Santa Cruz is currently engaged in a bold initiative aimed at transforming urban transportation methods. The goal is to diminish the use of private vehicles in favour of more sustainable means of transport, with the intention of ensuring an enhanced quality of life and better environmental conditions. This vision is the foundation for the establishment of the island’s first cycling network, which will span 23 kilometres from the municipal capital, featuring segregated lanes specifically for personal mobility devices (PMDs) and shared cycling streets where bicycles and scooters will coexist with vehicles, ensuring a speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour.
The cycling network’s initial segment has started to take shape through a bicycle lane, covering 2,420 square metres, traversing the streets of Méndez Núñez, El Pilar, Villalba Hervás, Bravo Murillo, San Sebastián, José Manuel Guimerá, and Glorieta Tres de Mayo. Construction is anticipated to be completed by the upcoming April. This initiative has sparked debate among residents; some have voiced concerns regarding the removal of parking spaces and the ensuing chaos, while others commend the “courageous” commitment to sustainability.
However, this initiative is not a spontaneous occurrence; it forms part of a comprehensive plan detailing the future design of the municipal cycling network. This plan has been crafted by sustainability and urban ecology expert Manuel Calvo, who has previously assisted numerous municipalities in Spain, including Seville, in establishing their bike lanes.
Calvo, who has been in Santa Cruz this week conducting workshops for students in sustainable practices, emphasised the necessity of parallel communication and educational efforts to facilitate a shift towards more environmentally-friendly models. “The transition towards these models often lags because we need to expedite awareness and acceptance of these changes,” he stated.
He further acknowledged that any transformation invariably faces opposition and controversy, as evidenced by the current discussions surrounding the bike lane in Santa Cruz. “Complaints are a normal reaction, but it is crucial to address them and to courageously move forward. Political will must be unwavering; despite any protests, there remains a significant proportion of the population in support of these actions. In my experience, political leaders who advocate for such urban changes often reap electoral benefits,” he articulated.
When asked about the adequacy of the bike lane design implemented thus far, particularly in light of the backlash from local residents, shopkeepers, and taxi drivers opposing reduced parking, the expert was confident. “From what I have observed, the design appears commendable, although it needs to be connected to a broader cycling network for user comfort. Nonetheless, in this initial phase, the efforts undertaken are appropriate concerning design, layout, and strategic intent,” he remarked.
In relation to this, Calvo asserted that for bicycle mobility to thrive in the city, a complete infrastructure network must be established. He reiterated that the current developments in Santa Cruz represent merely the beginning of a planned 23-kilometre cycling network, which they hope to see completed promptly. Once this network is fully integrated and supported by appropriate cycling infrastructure, usage amongst the populace for commuting via bike or scooter in a safe and convenient manner will commence,” he explained.
He noted that in cities like Seville, Barcelona, or Valencia, discussions about expanding bike lanes or enhancing existing ones to reclaim space from vehicles have become commonplace. “As cycling becomes increasingly embedded in Santa Cruz’s transport framework, existing resistance will likely diminish,” he predicted.
Calvo reinforced that “the future of urban mobility hinges on providing suitable infrastructure that encourages short trips, which are currently undertaken by private car, to transition towards walking and cycling. Thus, sustainable urban mobility must foster a tripartite alliance of walking, cycling, and public transport, while acknowledging that longer journeys, or those involving individuals with mobility challenges, will still necessitate car use—preferably electric vehicles.”
Supporting his advocacy for cycling mobility, Calvo shared data revealing that “50% of all car journeys currently made in Spanish cities are for distances under 5 km, with one in four covering less than 2 km. Consequently, for longer trips, an intermodal approach connecting public transport with cycling is essential, thus every cycling initiative should be accompanied by transport networks designed for easy bicycle access, allowing users to park securely and transfer seamlessly to bus or tram services.”
A vision for urban sustainable mobility is progressing in Santa Cruz, aiming to make bicycles (both standard and electric) and scooters accessible and health-conscious means of transport. “The objective is to redefine mobility in such a way that it does not contribute to pollution or endanger users. Once the cycling network is interconnected, the most significant change will be evident as bicycles emerge from storage spaces, facilitated by the provision of infrastructure that supports safe transit from one location to another,” he foresees.
In addition, reflecting on his previous role in implementing the bike lane in Seville, Calvo pointed out that “initially, there was considerable public backlash. However, now a third of journeys are made via scooters and two-thirds via bicycles, translating to more than 9% of all trips in the city now being made on two wheels, up from a mere 0.2% two decades ago.”
Cycling Advocacy
Moreover, cycling advocacy groups from Tenerife, including bike groups and Santa Cruz cyclists, have positively reflected on the anticipated arrival of the cycling network in Santa Cruz. They support the promotion of cycling while widening urban pedestrian zones, applauding the City Council’s “brave commitment” to integrate cycling mobility within the municipality, facilitating a municipal network of bike lanes that will link the city centre and its suburbs through various routes.
In this regard, Algeria Álvarez, spokesperson for the cycling community in Tenerife, expressed that “the capital already
needed the design of a comprehensive cycling network, which will be enhanced with seven bike lane routes that will connect various locations within the municipality. This has been a request from different associations for many years. The dispute emerging among residents and merchants is understandable given their concerns that it may cause more harm than good. However, in the long term, the cycle lane is not expected to create significant conflict, as it aims to reduce traffic on the main thoroughfares, thereby alleviating congestion, particularly in the town centre, and contributing to lower pollution and noise levels.
Álvarez remarked that “ultimately, these transformations enhance urban quality, environmental space, and promote much more pleasant mobility, in this case through bike lanes that will lessen the overwhelming presence of cars in the city today.”
Regarding the design currently being developed for the first phase of the Santacrucero bike lane implementation, the spokesperson noted that “ideally, the overall network for the municipality should have been proposed before personal mobility plans. Unfortunately, circumstances didn’t allow for that. Due to the European Union’s requirement to create low-emission zones, the municipal mobility department initially decided to establish the lanes and later organise the overall network’s design.”
Álvarez highlighted that “this type of mobility isn’t new; it is already seen across Europe and in several provinces of Spain, although we have been slower to adopt it. Santa Cruz is now taking this step, and we hope it will inspire other municipalities on the island to develop more bike lanes.”
Similarly, the spokesperson for Santa Cruz by Bike, Tino Bollo, commented that “the municipality has been working on the cycling lane for 15 years. Nothing groundbreaking or innovative is being introduced, but the hesitations that arise are understandable. The reality is that despite criticisms, it will be a success and will proceed.”
Bollo emphasised that “although some claim that the bike lane is unwarranted due to a lack of demand, the reality is that it will emerge naturally, as seen in other cities that have made this investment. One cannot determine how many people wish to cycle around Santa Cruz because the primary limitation currently is safety against potential mishaps. The same applies to assertions that it is a hilly city where cycling cannot be feasible, but electric bikes address that issue.”
From the association’s perspective, this initiative should be linked with the provision of buses and the tram service, as well as increasing bike parking facilities. “It is essential to create complementary infrastructure and promote intermodality to facilitate movement around the city.” In this regard, he believes that “the commitment to the cycling network must be ambitious for the bike lane to succeed as intended, as its objective is to gradually reduce the space currently occupied by cars in favour of pedestrians and cyclists. In doing so, the city will thrive.”
