What is on the horizon for cycling in Lisbon?

Lisbon, the vibrant “City of the 7 Hills,” is on a journey of transformation, reimagining the way its citizens move. Though its topography presents challenges, the city is embracing a new vision for mobility—one where cycling plays a pivotal role in reshaping urban life. At the heart of this transformation is MOVE Lisboa, a bold strategic plan for 2030 that seeks to revolutionize transport in Lisbon, with bicycles taking center stage.

A City Primed for Cycling—Despite the Hills

Contrary to the city’s hilly reputation, 73% of Lisbon’s streets are either flat or have slopes of less than 5%, making them ideal for cycling. Still, it wasn’t until 2017 that the bike began to be seen as a genuine mobility option for many. The introduction of GIRA, Lisbon’s public bike-share system, alongside significant investments in cycling infrastructure, has slowly started to change perceptions. Although only 0.6% of trips were made by bicycle in 2017, this marks a dramatic 200% increase from 2011. And yet, the city is aiming higher, looking to follow in the footsteps of European counterparts where cycling makes up as much as 40% of urban trips.

Building a Bike-Friendly City

Since 2009, Lisbon has steadily expanded its cycling infrastructure, with a marked focus on the city’s core areas since 2015. By 2021, the city planned to build 200 kilometers of bike lanes, ensuring that 93% of the population lives within 300 meters of a cycling path. With cycle-pedestrian bridges and intermodality—allowing bikes to travel for free on the subway, buses, trains, and ferries—Lisbon is committed to making cycling both convenient and accessible. For a city that only inaugurated its first 3 kilometers of cycleway in 2001, this is a dramatic leap forward.

MOVE Lisboa: A Vision for 2030

Lisbon’s mobility story doesn’t stop here. With MOVE Lisboa, the City Council envisions a future where cycling is woven seamlessly into the city’s fabric. The 2030 mobility strategy calls for a people-centered transport ecosystem that is accessible, reliable, and safe—transforming Lisbon into a European leader in urban mobility.

Key Cycling Initiatives

The city’s ambitious cycling plan includes:

• Expanding the cycling network: 200 kilometers of new, safe, and continuous bike lanes, connecting key areas like residential neighborhoods, green spaces, and job centers.
• Calming traffic: Implementing traffic-calming measures in residential areas and creating safer cycling links between neighborhoods.
• Supporting public transport integration: Facilitating seamless travel between bikes and public transit, making cycling an integral part of multimodal journeys.
• Making cycling accessible: Supporting the purchase of bicycles and promoting shared electric bikes.
• Improving parking: Expanding bike racks for short-term parking and creating secure long-term parking at key transit hubs.
• Boosting bike-share systems: Extending the public bike-sharing network, with a focus on including electric bikes.
• Raising awareness: Promoting the advantages of cycling for daily commutes and providing public information to encourage its adoption.
• Enhancing digital tools: Developing apps and tools to support cycling and other active modes of transport.

A Shift in Lisbon’s Mobility Paradigm

Lisbon is joining a wave of progressive European cities that are rethinking their urban landscapes. MOVE Lisboa signals the city’s commitment to shifting away from a car-centered model and toward a pedestrian, cyclist, and public transport-first approach. Cycling, in particular, is positioned as a catalyst for change, a vehicle not just for individual mobility but for societal transformation.

A Future for the People

By placing cycling at the forefront of its mobility strategy, Lisbon aspires to create a greener, healthier, and more liveable city. The bicycle is more than just a mode of transport—it is a symbol of freedom, sustainability, and the kind of future that Lisbon is working towards: a city where people, not cars, come first.

Through MOVE Lisboa, the city is forging a path towards a brighter, more connected, and sustainable urban future—one where the humble bicycle is key to unlocking Lisbon’s full potential.

source :

https://ecf.com/news-and-events/news/move-lisboa-what-horizon-cycling-lisbon