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Cartagena's bike lanes set for expansion with new projects
The city’s cycle network has more than doubled since 2021, with further improvements on the way
Cycling in Cartagena has come a long way in recent years. Once a challenge due to the lack of safe routes, the city has seen its bike lane network more than double since the approval of the Sustainable and Accessible Urban Mobility Plan (PMUSA) in 2021. What was once just 12 kilometres of cycle paths has now grown to 34 kilometres, thanks to an investment of €9 million from European funds.The latest addition to the network, a bike lane linking Santa Ana and El Albujón via Miranda, is still under construction. Once completed, this six-kilometre stretch will mark the final piece of the 22-kilometre expansion achieved over the past five years. The project is expected to be finished by the end of April 2025, ahead of the June deadline.
But the development doesn’t stop there. According to Cristina Mora, Cartagena’s Mobility Councillor, further projects are in the pipeline. One of the next major improvements will be in Alameda de San Antón. The City Council has applied for funding from the new European Edil programme to finance a complete renovation of this key road. Three designs are under consideration, all of which include a dedicated bike lane to connect the city centre with San Antón. If approved, the plan will form part of a broader €19.5 million urban regeneration project.
Another significant development will come with the Rambla Plan, a major urban expansion on the left bank of the Benipila river. This new neighbourhood, to be built by private developers, will feature integrated bike lanes, helping to remove existing gaps in the cycle network. The aim is to create a seamless link between the Algameca road cycle path and the northern section near Tentegorra and the car park at La Rambla shopping centre.
A further boost to the city’s cycling infrastructure is expected with the construction of a new western access road, partly funded by the regional government with €4.9 million. The total cost of the project is estimated at €5.6 million. City planners have requested that a bike lane be included in the design, which would provide a smooth connection between the Sports Palace and the neighbourhoods of San José Obrero and Molinos Marfagones.
While these expansions are welcomed, some campaigners say more work is needed. MoviliCT, a group that has long advocated for sustainable mobility, acknowledges the efforts of Mayor Noelia Arroyo’s government but argues that key disconnections in the cycle network remain unresolved. Spokesperson José Ángel Vivancos points to five areas where bike lanes still don’t link up, including sections near Perpetuo Socorro, Calle Real and Casa del Mar.
MoviliCT is also pushing for greater investment in segregated bike lanes rather than shared-use paths and calling for improved signage at accident-prone areas like the San Vicente de Paúl roundabout. Another demand is the revival of the Bicity municipal bike rental scheme, which was discontinued and has yet to be reinstated. Campaigners argue that alongside better infrastructure, education on cycling safety in schools is essential.
Despite these concerns, Councillor Mora is optimistic about Cartagena’s progress. She highlights the success of Espacio Algameca, a popular walking and cycling route near the Navantia shipyard, which was developed despite complex land ownership negotiations. She also notes that neighbourhood demand has shaped many of the recent projects, with areas like Santa Ana and San Ginés benefiting from new bike-friendly routes.
With 60% of recent cycling projects funded by European grants and the rest covered by local taxes, the City Council remains committed to sustainable transport. As Cartagena continues to grow, the hope is that cycling will become an even safer and more attractive way to get around.
Image: Freepik
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