Tag Archives: safety

The RACC’s study scared us…

RACC carried out a study on cycling in Barcelona in 2020 and we cannot say that the results are very positive.

The most worrying thing is the fact that 38% of bicycle users in Barcelona admit not knowing the traffic regulations. However, 87% of cyclists consider that they circulate correctly.

Faced with these figures, the president of the RACC, Josep Mateu, has demanded a “minimum of training” ending what could be a licence. Of the surveys conducted, 76% are those that would be “in agreement” or “very in agreement”.

On the other hand, this survey highlights the figure that 24% of users recognize using the mobile while riding a bike, and 36% wear headphones and in the case of those under 20 years are 55%.

It is also noted that 56% of cyclists wear helmets despite the fact that it is not mandatory and that they grow from 55% to 60% who feel vulnerable to driving.

In the light of the report’s findings, RACC has made a number of recommendations in addition to increasing training. These include growing the bicycle road network and improving its quality and signage, establishing mandatory liability insurance to cover accidents or boosting the use of bike registration to minimize the risk of theft.

But you can also visit our article on how to go safely by bike, we present you the main signs you should know to go safely

Walk in the Labyrinth of Horta

Barcelona is a city characterized by many qualities: history, architecture, nature and cycle paths. Neighborhoods are their own characteristic and the beauty of each different.

Une image contenant arbre, extérieur, jour, eau, parc, personnes

Today let’s talk about the Labyrinth of Horta, a park transformed into a museum garden, which takes an architectural and design journey through the duality between neoclassicism and romanticism.

To get to know the park, you will find a Chinese gate, a vestige of an oriental garden which has now disappeared, and continue through the boxwood garden (Buxus sempervirens), a furtive garden that preserves the spirit of the Italian designer, landscaper and gardener Domenico Bagutti., creator of the park commissioned by Antoni Deszanjas, Marquis de Llupià i Alfarràs. From this garden, born of careful pruning, there are paths leading to the temples of Ariadne and Danae, to the domestic garden and also to the romantic garden, which occupies the entire left flank of the park.

An interesting fact is that Sundays are free, you can enter with family, friends or alone and walk through the different parts of the park.

Gaudí’s Barcelona

If there is an architect associated with Barcelona, that is, without a doubt, Antoni Gaudí. His mature works, such as La Pedrera, Park Güell and the Sagrada Familia, are internationally known icons that attract thousands of visitors daily. However, in the city there are also several works by this great artist that are not so well known and that often, due to being far from the usual circuits, go unnoticed and make up a little-explored route, but no less spectacular. 

Une image contenant extérieur, arbre, plante, immeuble résidentiel

Like the ones we list here: 

  • The Pavilions of Finca Güell 
  • The gate of Finca Miralles 
  • The pavement of Sant Pacià 
  • The Bellesguard Tower
  • The Vicens House 

If you want to know more about the architectural works of Antoni Gaudí you can do a bike tours with us.
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

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

Which characteristics have Born Bike Tours Barcelona for chosing a good bicycle for the city

6th August, 2018

One of the most common questions made by those who have just started their urban cycling is: “What type of bike is the best for the city?” For us, it is important to select a model that will make the coexistence with the traffic in the city easier, so it has to be safe.

1. It should be easy to start and stop

Upon forming part of the traffic of the city, it should be easy to put the feet on the ground when you’re waiting for the traffic light to change.

2. There should be a good acceleration

This is important when you have to move the bicycle to cross and intersection or change lanes.

3. It should be easy to see

It’s important to maintain yourself visible to other users. For this objective, you should have good front and back lights.

4. It should allow you to see the traffic around you

The straighter up the cyclist rides, the easier it is for him to see what is happening around you.

5. The bicycle should be easy to control with one hand

Take into account that the hand signals are extremely important in order to maintain an adequate communication with drivers and other cyclists.

6. There should be an efficient range of speeds

The diversity of the speeds depends on the topography of your city and the distance that you have to go. More important than the number of velocities is the range you have available. If there are many slopes in your city, you need a low range of speeds. The contrary happens in a city that is relatively even.

7. It should be efficient

The back suspension and the common rims in the case of mountain bicycles are not recommended for a city bicycle. Even though this is useful for the mountains, the suspension (especially the rear one) absorbs part of the energy we apply to the pedal. If you plan to use your mountain bicycle in the city, you should make some modifications.

As we have already said, there are a great variety of bicycles. It’s important that you like the bike, that I has the right size and be according to your necessities.

Now you know some of the important things about our bicycles, so, start to pedal!

12 Tips for Better Cycling, specially with the weather change

September 12th, 2017

Next week we are going to embark on many activities and events, before we would like to remind you of some basic safety tips when using a bicycle

Photography by Alejandro Lopez

Photography by Alejandro Lopez

Wear a Helmet

Only in the U.S. more than 6,000 cyclists need emergency care for head injuries each year. Choose a well-fitting helmet.

Start Slowly

A good training could be only to pedal about 30 minutes on flat terrain during the first three or four weeks.

Dress for Comfort

Choose comfortable clothes.

Go Bright When there is only Low Light 😉

Try not to ride at night, but if necessary, make use of the lights.

Always Use Good Road Sense

Respect all traffic signs and norms. It’s well worth while for everyone.

Be Traffic-Aware

If there is heavy traffic, ride in the lane with the cars, not to the side.

Use your Brakes Adequately

For optimal pressure, put your hands at the ends of the levers. Apply firm pressure to the brakes.

Get In Gear

Try not to pedal in high gear during long periods to avoid pressure on your knees.

Taking these simple tips into account, you’ll get more enjoyment out of biking!

 

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.

Is playing Pokémon Go on bicycle a good idea?

July 16th, 2016

Whenever we have a necessary safety measures as the principal norm of the game. After some weeks since the inauguration of this videogame, our attentions is attracted by the number of accidents it has protagonized.

Pokémon Go has meant the revolution of the videogames linking our reality with the virtual one. Among its merits we can find the one referring to achieving that people go much longer distances (kilometers) so as to get the strongest types.

It’s not strange that many have considered the bicycle as the opportunity to convert itself into much quicker and efficient hunters.

In fact, in previous versions of the game, we have seen the protagonist circulating by bicycle, but there is one difference: they were not alive nor did suffer after an accident.

So, this week we ask ourselves if playing Pokémon Go on bicycle is the best idea that we can have… If we don’t consult the mobile phone while we are pedaling, perfect. If we take advantage of the traffic light and other stops to consult it there is any Pokémon nearby, perfect. If we don’t abandon our bicycle without a chain in order to run after our objective, even better, because when we come back it will be there in order to move around and look for more species.

As in the majority of our existential questions, if we apply logic we will end up winning. Be careful so that the emotion of the game doesn’t make you lose your head… If you have an accident during the hunting you will not achieve more pokémons.

Tips to enjoy rainy days with our bicycle summed up in 3 essential points

bicycle rainWith the arrival of autumn the rain increases, but this should not be an excuse to abandon our bicycle at home. Here you have some safety tips to avoid accidents and also enjoy the rain:

1. Appropriate equipment:

Starting with your clothes, always have a thick raincoat on hand; if you have a backpack, the raincoat should be wide enough to cover it (there are also trousers which you can wear over the ones you are wearing at the moment), It’s important to always keep dry in order not to arrive at your destiny with a cold.

Your feet are important too. Be sure that your footwear resists rain without problems!

In addition to raincoats, your clothes should be visible. Remember that inside a car the vision can sometimes be difficult. Try to maintain your bicycle lights in good condition, even though it is daytime and you have a good visibility, this helps others to see you. Equip your bicycle with a front mudguard to improve your visibility and a back mudguard so that, for example, you don’t arrive at work with your back full of mud.

2. 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 check that the treads of your tires are well marked. Maintain the chain clean and lubricated and check if your brakes respond quickly.

3. Reinforce your concentration on the road:

Emphasize the attention referring to the habitual precautions: brake before a curve and take it slowly. Keep a safety distance with regard to the other vehicles.

In addition to these, you have to take other new precautions: avoid puddles and the road edges (there is usually lot of water there); keep an eye on the marks painted on the road, especially pedestrian crossings, and multicolour marks on the road (they appear with rain), they are car oil and they make us skid easily.

It is always is better to avoid the hours with worse visibility, such as when the sun rises, at sunset or at night.

If you follow these tips, you will be able to enjoy your route and arrive at your destination dry and warm.