Barcelona residents have lodged nearly 3,000 complaints about motorcycles parked on pavements in the past nine months. The City Council is actively implementing measures to address this widespread issue across the city.

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Citizens reported 2,700 incidents via the “Barcelona a la Butxaca” mobile application. This averages 300 notifications each month. These figures do not include direct calls made to the Guàrdia Urbana.

Laia Bonet, Deputy Mayor for Mobility, shared these statistics on Monday evening. She spoke at the Ecology, Urban Planning and Mobility Commission. Councillor Guille López of Barcelona en Comú had posed the original question.

“We have freed up 18,500 linear metres of pavement surface,” Bonet stated. This area is equivalent to approximately 200 football pitches. The invasion of motorcycles on pavements generates significant discomfort among residents.

The City Council created a specific category in the “Barcelona a la Butxaca” app last April. This allows residents to report illegally parked motorcycles easily. Additionally, the council has installed 850 specific signs prohibiting motorcycle parking on pavements.

Reclaiming Pedestrian Space

The municipal plan focuses particularly on areas around 296 schools and 29 hospital centres. In these critical zones, the City Council has created 800 new motorcycle parking spaces on the road. This initiative aims to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility for vulnerable groups.

The City Council has committed to creating 24,000 new motorcycle parking spaces in total. Of these, 20,000 will be on the road, with the remaining spaces in underground car parks. The council has completed 5,000 new spaces towards this goal.

Targeted Neighbourhood Initiatives

Specific studies are underway in Poblenou, Sant Gervasi-Galvany, and the left side of the Eixample district. These studies aim to identify locations for new motorcycle spaces at junctions. They will replace existing car parking or areas where containers obstruct visibility.

This action seeks to enhance road safety for all users. The Eixample district, a densely populated area home to over 260,000 residents, faces particular challenges with pavement parking.

Promoting Sustainable Mobility

Deputy Mayor Bonet emphasised the need for a cultural shift among motorcyclists. She noted that the City Council is not solely relying on prohibitions and fines. Instead, it is facilitating alternatives and improving communication.

The council is deploying informers in various districts to guide motorcyclists. They encourage parking slightly further from their destination if necessary. Despite these efforts, new photos of motorcycles blocking pavements continue to circulate on social media, highlighting the ongoing challenge.

The City Council has also established a Motorcycle Observatory. This body will closely monitor the reorganisation of vehicle parking. It will also work to reduce accidents in the city.

The Observatory additionally supports the transition to electric mobility. As part of this push, the council has approved €600 grants for individuals purchasing an electric moped if they scrap a combustion-engine model. This initiative encourages greener transport options in Barcelona.

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Originally published by El Periódico Barcelona. Read original article.