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Palma to launch cycle hire scheme

featured in News & reviews Author Nicola Henderson, Site Editor Updated

Palma city will be introducing a public bicycle rental service towards the end of this year. The system will require members of the public to use a Citizen's Card to release bicycles from the docking stations throughout the city. It is anticipated that the first 30 minutes of the cycle hire will be free, with costs rising significantly from the third hour of use.

Work will start shortly on the installation of the docking stations. State funding has already been agreed for the scheme, which will include 336 public bikes, 470 bike stands and 28 docking stations. There are currently 43 km of cycle paths in the Palma district, and the mayor of Palma hopes to extend this to 50 kilometres before the end of her term.

The City Council has confirmed that the scheme will cover 15 city districts - Foners, Pere Garau, Marquis of Fontsanta, Archduke, Bons Aires, Es Forti, Camp d'en Serralta, Santa Catalina, Jaume III, Born, Plaça dels Patins, Cort, Sant Nicolau, Unions and Mercat. It is hoped that the bicycles will become an integrated part of the Palma city's public transport system, giving members of the public a more eco-friendly way of getting around the city, rather than jumping into their cars for short journeys.

Each docking station will use computerised screens to allow members of the public to take or return a bicycle. The system will also show where there are bikes available, which stations are full or have spaces available, and enable the user to report problems or bicycle damage. Video surveillance systems will also be integrated into the stations. The bikes will have three gears, a headlight, front and rear brakes, reinforced tyres and a front basket. Visit our pages on Cycling in Mallorca.