Palma's balancing act: More parking — more e-bikes — can they coexist?

Palma's balancing act: More parking — more e-bikes — can they coexist?

In the early morning, when the bakeries on Calle Sant Miquel are still opening their doors and delivery vans squeak, there is a discussion in Palma about something that concerns everyone: space. The city has presented a budget draft for 2026 that plans investment both in new parking areas and in a significantly larger fleet of e-bikes. The central question is: Can Palma create more parking while credibly advancing the transport and mobility transition?

What the budget promises — and what it omits

The figures from the municipal parking company SMAP show almost €20 million in revenues, slightly more than last year. Parts of this are to be invested in additional parking at Playa de Palma and on Eusebi-Estada Street, others in modernizing existing garages on the Avenidas. Almost €400,000 is earmarked for security technology in underground garages — a line that sounds like peace of mind for residents such as María from the Mercat de l'Olivar: "I'd rather park my car in a secure basement, especially in summer."

But the raw numbers are only part of the story. What rarely appears in budget drafts are ongoing operating costs, reserves for maintenance and a clear prioritization of revenues. Will the additional income be used for lasting investments in sustainable mobility? Or will it mainly serve to plug short-term gaps? And: critics fear that more parking could attract additional car traffic into the city center — an effect that could negate the ecological benefits of any e-bike expansion.

BiciPalma grows — but for whom?

Alongside the parking offensive, the public e-bike system BiciPalma is to be expanded by around 23 stations and about 230 bikes, focusing on tourist hotspots like the Paseo Marítimo and Playa de Palma. On paper that sounds like a good complement. In reality, pedestrians, road cyclists and e-scooter users often share a narrow promenade strip — and the question arises: Are an average of ten bikes per station enough at peak locations?

Other often overlooked questions concern the user groups: Who actually benefits from the offer? The short-term beach mobility of tourists, or the everyday routes of residents from Santa Catalina or Son Espanyolet? Are there discounted annual subscriptions for residents, or will BiciPalma remain an expensive pastime for visitors? Without clear fare policy, the system risks becoming a mere tourist toy.

The three unseen decision factors

The public debate usually focuses on locations and sums. Three practical aspects are rarely examined in enough detail, yet they decide success or failure:

Logistics: Who places the bikes in the right spots in the morning and prevents full or empty docking stations in the evening? Without a functioning redistribution system many stations remain unusable.

Energy: What happens when all batteries need charging in the evening? Intelligent charging solutions, coupled with solar canopies or local battery storage, could ease the grid — but that requires investment and planning.

User profiles: Will BiciPalma be attractive enough for commuters to replace cars? Or will it only confirm short tourist rides? Reliable user research is still lacking.

Concrete, pragmatic proposals

A few proposals for how Palma could realistically manage the balancing act:

1) Earmarking parking revenues: SMAP proceeds should be partially and transparently channelled into cycling infrastructure, maintenance and theft protection — turning parking fees into a mobility levy.

2) Dynamic parking zones: Time-limited parking in tourist areas combined with clear resident permits would prevent long-term parkers from clogging up the city centre.

3) A logistical backbone for BiciPalma: Small electric transporter teams and local workshops would ensure redistribution and quick repairs — empty or overfilled stations in the morning would then be rarer.

4) EMT integration and fare policy: Combined tickets, reduced annual subscriptions for locals and coordinated routes would make e-bikes a genuine complement to public transport.

5) Pilot projects for charging and prevention: Solar canopies, intelligent charging stations and neighbourhood workshops on theft prevention would reduce follow-up costs and build acceptance.

A compromise with ambition — or just patchwork?

Palma's approach sounds like a compromise: more parking where it's lacking and at the same time more alternative mobility. It's pragmatic and deeply Mallorcan — efficient, sometimes a bit improvised. Crucial will be whether the city structurally embeds the e-bike expansion: maintenance, fair prices for locals, smart prioritization of parking spaces.

The upcoming city council meetings and the final budget vote will show whether Palma makes a balanced start or whether the gap between visitor interests and everyday quality of life continues to widen. Those who want to know more can attend next week's debate — or simply go to Playa de Palma over the weekend and check whether the new stations actually have the bikes in the morning that the city promised.