Madrid plans new segregated cycle lane network by end of 2016

Madrid City Council plans to build a new network of cycle lanes by the end of 2016 in a bid to tackle severe pollution, it has been reported.

The Ahora Madrid political bloc that includes the anti-austerity Podemos, wants an "integrated and coherent network of bike lanes, not just for recreational use," El Pais reported. The party's first budget provided for €2 million to refurbish existing cycle lanes. But the party has now reached an agreement with the Socialists on the city hall to spend €40 million on 22 new cycle routes. This must be spent in 2016.

El Pais adds that there is a debate over the design of the network, with one of the city's major routes currently on the footway, but footway routes are not viewed as reducing traffic, according to a 2011 municipal study, and cycle lanes on roads, in contrast, are "seen as controversial". Whilst segregated routes are more expensive: a 64km route the anillo verde cost "nearly €500,000 per kilometre," it says.