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Palma de Mallorca's bike scheme to be opened up to tourists

featured in News & reviews Author Amy Neville-Eliot, Content Editor Updated

Palma City Council outlined proposals to extend the Palma bike scheme to tourists at a meeting last week.

Bicipalma was launched on a trial basis last year by the then governing socialist party. The scheme provided bikes for use at key points around Majorca’s capital city. It was a free service available to residents only. The incoming Partido Popular has spent the last couple of months reviewing the service, including regulations, fees for use and legal cover.

The biggest changes are the roll-out of the scheme to tourists and the introduction of a new pay-as-you-go system.

Residents holding the 'Tarjeta Ciudadana' card will be able to pay for use either annually or for one, three, six or nine month periods. Prices will vary from 4 euros for a month up to 24 euros for year round access.

Tourists will have to register and pay on-line. Prices will range from 12 euros for a 5 day pass to 9 euros for a 3 day ticket. These tickets allow holders to use the bikes for between 30 minutes and 2 hours at any one time. There will be penalties for misuse of the system. For example, failure to return a bicycle will result in a fine of 150 euros.

The opposition party was given 10 days to oppose the plans and provide an alternative. There will then be a 30 day period during which the scheme is shared with the public. Only after that can the council give final approval and introduce the planned changes.