Beginning in 2007, 'Bicing' is Barcelona's city-wide bike share system. It's aim is to cover small and medium daily routes across the city in an environmentally sustainable way. With a Mediterranean climate, cycling is also the most comfortable form of transportation around the city!

Although not yet 'tourist friendly' (with the need to pre-register with a local address), the bike sharing system has been received by locals with great enthusiasm. It now covers approximately 70% of the city and several neighbouring cities have asked to extend the service to their region as well.

After the success of the Vélib' scheme in Paris, the 'Boris' bike share system in London (aka Barclays) and Stockholm City Bikes in Sweden, among others, bike shares seem to be a growing trend in cities all across Europe. I've been surprised to see how widely used these schemes remain even during the coldest and most dismal winter days... Will bike share systems soon replace the dominance of the car?

Photo courtesy Suzanne Wales.