Que Pasa? No Bicicletas en Madrid?

Well my holiday is almost over and Madrid has been a blast, although I can't get my head around siesta and opening closing times here? Before I left, lots of people had told me that Madrid wasn't really a cycling city, except for the few spandex clad weekend mountain bike guys riding around. I refused to believe them, especially after finding a couple of things online hinting at a tiny Fixed cuture happening here. Well it's true, There is almost no one riding here at all. The thing that is amazing, is that Madrid is an awesome city for riding, especialy riding fixed. It has huge big avenues running through it and lots of amazing twisting old streets in the center that would be amazing for alley cats. There are also tons of big Plazas that would be amazing for riding around and just hanging out in. The traffic here is nothing compared to London or New York. When I come back here in a month or so I am bringing my bike next time. I caught my first glimpse of someone riding fixed today, I nearly dropped my Ice cream with excitment! So they are here, somewhere? I also saw this this afternoon

Nothing else to say. Oh yeah I did nearly tear my left pinky off when I fell with my hands in my pokets and couldnt get hands out in time? Totally weird injury. It looks like a black and blue hotdog attached to my hand.

Anyway Looking forward to hanging out with all your ugly mugs soon! Hope you all had good holidays!

Spin up to Leon. Rik is there for another 24 hrs. You could have an alleycat por (or is that para?) dos.

Leon is just a wee bit far for a quick spin. Although hanging with Rik for a couple of cañas de Mahou sounds tempting.

my friend said exactly the same thing about barcelona but apparently they're getting into their dutch bikes quite a bit and theres a big bmx scene there as well.

They've got a bike hire scheme going on in Barcelona too, so I think they're a bit ahead of Madrid.

I thought exactly the same thing when I was their last week. Would be aces to hammer round the city fixed. I think the drivers might be the biggest obstacle for alley cats.

If I go again it'll be on the bike with a spare polo mallet.

I know I'm a year late for this thread, but it might be useful for someone in the future:

there is people riding fixed in Madrid, just not many. Best way to meet other riders is to ride the local critical mass ('Bici Crítica', last Thursday of the month, departs at 8ish from Cibeles).

And Madrid is awesome to ride in. I am originally from nearby and I've ridden quite a bit around. Only real trouble is that you are not allowed into bus lanes, and sometimes you find yourself trapped between an angry driver and the plastic barrier that marks it, but that's pretty much it. Not worse than other big cities without proper cycling infrastructure.

If you think Madrid has nothing going on, you guys should hit Lisbon, it's hotter (than Madrid) this time of the year, and there's nothing but MTBs at sundays. NO ONE cycles! Fact! : (

So how come you're not allowed in bus lanes in Madrid? Is there signage that says that specifically? I saw one Bianchi Pista when I was in Madrid. I think it was the only bike I saw all day too!

So how come you're not allowed in bus lanes in Madrid? Is there signage that says that specifically? I saw one Bianchi Pista when I was in Madrid. I think it was the only bike I saw all day too!

Because they're BUS lanes, not BUS/CYCLE lanes.

^ Lame! I suppose it makes sense. Not a lot of room for buses to overtake.

^^It's true

If you think Madrid has nothing going on, you guys should hit Lisbon, it's hotter (than Madrid) this time of the year, and there's nothing but MTBs at sundays. NO ONE cycles! Fact! : (

Actually, there is a guy here in Amsterdam who builds and repairs fixed gear bikes (and any sort of bike for that matter, but he is into the fixed side of the force) and he is originally from Lisbon. He told me he and a friend are opening the first Fixed specific shop in Lisbon sometime soon. His name is Vitor, he's a really nice guy. You could send him an email if you want some info about riding in Lisbon http://www.recycledbicycles.org/

Because they're BUS lanes, not BUS/CYCLE lanes.

There's no specific signage, but local regulations specify that you can't. I took the bother to check. Last time I was in Madrid I noticed mopeds are now allowed into bus lanes, but bicycles are still excluded.

I live in Madrid and I am not aware about this issue.

I use the bus lane whenever I find it convenient. The problem is that few years ago they installed plastic bollards in some streets to prevent cars from using / parking in the bus lanes. If you ride regularly in the bus lanes, chances are that you may end up getting stuck behind a bus with no possibility to overtake it until the next intersection / traffic lights.

Main issue about riding in Madrid is that cars tend to go relatively fast( up to 40-50km/h) in the main avenues and the relatively poor condition of the tarmac in some streets. You always have to keep an eye for potholes.

Curiously enough, the critical mass has proved to be a great success but the number of people who uses the bike regularly continues to be relatively low, though things are starting to change a bit.

If you are in Madrid, you are more than welcome to pay us visit at our workshop located very close to Malasaña / Plaza de España.

I ride in the Bus lanes too, but technically you're not supposed to, and as you mention, the plastic shark fin sort of bollards they installed can be a real pain.

Next time I'm in Madrid I will definitely visit your workshop. Looks really neat!

Except these nutters of course

YouTube- Lisbon Downtown 08 Downhill Race (Lisboa)

If you think Madrid has nothing going on, you guys should hit Lisbon, it's hotter (than Madrid) this time of the year, and there's nothing but MTBs at sundays. NO ONE cycles! Fact! : (

Riding fixed in the Bairro Alto would be fairly petrifying.

Ha! Are you guys friends with Rafa from Los Chicos? He sent me a link to your site a few months ago... Saludos a todos por ahí... :]

I live in Madrid and I am not aware about this issue.

I use the bus lane whenever I find it convenient. The problem is that few years ago they installed plastic bollards in some streets to prevent cars from using / parking in the bus lanes. If you ride regularly in the bus lanes, chances are that you may end up getting stuck behind a bus with no possibility to overtake it until the next intersection / traffic lights.

Main issue about riding in Madrid is that cars tend to go relatively fast( up to 40-50km/h) in the main avenues and the relatively poor condition of the tarmac in some streets. You always have to keep an eye for potholes.

Curiously enough, the critical mass has proved to be a great success but the number of people who uses the bike regularly continues to be relatively low, though things are starting to change a bit.

If you are in Madrid, you are more than welcome to pay us visit at our workshop located very close to Malasaña / Plaza de España.

Actually, there is a guy here in Amsterdam who builds and repairs fixed gear bikes (and any sort of bike for that matter, but he is into the fixed side of the force) and he is originally from Lisbon. He told me he and a friend are opening the first Fixed specific shop in Lisbon sometime soon. His name is Vitor, he's a really nice guy. You could send him an email if you want some info about riding in Lisbon http://www.recycledbicycles.org/

I know him, I've sold him some stuff in the past.

Riding fixed in the Bairro Alto would be fairly petrifying.

That video is actually in Alfama.
In Bairro Alto it would be really flat.

El guapo, I am so excited to hear that you found some cycling culture! last time I was in Madrid I almost dropped my ice cream too at the sight of a bike. I'm glad to see everyones input here, Sindundane, thanks for all the great info, I am definitely checking out the critical mass in madrid and stopping by that shop. If anyone has any more info or contacts riding in Madrid please let me know! I am trying to make my stay there as bike friendly and exciting as possible.

Also, I ride in Chicago, which has become a relatively good biking city, but my Spanish friends tell me that Madrid is a death trap and that they refuse to let me ride there. Any thoughts? Is it really that bad?

my Spanish friends tell me that Madrid is a death trap and that they refuse to let me ride there. Any thoughts? Is it really that bad?

You get a lot of that in Madrid from non-riders, but it really isn't that bad. It's just another big city, so if you know how to negotiate your way through traffic, you'll be OK. Try riding in the smaller streets as much as you can, rather than on main ones, and beware of cars overtaking you to turn right or coming out at junctions. You'll soon realise taxi drivers are your only true enemy.

I've ridden seriously drunk in Madrid and I've survived, so you'll be OK :) If you're still there in June, I'll be in town for a couple of days, we can go for a ride and a few beers.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AMsLAprkMc[URL="http://www.google.com/search?q=related:http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D7AMsLAprkMc&hl=en&safe=off&tbs=vid:1&tbo=u&ei=ZGTRS66TG5KrsAbIndS2Dg&sa=X&oi=video_result&resnum=1&ct=more-results&ved=0CAgQrAQwAA&docid=0"][/URL]

Hi everybody.

Finally i can contribute with something useful to this place since im from Madrid.
Actually third generation and that it´s to say a lot since nobody it´s actually from Madrid.

Awesome city to ride fixed or whatever.

Incredible big fast alleys or small old steeped streets with really tight corners. We have a couple of really steeped streets that we use for sprints from time to time.
nice weather most of the year.
amazing beer.
small group of all-of-the.year-riders but most of them great people to share a Mahou.
we havent had a big bang of
colored aerospokes, fixed gear madness and i think it has its pros and cons. I stuck with the pros.

El guapo:
So yes, theres a lot going on, and next time please get in contact, wheter you bring a bike or not (we can always get you one).

Alockett:
Barcelona its way far than us with bike culture. People there uses bikes everyday and, as you say, they have a city bike hiring that everybody use.They are thinking of this too in Madrid. Will see.
On the oher hand i love to ride Madrid wherever i please, between cars or sidewalks. Bike lanes will ruin the fun (thats personal opinión. Lots of people wouldn´t agree) and up to this momento police dont care about bikes (cars either).

Teenslain:
Rafa is one of my best friends and another reason to come to Madrid are Los Chicos (http://www.myspace.com/loschicosrocks)!!!!

If you come to Madrid get in contact!!!!

Ciclosnoviciado.com
Fixidixi.com

riding in lisbon is much worse than madrid. it's not only the taxi drivers that don't respect riders, it's pretty much everyone else. it's a fucking jungle!

the pavement is crap, lots of holes and cracks, unused tram rails waiting to grab your wheels and shove you to the ground, pedestrians coming off the sidewalks to your narrow 1m space because of cars parked on the sidewalks, etc.

if you survive riding in lisbon daily you'll ace every other city.

i know, i'm a bike messenger here, and boy is it tough.

yo thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it! I regularly bike chicago, so hopefully I can handle Madrid, regardless it will be worth the challenge. Hopefully I'll run into some of you while im there!