Get on your bike, do some exercise and improve your health

The support of the Barcelona Provincial Council The inclusion of cycling in major events, such as the Volta a Catalunya, the 2025 Vuelta a España Femenina, and the 2026 Tour de France, demonstrates the Corporation's commitment to promoting cycling in the province. The benefits of cycling are numerous, both in terms of sport and society. On the one hand, it is an accessible and healthy sport that contributes to improving the health and quality of life of the population and helps prevent cardiovascular disease. On the other hand, using a bicycle as a means of daily transport improves sustainable mobility and reduces the environmental impact of transportation. Furthermore, cycling is an excellent excuse for socializing, participating in, and riding with the many cycling clubs in the municipalities of Barcelona. Therefore, the Provincial Council's Cycling Promotion Plan aims to leave a sporting legacy in the province that will allow for the continued promotion of road cycling, both on open roads and on the municipal cycling circuits within the region.

Along these lines, the Barcelona Provincial Council is investing resources in the conditioning and improvement of cycling infrastructure in municipalities. The goal is for citizens to be able to practice this sport before heading out onto the road. The plan also includes technical and financial assistance to develop bike lanes, secure parking, and other necessary facilities. Furthermore, the Provincial Council collaborates with city councils and organizations to promote sustainable mobility and reduce dependence on private vehicles. The Plan includes awareness campaigns on road safety and the benefits of cycling. In addition, it promotes competitive and recreational cycling by supporting events and activities for all ages.

Four amateur cyclists with different backgrounds have shared their cycling experiences, their opinions on municipal facilities, and their demands for safer mobility.

Àlex Roca (17 years old)

Like most children, Àlex Roca started riding a bike at a young age, exploring the streets of his village. Now, at 17, he's a junior road cyclist with the Sant Boi Cycling Club. He's competed in the Catalan and Spanish championships and aspires to turn professional. To achieve this, he trains six days a week while continuing his high school studies. "It's difficult to manage everything, but I do it by being organized and planning well," he says. "Competing has allowed me to make new friends and discover new places; but what I love most about cycling is that it's a moment for myself, a chance to be free. I would recommend cycling to everyone, as it allows you to disconnect from routine, from life's problems, something that is sometimes necessary." When asked about a negative aspect, his answer was very clear: safety. "When I go out on the road, I don't feel very safe. I try to convince myself that I am, because otherwise I couldn't do this sport; but I'm aware of the dangers and I understand that people are worried because you're always at a disadvantage compared to the vehicle. I would tell drivers to get in our lane and respect the rules." Àlex also calls for more municipal facilities: "Indoor tracks help a lot, as they are safer and allow you to train without worry. But there should be more of them, in every municipality, because there are too few."

Marina Fernández (16 years old)

Marina Fernández, from the Baix Ter Cycling Club, agrees with this demand. At 16, this Spanish track cycling champion is and has been a user of municipal facilities: "Now I train at the Horta Velodrome, but when I was little I started on the Sant Boi municipal circuit. It was very useful, but there came a point when it wasn't enough. You need a track to start with, because there isn't much danger." At 7, Marina was already training at a cycling school. Now, at 16, she has been the Spanish track cycling champion in the cadet category, and enjoys a scholarship to train at the Catalan Center for Sports Development in Esplugues, known as "La Blume." "I study from 8 to 12, and that allows me to train all afternoon. I go to the velodrome two days a week and three more days I go out on the road; a total of five days on the bike, in addition to the competitions." Marina also recommends cycling: "It has brought me many positive things." On a sporting level, I've had very good results. On a personal level, I've made friends and gotten to know many places, because we travel everywhere. I like that feeling of initial nerves before the competition; but when the starting whistle blows, they disappear and I feel totally focused.

Marta Álvarez (52 years old)

Marta describes her relationship with cycling as "a passion" that began about 10 years ago. She had always been very active in sports, but knee problems led her to take up low-impact activities. "At first it was gradual, but now I'm hooked on road cycling and also on gravel bikes." On her bike, she rides local routes around the province of Barcelona, ​​but she has also conquered legendary climbs like the Mortirolo in Italy. For Marta, cycling is key to her physical and emotional well-being. "I would recommend cycling to women my age, because there comes a time when sport is very necessary, both for physical and mental health. Cycling contributes in both areas. Physically, it's a sport that has no impact on the joints. On an emotional level, it's done outdoors, it makes you connect a lot with people, and that helps you make friends with a very diverse group of people with whom I feel very comfortable and with whom I've established a strong bond." He also spoke about safety: "On the road, it's very important. And I think it's an issue where both sides need to improve: some drivers are very aware, but others aren't. And cyclists need to be aware that we share the road and we also need to make life easier for drivers."

Paco Corbacho (64 years old)

When he received a mountain bike as a birthday present, this former footballer and swimmer thought it wouldn't be for him. Thirty-five years later, he says cycling may have saved his life, because the fitness it provided helped him overcome a serious illness. At 64, Paco has climbed the Tourmalet, completed the famous "Quebrantahuesos" cycling route several times, and competed in the amateur Milan-San Remo. He admits that with age, his pace slows down, but he also finds the positive side: "Now I ride more calmly, and that has allowed me to do many more cycling tours. I have time to go to places I didn't have time to go to before. We stop for breakfast, visit villages... I've done three- or four-day trips sleeping in sleeping bags in the mountains, enjoying the local cuisine." With all the landscapes he's seen on his bike, Paco believes there are spectacular routes in the province of Barcelona. "Besides the coast, we have a lot of mountains, and it's beautiful: Montseny, Montserrat, Tibidabo, Collserola... If you travel a little further, there are wonderful cycling routes. I would recommend the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park, the Esternales pass... It's also very nice to cycle through the Gar region... Vilafranca... Cycling through the Penedès region allows you to enjoy some good wine."

For now, Paco is still going strong and plans to continue for many years: "There are people cycling at 80 years old who enjoy it and are in good shape."

Start of the 2026 Tour de France

The world's premier cycling event will kick off its 2026 edition in Barcelona. The Tour de France has the support of the Barcelona Provincial Council, which will seize this opportunity to launch a series of initiatives to leave a social, sporting, and infrastructural legacy, promote cycling—especially road cycling—among different segments of the population, and encourage its use and development.

The website letour.barcelona The new communication channel for the start of the next Tour de France is available in four languages (Catalan, Spanish, English, and French) to allow all cycling fans to follow the latest news related to the start of this major sporting competition. The website offers information on the three stages that will take place in Catalonia on July 4, 5, and 6, 2026, with all the technical details (route maps, elevation profiles, etc.). It also provides tourist, sporting, and cultural information about the three major towns involved in the race. Grand Depart as the start or end of a stage: Barcelona, ​​Tarragona and Granollers.