Palma bets on cycling: 59 kilometers of new bike lanes in ten years

Palma bets on cycling: 59 kilometers of new bike lanes in ten years

On the Paseo Marítimo the tramontana sometimes whistles through the palm trees, at the Plaza de Cort bicycle bells sound quieter than the buses, and in the mornings a mix of commuters, couriers and tourists jostle at the street corners. The city of Palma now wants to consistently make room for bikes: almost 59 kilometers of new bike lanes are planned over the next ten years – that is about 55 percent more than today.

For comparison: there are currently around 108 kilometers of bike lanes in Palma. Planned are an additional almost 59 kilometers, of which around 15 kilometers should be realized in the first two years. The first sections are intended for areas such as Son Espases, Son Ferriol, Can Pastilla, the surroundings of Castell de Bellver and parts of the city center. The city has also announced that it will defuse particularly tricky intersections and bottlenecks, as with the relocation of the bike lane from Calle Blanquerna to Calle 31 de Diciembre seen in Bike lane in Palma: Blanquerna loses section — who pays the price for more safety?.

Anyone who rides from Son Espases towards the centre in the morning knows the critical spots: ambulances, buses and cars squeeze the road space. A continuous, safe bike lane here would not only help cyclists but also give clearer traffic flow lines overall. In Can Pastilla, where the road to the sea is blocked by parked cars on some days, separated bike lanes could make everyday life more pleasant for residents and visitors alike.

The idea behind the expansion drive is simple: more people on two wheels, less noise, cleaner air and a more relaxed streetscape. In Mallorca, where many distances are short, the bicycle can be a real alternative to the car, especially for daily errands or the commute to work. At the same time the city centre benefits from less traffic – shops, cafés and the narrow lanes become friendlier again for pedestrians and cyclists.

In practical terms this means: new bike lanes, better signage, perhaps physical separations where cars often drive too fast, and measures at intersections to reduce dangerous encounters. The planned 15 kilometers in the first two years should bring visible changes: it will become clear on familiar routes whether the new infrastructure works or needs adjustments.

A day in the city already gives a foretaste. On Carrer de Aragón a teacher rides her cargo bike, children roll on their way to school, and the market vendor at Plaça Major pushes his crate along a new, narrow bike lane. Such scenes hint at how Palma could change if safe connections are in place.

For residents the expansion also raises questions: where will parking be reduced? How will delivery traffic react? Urban planning now faces the task of finding practical solutions, such as loading zones for suppliers, clear markings and good communication with neighbourhoods; related proposals are discussed in Palma 2026: More Parking Spaces, 230 E‑Bikes — Opportunity or Detour?.

Touristically, the whole project also has advantages: bike-friendly streets are more pleasant for visitors who want to explore Palma and can improve the city's image as a destination that offers not only sun and beaches but also sustainable mobility, as local improvements like the new illuminated connection between Playa de Palma and es Pillarí illustrate in From Ballermann to the Green: New Illuminated Cycle Path Connects Playa de Palma with es Pillarí. At the same time measures should be designed to respect historic streets and viewpoints like Castell de Bellver.

If you want to look ahead: in the coming months it's worth watching local construction plans and traffic changes, but also simply trying things out. A short test on a new section often says more than many discussions. And: cycling in Mallorca remains a moment of small joys – the smell of the sea in Can Pastilla, the rustle of the pines at Bellver, the quiet hum of tires along the waterfront promenade.

Conclusion: With the plan to build almost 59 kilometers of new bike lanes in the next ten years and to open around 15 kilometers in the first two years, Palma is taking a clearly visible step toward a more bike-friendly city. The numbers sound promising – now the concrete work begins: creating connections, defusing critical spots and involving the population so that lines on maps become real, safe connections that noticeably improve everyday life here.