Barcelona is Addressing Motorcycle Parking Challenges Near Schools and Hospitals

Barcelona is currently implementing a comprehensive plan to manage the high volume of motorcycles circulating and parking within the city. The initiative, as reported by Alfonso L. Congostrina (El País, 2025), focuses on regulating parking around sensitive areas such as schools and hospitals, where pedestrian safety is paramount. The city council estimates that over 300,000 motorcycles and mopeds circulate daily in Barcelona, creating significant pressure on parking infrastructure.

Addressing the Sidewalk Parking Issue

One of the primary objectives of the Barcelona City Council is to reduce the number of motorcycles parked on sidewalks. Laia Bonet, First Deputy Mayor for Urban Planning, Ecological Transition, Urban Services and Housing, stated that the goal is to remove all motorcycles from sidewalks by a future date, with a mid-term goal of moving 40,000 motorcycles off the sidewalks by 2030, primarily in the Eixample district. According to Bonet, long-term solutions involve encouraging motorcycle users to utilize underground parking garages (A. L. Congostrina, 2025).

New Parking Spaces and Enforcement

The city is actively creating more than 700 on-street parking spaces specifically for motorcycles near 325 schools and hospitals. This measure aims to accommodate the displacement caused by the enforcement of the amended Circulation, Pedestrians and Vehicles Ordinance (OCVV), which now prohibits parking on sidewalks near these institutions. As of February, parking in these zones is strictly forbidden.

The Importance of Signage and Public Awareness

«The general criterion is that where we establish parking prohibitions on the sidewalk, we always generate parking space for motorcycles on the road wherever possible,» explained Bonet in a press conference. To ensure compliance, the City Council has launched a signaling campaign to clearly mark areas where motorcycle parking is prohibited. So far, 4,372 sidewalk sections have been marked with «no parking» signs. According to El País (2025), this includes the sidewalks of 59 schools and 12 hospitals, with plans to extend the signage to a total of 296 schools and 29 hospitals in the coming months.

Changing User Habits

Bonet emphasized the need for a shift in the «door-to-door culture» among motorcycle users in Barcelona. She noted that users will need to adapt to parking in designated areas in the coming months. This change requires not only infrastructure improvements but also a shift in behavior and awareness among the city’s motorcycle-riding population.

Penalties and Enforcement Statistics

The Barcelona Urban Guard has been actively enforcing the new regulations. During January and February, 717 fines were issued for motorcycles improperly parked on sidewalks. Fines for incorrect parking range from 50 to 100 euros. These measures are intended to deter sidewalk parking and encourage the use of designated parking spaces.

Future Steps and Long-Term Vision

The initiatives being implemented are part of a broader strategy to improve urban mobility and pedestrian safety in Barcelona. By proactively managing motorcycle parking, the city aims to create a more organized and accessible environment for all residents and visitors.

  • Creating over 700 on-street parking spaces for motorcycles near schools and hospitals.
  • Enforcing the amended Circulation, Pedestrians and Vehicles Ordinance (OCVV).
  • Signaling campaign to clearly mark areas where motorcycle parking is prohibited.
  • Issuing fines for motorcycles improperly parked on sidewalks.

These efforts represent a significant step towards achieving a more sustainable and pedestrian-friendly urban environment in Barcelona. The Barcelona City Council, as mentioned by El País (2025), is committed to continuing to develop and implement innovative solutions to address the evolving challenges of urban mobility.

References

Congostrina, A. L. (2025, March 10). Barcelona habilita 700 plazas para motos en los accesos de escuelas y hospitales. El País. Retrieved from https://elpais.com/espana/catalunya/2025-03-10/barcelona-habilita700-plazas-para-motos-en-los-accesos-de-escuelas-y-hospitales.html