End of shared bike licences confirmed

On 4 June 2026, Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni announced the non-renewal of private shared bicycle licences, with operations set to cease by 31 December 2026. Municipal sources confirm that no renewal will be granted and no new tender issued, meaning the city will remove 3,500 shared bikes from public space. The decision follows concerns over public space disruption. Collboni cited 7,195 fines and the removal of 2,683 bicycles by municipal cranes since mid-2024, with 922 fines issued in July 2026 alone. According to city sources, shared bikes must be locked to inverted-U anchor points, a rule frequently breached.

Operators prepare for shutdown, push for future return

Despite the ban, the seven companies operating in Barcelona – Bird, Bolt, Cooltra, Donkey Republic, Lime, RideMovi, and Voi – are preparing to store their fleets in warehouses by year end. They acknowledge the decision stands but hope the outcome of May's municipal elections could lead to a reversal. They argue the number of fines is negligible compared to over 3 million trips taken. Joan Salarich, Lime’s institutional relations lead in Barcelona, stated that penalties represent less than 0.18% of total journeys.

The model hasn't worked. There are bikes lying everywhere.

, Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona

We believe there are alternatives to suppression. We’ve reinforced joint patrols to correct parking.

, Industry representatives

Lime proposes operator reduction

Lime has proposed a restructured tender limiting operators to two or three, arguing that inefficiencies stem from fragmentation. They claim better-managed firms are penalised by weaker competitors.

Political pressure grows

In July 2026, Junts, Barcelona en Comú, ERC and the PP jointly urged Collboni to reconsider, calling the move an "irresponsibility" that could overload Bicing and public transport, and push users toward private vehicles. The city council maintains its stance, however, and confirms Bicing will not expand until late 2028. The current fleet of 3,478 bicycles will be withdrawn, and city officials say the majority of users are tourists. Lime disputes this, stating 40% of its users are locals.

Reported by en.ara.cat, naciodigital.cat, Diari ARA.