October 29, 2024 - The Spanish city of Valencia started the new year with a new accolade: European Green Capital 2024. Valencia earned the title because of its ambitious sustainability strategy, including almost five million square metres of green areas and routes that showcase the city’s unique flavours.

With over 200 kilometres of cycle paths, Valencia is also a bike-friendly city thanks to its size, flatness and historic centre. A 5km cycling ring in the centre that was opened in 2017 has seen a 214% increase in ridership.

In addition, vehicles are not allowed to exceed 30 kilometres an hour in the city’s historic centre, a speed limit which applies to about 75% of Valencia’s roads.

The city’s first cycling lane was built in 1982, but for decades Valencia revered motor vehicles — until climate change demanded reversing this situation. With the approval of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan in 2013, the city’s cycling network began to grow from 123km to 190km by 2022.

From 2015 to 2022, Valencia also reclaimed more than 150,000m2 of green pedestrian areas and 2,182m2 around 13 schools, resulting in 10% less traffic and a 10% increase in public transport usage, while emissions decreased by 15-25%.

One of the city’s most impressive green cycling corridors is the 9km Jardín del Turia, a relaxing route of gardens that cuts through the urban heart of the city for a leisurely and memorable cycling journey.

Another completely flat route starts at the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències and leads to beaches in the southside of the city, a 48km round trip excursion. Or try the 15km Via Xurra on an old railway line for exercise, nature and history as you explore these otherwise inaccessible rural environments.

There are also fabulous cycling adventures nearby with flat routes through the Albufera Natural Park, or more mountainous rides with mythical mountain passes inside two natural parks, the Sierra Calderona and the Sierra Espadán.

Valencia’s extensive network of cycle paths connects all of the city’s neighbourhoods, and there are also ciclocalles, bicycle-priority streets with lanes in the middle of the road, and a 30kph speed limit for general traffic.

The majority of residents, around 50%, move around the city by foot, with 6% choosing to cycle, while 16% use public transport and around 15% use private vehicles.

The city’s public bike-sharing system, Valenbisi, boasts 2,750 bicycles available via 275 stations that are set up in different strategic parts of the city to promote cycling and its integration into the transport chain. The first 30 minutes are free, and the service runs 24 hours a day year-round.

Valencia’s motto is “On a Mission Together” to reach their climate neutrality and environmental goals.