At least 900 stolen bicycles in one year in Barcelona

BarcelonaOne in five bicycle theft victims do not buy another one after it has been stolen. This is one of the data points collected by the Bicycle Club of Catalonia (BACC) and the CityLab research team from the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB) in a study that highlights concern over the consequences of the theft of this private and sustainable means of transport. Thefts often discourage its use because, among other reasons, those affected end up suffering from their bicycle being stolen again. In fact, Barcelona registered 921 reports of bicycle theft in 2024. That is, an approximate average of 2.5 thefts per day.

"From the BACC, every week we hear cases of people whose bikes have been stolen, and this ends up having an impact on people's mobility decisions," stated association member Marta Casar this Thursday. The study shares the first results from the Coordination Space Against Bicycle Theft, an initiative launched in 2025 among administrations – such as the Barcelona City Council, the Generalitat, the Mossos d'Esquadra, and the Guardia Urbana – and cycling organizations, with the aim of defining concrete measures to jointly address the problem.

In this regard, at the report's presentation, it was warned that reliable data is lacking, as the more than 900 thefts registered in 2024 do not reflect the total number of stolen items. "We have the visible part of the iceberg, which is the official data, and, on the other hand, the hidden part, which are the thefts that are not reported or not recorded because there is insufficient information," highlighted the coordinator of the Coordination Space, Clementine Surad.

In fact, as Sergeant Antonio Gallego from the Central Proximity Office of the Guardia Urbana of Barcelona explained, the figure is one of the most difficult aspects to obtain, as if the owner does not have a photo or frame number noted down, the report cannot be formalized. For this reason, the study proposes moving towards quality data collection, simplifying the reporting process or developing annual reports, as well as focusing on designing a unified bicycle registry to facilitate their recovery once stolen.

More secure parking

In parallel, data collected by BACC and ICTA-UAB shows that of the total officially registered thefts in 2024, 59% took place on public roads, 20% were registered in parking areas, and the remaining 20% in building interiors. Thus, according to the report's initiators, another of the main problems behind thefts is the lack of secure parking.

"In Barcelona there are 38,904 inverted U-shaped spaces, but they are highly concentrated in the central districts, in 60% or 70% of cases, which generates inequality," remarks Surad. A point with which Dani Tizón, a member of the board of directors of the Association of Spanish Bicycle Brands, agrees. "We must help so that people do not have to change their transportation habits or have to think about whether they will be able to park their bike or not when they leave home," he stated.

To consolidate confidence in the bicycle as a means of transport, the study proposes the creation of more secure parking facilities such as BiciBox, the enclosed spaces for parking vehicles deployed by the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB). "In the metropolitan area, it is well-regarded by people, and it should be able to be established in the city of Barcelona," defended the sustainable mobility technician from AMB, Jordi Jové.

Furthermore, the first report from the Coordination Space has also highlighted the importance of proposing pilot GPS tracking projects, integrating resale platforms to know where stolen bicycles end up, and developing awareness campaigns for the population.