Barcelona’s Bicing public bike system is under intense scrutiny as users voice mounting frustration over electric-bike failures and unreliable app information, compounded by poor maintenance. In recent weeks, complaints have flooded social media, with subscribers describing stations packed with bikes sidelined by battery or mechanical faults, sometimes with impressive parts missing. Many say the service, once a model for urban mobility in Spain, is now struggling to meet basic expectations.
A report published by VilaWeb on 23 October described the problem at a station at the intersection of Carrer de Londres and Carrer de Muntaner, where five electric bikes were marked out of service. Its observations found that approximately half of the electric bikes examined were unavailable, while users also described stations where most or all visible bikes could not be used. The figure reflects the report’s station-level observations, not an official network-wide availability measure. One user, Ana, 45, summed up the frustration: “There are almost never any bikes.” Another said there were fewer bikes available in recent months and that they were not being replenished in the morning.
Among the most common grievances are electric bikes that appear unavailable in the app but are physically present at stations, or the reverse. Riders report broken chains and worn-out tires. Brakes often fail, too. Some users have even encountered bikes without pedals or with safety features disabled. The situation has become so unpredictable that regular commuters say they must leave home earlier to account for delays, undermining the reliability that once defined Bicing. VilaWeb also quoted a user describing shortages that persisted from one day to the next: “You pass by the night before and they’re already empty, and in the morning they’re the same.”
The municipal operator, Barcelona de Serveis Municipals (BSM), attributes part of the problem to recent extreme temperatures. BSM says heatwaves have triggered safety protocols that limit battery charging for electric bikes, which now make up 60% of the fleet and account for 80% of trips. The company says it has launched a technical and logistical plan to address the issue, including adjustments to charging systems and reviews of electronic equipment. The growing prominence of electric bikes in Bicing was also noted in a November 2025 analysis by El Nacional, which described them as increasingly displacing mechanical bikes. The company says it has launched a technical and logistical plan to address the issue, including adjustments to charging systems and reviews of electronic equipment. But, BSM has not responded to questions about other maintenance failures or whether user complaints have increased.
Long-term subscribers describe a sharp decline in service quality. One user with over a decade of experience says the app often displays inaccurate station data, making it difficult to plan commutes. Others say reporting incidents is cumbersome and rarely leads to timely solutions. Some, like Paula, rely on Bicing due to personal circumstances and have reported stations that remain inactive for days despite having available bikes. She says the lack of electric bikes and persistent brake issues have made daily use more challenging.
Mechanical problems are not the only concern. The recent redesign of the SMOU app has introduced new usability issues, with some users unable to unlock bikes with their cards or the app, depending on the station. The unpredictability has forced riders to walk longer distances to find working bikes, and many have stopped reporting problems altogether, citing the daily hassle of using the service.
Criticism extends beyond individual users. Adrià Arenas of the Bicicleta Club de Cataluña (BACC) argues that no other public transport service in the city suffers from such chronic maintenance issues. He compares the situation to a tram without doors or a metro without brakes, calling the current system “failed.”
Bicing’s operational stress shows in its scale: 170,000 users rely on a fleet of 8,000 bikes. Each averages 10 trips per day. The service, launched in 2007 and revamped in 2019 under a new contract with UTE Pedalem Barcelona, is now managed by a consortium involving CESPA-Serveo (Ferrovial) and the Canadian firm PBSC, which was later acquired by the US company Lyft. The city plans to expand the fleet to 12,000 bikes by 2029 as part of the next contract cycle.
The challenges facing Bicing echo broader issues in Barcelona’s public transport network. Recent disruptions on the Rodalies rail line have also drawn public ire, including the suspension of the R3 line following a major cable theft, as detailed in a report on the R3 Rodalies line suspension. Both cases show the pressure on urban mobility systems to provide reliable service and keep it well maintained as demand and technical complexity rise.
Public bike-sharing schemes like Bicing are a basic part of Barcelona’s sustainable transport strategy, aiming to reduce car use and improve air quality. The current wave of technical and operational failures threatens to erode public confidence. As the city prepares for Bicing’s next phase, residents who depend on the system for daily mobility will be watching the effectiveness of planned upgrades and maintenance reforms.
