Poblenou Council Approves Expanded Mobility Plan, Bringing New Cycle Lanes and Parking Fees

Major changes are coming to Poblenou’s streets after City Hall officially adopted the Expanded Mobility Plan for 2026-2027 on Tuesday. The package, approved in the District plenary by a 14-6 vote, prioritises new cycling infrastructure, increased parking fees in central zones, and targeted sidewalk improvements. City officials say the new measures will impact more than 35,000 residents in the district, with rollout commencing before the end of the month.

The latest Council decision lands at a time of ongoing debate over urban transport, air quality and local business turnover. Pedestrianisation has topped local agendas since the 2023 Poblenou Air Quality Directive, which found that commutes in Sant Martí district contribute 24% of the area’s carbon emissions (Ajuntament de Barcelona, 2024 Mobility Report). Mobility access and rising business costs have dominated recent neighbourhood assemblies, where traders and parent associations have pressed for balanced reforms that support both safety and local commerce.

Winners: Cyclists and Central Residents

The most direct beneficiaries are cyclists and families living near Plaça de les Glòries and Rambla del Poblenou, who will see an additional 5.3 kilometres of dedicated bike lanes opened by November. The Council’s infrastructure map, released in conjunction with Budget Paper 2026, details new protected lanes on Carrer de Llull and Carrer de Pujades, as well as 19 new bike-parking pods near schools. The urban mobility office projects cycle traffic to jump 22% within 18 months in these corridors.

Parking fees are also set to increase by up to 38% in the Superilla zones bordered by Carrer de Tànger and Carrer de Badajoz. According to the adopted ordinance, hourly on-street parking in these sectors will reach €3.65 from September, while rates in La Verneda and Sant Martí de Provençals will rise more modestly by €0.40. Local retailers worry these central fee hikes may shift car traffic towards streets outside the Superilla area, potentially increasing congestion in periphery blocks that do not benefit from the new cyclist and pedestrian infrastructure.

Missed Out: Outlying Neighbourhoods and Motorists

Residents of Besòs, Provençals del Poblenou and the industrial estate zone will not see substantial infrastructure upgrades this year. The final plan, as documented in the Council’s Implementation Schedule (Annex II, June 2026), allocates only routine maintenance to these eastern and northern areas, while major cycling and pedestrian interventions are focused closer to the city core. Motorists who commute from these neighbourhoods are expected to pay slightly higher fees, especially where local businesses rely on deliveries or shift work. Policy analysts say shoppers in outer Poblenou will mostly experience cost rather than convenience changes for now.

The budget for all new works totals €11.4 million for 2026-27, with €8.1 million earmarked specifically for cycle lanes, traffic-calming measures and public outreach campaigns. The Council’s press office confirms that €2 million of this pool is dedicated to accessibility works at four metro entrances and two high-traffic schools, with the rest going to street hardware and temporary safety barriers. Cycle user groups have welcomed the spending but say extensions are still needed east of Avinguda Diagonal for true district-wide benefit.

Looking ahead, the Mobility Office expects to begin consultations in October to determine whether zones east of Rambla Prim and near the 22@ innovation district will be included in the next planning round. For now, Poblenou’s core residents will see both bonus amenities and steeper parking charges, while many on the district’s fringes wait for substantial upgrades in future budgets.