The Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council has reinforced its commitment to cycling by constructing over 20 kilometers of new bike lanes or renovating existing ones during the current term. In total, more than 18 kilometers are new additions to the network, and nearly two kilometers involve improvements to established routes.
This progress report was released today, coinciding with the official unveiling of the renovated bidegorri on Avenida Gasteiz. This project, part of the citizen participation program Vitoria-Gasteiz Hobetuz, has enhanced 900 meters of cycling path. During this term, routes such as those in Los Herrán and Cuadrilla de Vitoria-Gasteiz have also been renewed.
Mayor Maider Etxebarria stated that this intervention "reorganizes public space to move the bike lane to the roadway, preventing conflicts between cyclists, pedestrians, and people at restaurant terraces. Ultimately, we bring tranquility and safety to walkers with necessary work that stems from citizen participation." In this regard, Miren Fernández de Landa, Councilor for Open Government and Civic Centers, congratulated the initiative's proponents, noting, "This city improvement proposal exemplifies the value of citizen participation when those who live in and use an area are directly involved. It was driven by residents of the Avenida de Gasteiz area seeking to improve coexistence between cyclists and pedestrians and became the most voted project in the public space category."
Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Public Space and Neighborhoods, Beatriz Artolazabal, emphasized, "Our goal isn't just to add kilometers of bike lanes for the sake of it. We aim to build a useful, safe, and well-connected network that makes cycling a realistic alternative for daily commutes. For work, study, moving between neighborhoods, or reaching the city center."
The projects undertaken during this term align with this philosophy: creating new connections within the city, improving existing routes, and facilitating cycling commutes to key areas like industrial parks, educational centers, and local councils.
The municipal commitment to cycling is further supported by the expansion of the secure bicycle parking network, VGbiziz. Eight new facilities have been added this term: five igloos in San Martín, Sansomendi, Santa Lucía, Bernal Díaz de Luco, and La Vitoriana, along with three bicilonjas in the Casco Viejo and Los Herrán. Additionally, a new facility is being contracted near the train station, and high-demand parking areas are being expanded.
"We want to make it increasingly easier for those who choose to cycle. This means having good bike lanes, but also secure connections and appropriate places to leave them. We are working on all these elements to make cycling a genuine mobility alternative in Vitoria-Gasteiz," Artolazabal added.
The old bidegorri on Avenida Gasteiz will be removed from the sidewalk. The City Council will address the current route to eliminate it permanently. Although the new bike lane has been operational for several weeks, some individuals continue to use the previous path along the sidewalk, leading to numerous resident complaints and increased vigilance by the Local Police.
The Department of Public Space and Neighborhoods will remove the pavement of the old lane and replace it with identical tiling to the rest of the sidewalk, fully integrating the space as a pedestrian zone. This project has a budget of 121,906 euros and an estimated completion time of one month.
