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Tours of Madrid

We are sorry, but we have to say it: Madrid is not a cycling-friendly city. Only a few adventurous cyclists dare circulate the traffic packed city center, there are few bike lanes and most Spanish people consider bycicles a non-serious means of transport -for children, teenagers and freaks. But Madrid City Council is decidedly committed to the promotion of cycling as urban transport, and there is a project of a network of 274 kilometers bike lanes which will link together all Madrid districts.
There are quite a lot of 'madrileños' fond of cycling as a sport, though. For them there is the anillo verde ciclista ( green cycling ring) which goes round Madrid along 60 kilometers.

But still, cycling can be a perfect way to get to know the center of madrid, avoiding traffic jams, going up and down the metro and covering distances which would be very difficult to do on foot. The best idea is to let yourself be guided by one of the agencies in Madrid that organize bike guided tours, they will take you along safe and charming paths, away from the mad drivers .. In the summer you'd better wear good sun protection, but the routes are not too demanding, anyway. Some of the agencies also organize cycling tours in Madrid's countryside and in other parts of Spain --a country whith beautiful areas for cycling far from the beaten track.
See the daytrips section for information on sites round Madrid.

Bike tours agencies:

• Mad bike (tours round Madrid)
• Bravo Bike (routes in Spain)
• Urban Movil (bike and segway, rent and tours)
• BikeSpain (tours in Madrid and Spain)

Bike shops for renting or repair:

• Bicimanía (c/ Palencia, 20)
• Bike Comp Shop (c/ Antonio Pérez, 16)
• Otero (c/ Segovia, 18-20)
• Calmera (c/ Atocha, 998)
  

USING THE METRO:
Underground users can transport a bike on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays all day.
Only one bicycle per person and two bicycles per wagon will be allowed.
The access to the underground will only be permitted through the corridors attended by the station personnel, whom will give you access through the gates.
Access can be denied at rush hours, a break down, etc.
The use of escalators or moving platforms is not permitted either when carrying the bike.

TAKING BUSES:
Each bus operator has its own regulations concerning the transport of bicycles, so the best idea is to phone the company. See bus operators telephones.
Generally speaking there is no problem to get your bike on the bus, but it always depends on how busy is the line and the timetable you intend to take, so again the best idea is to phone. And arrive early. You have more chances to place your bicycle.
Use a bicycle cover. Otherwise use big plastic bags, but cover the bicycle properly so the driver is not concerned with the bus being dirtied.

TAKING TRAINS:
Short distance trains (Cercanias) in Madrid admit bycicles according to timetables which vary for each line. See Timetables in pdf (only available in Spanish) Most of them accept bikes at weekends and holidays all day.

Regional trains transport bicycles when they have enough space for them. If there is no space for your bike you'll have to wait for the next regional train or get your money back. lf you are going to travel in a group of more than 3 you will need to ask for permission. Try to be at least 20 minutes early when getting the bycicles on board.

Long distance trains admit bicycles at no extra cost as baggage if you are travelling in a sleeping wagon, two bikes per compartment are allowed -one per person- and they should be situated under the bunk beds.
For more information contact RENFE at 902 24 02 02
or see RENFE regulations on bycicle transport.