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Cartagena has launched its own municipal electric bicycle hire service, with 120 bikes already available across the city centre and plans to expand to 300 within the coming weeks. And if you're based on the coast, it won't be long before you can get involved too. From July 1, a further 70 bikes and 20 parking points will be added in La Manga and Cabo de Palos.

 

Mayor Noelia Arroyo chose World Bicycle Day to unveil the scheme and she was joined by representatives from universities, health organisations, the port authority and neighbourhood associations, many of whom had been pushing for exactly this kind of service for years given the large numbers of people they move around the city every day.

 

"This service marks a turning point in urban mobility in Cartagena," the mayor said.

 

"It is a very important step within the strategy we are promoting to build a healthier and more connected city."

 

The launch forms part of Cartagena's broader CartaGO! mobility programme, which also covers park-and-ride facilities, better public transport and an expanding network of bike lanes, which already stretches to more than 35 kilometres across the city.

 

"We are creating a genuine sustainable mobility network in which each element fulfils a function," Ms Arroyo explained.

 

"Bicycles connect neighbourhoods, educational centres, sports facilities, administrative, commercial and health spaces, facilitating fast, comfortable and environmentally friendly travel."

 

The service is run by specialist company Hoppy Mobility and works through a mobile app that's integrated into the existing Cartagena Viva platform. Users can locate, reserve and unlock bikes using a QR code, and can also check battery levels and make reservations up to 15 minutes in advance.

 

There are 30 virtual parking points across the city, rising to 50 in summer with the addition of the coastal locations.

 

Parking points have been positioned with real commuting habits in mind, covering Santa Lucía Hospital, the UPCT and UCAM university area, Navantia, the Renfe train station, the Sports Palace, the Cartagonova stadium and the port, as well as a range of residential and commercial areas. According to the mayor, the locations were chosen in close consultation with the organisations that use the Mobility Committee.

 

"We wanted bicycles to be located where daily commutes actually occur," Ms Arroyo said.

 

"That's why we've worked with universities, hospitals, the port, neighbourhood associations and other groups to design a useful, efficient network adapted to the real needs of Cartagena."

 

One thing that sets the scheme apart from similar services elsewhere in Spain is that there's no fee just to unlock a bike. Usage is then charged by the minute, ranging from €0.02 to €0.25 depending on which pass you buy. For occasional users a one-hour pass costs €4.95 and a 24-hour pass is €9.95, with weekly, monthly and annual options available at €19.95, €29.95 and €295, respectively.

 

Image: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena