycle, or renting one to enjoy Barcelona on wheels, we leave you five tips that will help you make that decision.

  • Enjoy a safer ride

The bicycle is a safe vehicle, you will walk through the city of Barcelona enjoying great views and places, using the safety of the bike lanes.

  • Easier and simpler

Mobility by bicycle is easier than in other means of transport. Did you know that the bike is faster than the car in short and medium urban distances? Through several door-to-door competitions, with the city center as the destination, it has been found that, in general, the bike is the fastest transport. in addition to being faster in short distances, it is ideal to combine with public transport

  • Be more sustainable and collaborate with the environment

The bicycle is a key factor in reducing the levels of environmental and noise pollution in cities. An, at the same time, it is the most energy efficient means of transport: it uses twelve times less energy than a car, even if it is full, to move a person over a kilometer, and fifty times less than a car occupied by only one person.

  • To enjoy more space

A cyclist occupies five times less space than a motorist, whether he is stationary or in motion. This data has very profound implications for the well-being of residents, who can enjoy peaceful, calmer, safer and noise-free spaces.

  • To always be on the move

Going by bike is one of the most beneficial exercises for health, since during the effort large muscle groups are mobilized. Of practiced regularly it can reduce resting heart and breathing rates.

If you want to know about bike rental or repair you can stop by our store Born Bike Tours Barcelona
📍Carrer de la Marquesa Nº 1 08003 Barcelona
50 meters away from the Barceloneta L (4) yellow metro station
✉️info@bornbikebarcelona.com
🔹www.bornbikebarcelona.com
📲(+34) 93 319 00 20

You only can go ahead by bicycle

November 12th, 2018

The number of urban cyclists in Barcelona has an exponential growth thanks to the extension of the bike lane during these last years in Barcelona. The security that these lanes provide is translated in a lot of people who enjoy the advantages of moving around with this very sustainable vehicle.

Photo by Joan Cabotti

Any person who has ridden a bike any time of his/her life will be realized that when you move the pedals backwards it’s useless. The bicycle has been designed for moving forward and if you need to go backwards you will have to do facing it, being fully aware of what you are doing and where we really want to go.

And, why is so interesting this consideration nowadays? Because in our 10 years of experience pedaling through the streets of Barcelona we feel astonished (in the good sense of this word) about how the kilometers of the bike lane in Barcelona have been so extended and, especially, how a lot of urban cyclists have leaped to take advantage of even the last signalized meter of lane.

The bicycle will continue advancing in Barcelona and it is going to do that in a conscious and safe way, transforming the city in a cleaner, more tranquil and more sustainable place each time.

Barcelona, the perfect city for going by bicycle, here we show it to you

April 4th, 2018

The 30 days biking challenge, which a lot of us achieved during the month of April, has been a great success. If you don’t believe us, look at this marvelous map which shows you the bike’s circulation in Barcelona during this last month. You are going to be amazed 😉

You can find this map in the Hall City web page, the one which is dedicated to the bicycles, and where they have done an important informative campaign about this event. The fact is that Barcelona is working hard to become a sustainable city, accompanied by the vehicles which have 0 pollution.

The alert levels usually shoot up and to improve in this aspect is a job for every one of us, although, the environment of Barcelona is transforming itself to facilitate safe and pleasant routes. Some examples are the zones of the Parc de la Ciutadella, the Fòrum zone or the bike lane and the 30km/h routes, although, we have had these for a long time. Other examples, which are being key ones, are the extension of the bike lane up to 180km or the new green zones such as the Plaça de les Glòries.

Little by little, bicycles have won their well-earned ground, improving the environment of the city and its surroundings.

 

Those of us who use a bicycle in Barcelona love the rain

February 13th, 2018

Photo by Di Zhang

There are a lot of reasons for using bicycle as the usual means of transport, but one of the most important ones is the reduction of pollution. And which is the other element that helps to clean the city? The rain.

If we usually take the bicycle to move around Barcelona, it is possible that when you wake up in the morning and you see that it is raining you feel a bit irritated. For this reason, we suggest you to focus on this idea: rain is an indispensable factor to reduce pollution in the city, so don’t consider it your enemy, consider it your ally.

The water from rain cleans and purifies the environment because it drags away the damaging particles. And for everyone who breathes the city air daily this is the key.

The World Health Organization (WHO), in its report WHO, GBoD 2016, estimates that “some 3 million deaths a year are linked to exposure to outdoor air pollution”. This profound exposition to a high level of pollution could cause: an increase of allergy among the population; a development of cardiac illnesses; respiratory diseases, etc.

So, take advantage of every rainy day wearing the suitable bicycle equipment for these days and enjoy this phenomenon, which is very necessary for life.

Finally, it will rain in Barcelona, are you ready for continue pedaling?

October 17th, 2017

These autumn months haven’t been so wet as always and, although some people appreciate the convenience that this means when you have to take the bike, we need to be aware about the importance of the rain in the city.

Photo by Liv Bruce

Rain is an indispensable element for life and, specially, in the city, this is a key element for cleaning the accumulated pollution. If you are a person who pedals through the streets of Barcelona daily, breathing a clean atmosphere is very important for you. So, when the autumn rain will arrive, the best we can do is waiting for them with excitement and ready.

Remember wearing the appropriate equipment, waterproof clothes, a footwear which resists rain without problems and all the elements which make you being more visible, especially for the motor vehicles: reflective clothes, the front and the back bicycle lights. A back mudguard will avoid you to arrive at your destiny with your back full of mud.

Get your bicycle ready, you can help to improve adhesion on the road by reducing the tire pressure (a little bit! If not, you will be in danger of getting a flat tire) and be sure that the treads of your tires are well marked. It is also important to maintain the chain clean and lubricated. And, specially (with or without rain), check if your brakes respond quickly.

The rainy days are perfect to show our skills with the bicycle. We are talking about reinforcing your concentration on the road. Brake before a curve and take it slowly. Keep a safety distance with regard to the other vehicles; avoid puddles, marks painted on the road and the multicolour marks that appear on the road (they are car oil).

With these preventive measures you will arrive dry and happy to your destination 😉

The bicycle is the best trip mate, you should not give it up at home during this summer

June 27th, 2017

Haystack-bike-springSports, the reduction of the pollution in our city or the simple and marvelous fresh air on our faces are the reasons that push us to take the bicycle during our daily life. Why are we going to leave it at home during the holidays?

The daily pedaling is one of the best habits that we can achieve, something that the grumpiest people, with regard to the bicycle, cannot deny. Giving it up during the summer months is one of the worst errors that we can commit, especially, because, in the new cities, it is also very beneficial.

Getting to know new corners at the street-level, pedaling together with local people, parking anywhere we prefer, these are the pleasures that we can only achieve by one special means of transport: the bike.

Haven’t you tried it yet?

So, write down in capital letters in your good intentions’ notebook: TURNING THE BICYCLE INTO THE BEST MEANS OF SUMMER TRANSPORT. If you achieve this challenge, you will not be able to stop pedaling during the whole year!

Barcelona in the European Cycling Challenge 2017

May 9th, 2017

Again, we have the opportunity to participate in this great international event, where cities compete for the best one prize: cleaner and healthier cities.

The European City Challenge, although being an international great championship, is not only for elite athletes. Here the winner city is the one who gathers more people as you to pedal for a city free of pollution.

It is not about being the faster, it is about being the most constant one. The winner city will be the one where people have done more kilometers during their daily trips: going to work, to the school, etc. The idea is about replacing the motor vehicles, which we are using daily to move around, and transforming all the smoke in good vibes and healthy exercise.

This is very simple, you only have to sign up and you can do that through the application Naviki.

You can find all the information in the official web: http://www.cyclingchallenge.eu/

You shouldn’t miss it! We are already pedaling in Barcelona.

Do not be held up by the rain in Barcelona, continue pedaling thanks to our tips

May 2nd, 2017

During April and May the rain is unavoidable and, although for some people this can embitter his/her walking, we want to recall its profits for the city and some of the tips, which will allow us to ride the bicycle without worries.

Fotografía de Lauren Ellis

Cities like Barcelona usually have problems regulating the pollution levels. A key element for this regulation is the rainwater, because it reduces the air’s polluting particles and it levels the temperature.

In addition, if the city is sensitive to the benefices of rain, it can take profit from other characteristics. With rain it is possible to generate electric energy to illuminate the city. We can irrigate our plants and crops and facilitate the life of the nearby fauna. And as far as the level of the domestic consumption is concerned, we can take advantage of this water to fill tanks and cisterns.

If all these advantages are not be able to raise your spirit during rainy days, you can try going out and pedaling. Adequate equipment: waterproof and flashy clothes and shoes which facilitate the visibility for the rest of the other vehicle drivers; a ready bike with branded wheels, a clean and lubricated chain and good brakes plus; and all your senses on the road. These three key elements will allow you to enjoy your trips on rainy days, while the others stress themselves with the unavoidable traffic jams of these days.

In the end, you will miss these rainy days.

Which is the evolution of the bike lane in Barcelona?

November 2nd, 2016

Photo by Sergi Larripa

Almost one year ago, we published ‘If we were already enjoying Barcelona, we will do it even more in 2018 with the 308km of finished bike lanes’ and, after these 345 days, the issue of the bike lane in Barcelona is still in the spotlight.

These days, the City Hall is working on the bike lanes of the following streets: Marina, Travessera de Gràcia, Cartagena, Eduard Maristany, Taquígraf Serra and Gelabert and on the connection of Barcelona with Esplugues del Llobregat.

On the other hand, with regard to the streets of Joan Güell, Can Bruixa, Marquès de Sentmenat, La Jota, Múrcia and Numància, the bike lane is working at full capacity.

The Numància street bike lane connects, in both directions, the Plaça de Països Catalans with the Avinguda Diagonal, one axis more than necessary. But since its first use, some weeks ago, there has been a polemic between shop-keepers, drivers of motor vehicles and cyclists. The shop-keepers criticize the lack of space for loading and unloading products; the drivers, basically of cars, complain about lacking the parking lots; and finally, the cyclists are sick of vans and taxis which park on the bike lane itself.

Another point that has also been conflictive these last weeks, is the delay referring to putting the prohibition of the bike circulation on the sidewalks into practice. This month of November this prohibition, which doesn’t allow bicycles to circulate on the sidewalks with a width of less than 4,75 meters, and with a minimum of 3 meters of free terraces for bars -although this does not affect children younger than 12 and people who ride the bike between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.-  had to become effective. For the moment, this regulation will not become effective until next year, because the City Hall considers that we are still lacking infrastructures which make the bike lanes safer for the bike circulation.

All these changes have again opened up the discussion between cyclists and drivers. The first ones ask for more safety, the other ones are reticent to losing space. But, in our opinion, if we want a city with less pollution and at the service of people and not of cars, it is essential to improve the condition of those who work for this better future.

‘Som Meridiana’ -We are Meridiana-, an example of a fight for a better Barcelona through the bicycle

Photo by MarisaLR

October 18th, 2016

This next Saturday, the 22nd of October, a pedaling through Avinguda Meridiana will be celebrated. It will be organized by the platform Som Meridiana with the support of the Catalonia Bicycle Club (BACC) and they will claim for a space, which is now completely invaded by the motor vehicles. 

Som Meridiana is a platform formed by different neighborhood associations, that are from some of the neighborhoods which involve this avenue and who, this weekend, riding their bicycles, will claim for a Meridiana:

Which is not a highway.

Which prioritizes (the) public transport and, of course, the bicycle.

Which is a more human place, with green zones and more facilities for the neighborhood shops.

Which is not a wall.

In general, they claim for stopping to be a “forgotten city” and they will do that with a day of reflection, which will be initiated at 9.30 a.m. with a popular bicycle tour called “pedaling the Meridiana”, organized by the BACC. The meeting point will the Plaça de les Glòries and the final point the Jardins d’Elx. At this point, a parade with Batukadas, Giants and Devils will take place and the celebration will continue with activities for the kids and hot chocolate. In addition, from 11.15 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be a lot of talks about environment and alternative means of transport.

Don’t miss it and give your support on your bicycle!

Warming up the pedals for the Mobility Week in Barcelona

September 15th, 2016

During this week and the next week, coinciding with the great fiesta of La Mercè in Barcelona, we will celebrate the Mobility Week. It will be accompanied by a lot of activities for the awareness which we should have about our vehicles in order to maintain the city’s environment.

The Sustainable and Safety Mobility Week in Barcelona, from the 16th to 22nd of September, is directly related to the European Mobility Week, in which almost 2,000 registered cities from different countries are participating. The goal is that all these cities organize different activities in order to awaken the awareness about a sustainable mobility model for everyone.

In Barcelona, the bicycle, together with the going on foot and the public transport, will be the protagonist of this campaign.

The week will culminate with the Day without Cars, during which the motor vehicles will remain parked, in order to allow civic centers, schools, etc. to occupy the road with their activities. This day is already a tradition in our city, but this year it will be more special. Instead of fitting it into a weekend, the Day without Cars will be celebrated during a working day Thursday. A risky bet of the City Hall, but surely that it will encourage a lot of people for taking the bicycle to go to work, reducing pollution and increasing the quality of life.

Barcelona needs you in the ‘European Cycling Challenge’

May 9th, 2016

Barcelona has again taken part in this competition at a European level in the fifth edition and it needs all the support of the city’s cyclists.

European Cycling ChallengeThe European Cycling Challenge is a competition which has been held for the past five years where the urban cyclists are organized in teams (each city is a team) and they have the whole month of May to do the maximum number of kilometers through the city.

Whenever we do any trip through the city (go to work, to buy, to take the children to school or, simply, go for a stroll) riding our bicycle, this will be useful. The most important thing is signing in, we can do that by completing the information manually in the cycling365.eu or (for us the best choice) downloading the Cycling365 free app, signing in as a user, at first, and in the second place within a team.

At the time, Gdansk (Poland) is winning with 259,597km, the same city which was proclaimed winner in the last edition, and Barcelona is in the 34th position (of 52) with almost 5,000km.

Although, for the moment, victory is 254,600km away, we have time to win some positions and show that, in Barcelona, the best means of transport is the bicycle.

The importance of traveling on bicycle for the future of Barcelona

bike, cityMay 2nd, 2016

A big city with more than 1,600,000 of people sharing streets with a big number of tourists, a fact that makes Barcelona a very complex space from different perspectives, among others, the mobility and the environment.

Barcelona is a big city in continuous movement, which adapts itself to the new times. Every day, people talk more about the importance of improving the streets’ mobility for a better coexistence among pedestrians, motorized vehicles and bicycles. They are working from municipal politics, such as the extension of the bike lane net, or from the citizens’ debates, where all the uncomfortable issues about security in the road system are put on the table.

Little by little, this work has been transformed into a bigger sensibility, especially, from the population, who continuously trusts the bicycle more for being the faster, cheaper and, very important, non-polluting means of transport.

The ecology involves the whole bicycle world and it is the key for the future of cities, and for this reason, there are a lot of initiatives such as the Muzzicycles, bicycles with a frame fabricated from recycled PET materials (the same materials used for making plastic bottles), an innovation which is 100% ecologic and has a very comfortable design.

It is very important, if we are already moving pedaling, that we educate and make ourselves aware of the culture of the good coexistence at the road circulation spaces. And if we are not yet moving by bicycle, we should depart from this very point.

30 days on bike, a citizen initiative for the pollution reduction and everyone’s wellbeing

Last Friday, 1st of April, all over the world the agreement of pedaling during 30 days when we go through the city was started, a step which reduces fumes and pollution, makes us feel better and, surely, will get more than one person hooked.

Since some days ago, the hashtag #30DaysonBike started to move around the social networks, with which a lot of people explain their experiences, stories or, simply share some images about what this great challenge is supposing.

Because, going on bicycle means improving in a lot of senses: in an individual way, pedaling is a cardiovascular exercise with which you can tone up your legs’ muscles, bettering your back position and strengthening your knees. In addition, as we always back up from BornBike, we are sure that the relaxation caused by this exercise, directly affects a stress shortage and an improvement of our inspiration.

At a community level, in addition to being an activity which you can practice with more people and share the experience, with time, it is one of best ways to reduce high levels of pollution which our cities can reach. In this way, we improve the daily traffic and the air that we breathe.

If you have not joined this initiative yet, you still have some days to to take advantage of it. In addition, we are sure that, if you achieve going on bicycle non-stop during 30 days, you will not be able to stop!

You can change your routine and the routine of your city if you pedal your bicycle to your job

The daily use of the bicycle provides us with a great variety of advantages for ourselves and for our cities.

8 o’clock in the morning, you wake up, you dress, you have breakfast and… are you starting a new day? You take the car, you become stressed in the daily traffic jam; you look for  parking place for your car in the infinite parking lot of your work; you sit at the same table and there you waste the next 8 hours only to return to the parking lot; to the car; to your home.

Or…

You wake up, you dress, you have breakfast and… you take your bicycle; you enjoy the fresh air of the morning and the first sleepy faces; your muscles become more active in the same way that your mind does. And when you get to work you park just in the entrance. You sit in your chair at your desk, but this time you are ready for the next 8 hours.

We have created a system where it is continuously more difficult to enjoy physical exercise and where the sedentary lifestyle is becoming something alarming. For these reasons it’s very important take advantage of every opportunity to move around.

The bicycle, as well as being cheap, is one of the few vehicles whose speed depends on ourselves the major part of the time. Not even the traffic jams can hinder our route.

In addition, we will save to the city the high levels of pollution that it  usually  has, and we will be able to enjoy it without bad smells and without exhaust pipes.

Join everyone who is moving around by pedalling every day!