On the occasion of the Grand Départ of the Tour de France, which will take place in Barcelona on 2, 4 and 5 July, the City Council has designed an extensive mobility plan. This operation aims to ensure traffic flow and minimise disruptions for citizens during one of the most important sporting events of the year.
Impact on traffic and public transport
Six districts of the city, including Eixample, Sants-Montjuïc and Sant Martí, will see their mobility affected due to the restrictions imposed by the event. From days prior to the start of the Tour, traffic cuts and parking prohibitions will be implemented in various areas close to the established routes. The Guàrdia Urbana will deploy around 900 agents to regulate traffic and ensure public safety.
Public transport will also experience significant changes. An increase in demand is expected, with metro reinforcements that could reach up to 40%. However, some lines will suffer interruptions; for example, the metro will not stop at the Sagrada Familia station during certain hours on day 2 due to activities related to the team presentations.
To facilitate pedestrian movement during the event, more than 50 safe points will be established for crossing the affected streets. These crossings will be properly signposted and staffed to guide pedestrians. Additionally, temporary bridges will be installed to allow safe crossing without interfering with the race.
From the night of July 1, the most severe restrictions will begin. Access to the area around the Sagrada Familia will be limited during the opening ceremony, which will take place between 18:30 and 20:00. The measures will continue in the following days with scheduled cuts along the route established for each stage.
On the 4th, a time trial will take place affecting major roads such as the Avenida del Litoral and several structural axes of Eixample. The restrictions will begin around 12:00, peaking between 16:00 and 19:30, when the competition will take place.
Despite these temporary limitations, essential services will be ensured to remain operational through specific routes designed for emergencies. The last day of the event will also see similar restrictions around Montjuïc while another crucial stage takes place.
To keep the public informed about these changes, the City Council will launch an information campaign from mid-June. More than 400,000 leaflets will be distributed, in addition to using digital platforms and social media to communicate updates about mobility and urban services affected by the sporting event.
Through this campaign, we aim to ensure that all citizens are aware of how this major event will impact them,” said a municipal spokesperson.
Apart from the focus on mobility, Barcelona will also implement sustainable measures during the Tour. Daily selective collections will be carried out in all areas affected by the sporting event. Additionally, urban services will be reinforced with extra teams dedicated solely to keeping the routes used by cyclists clean.
As this major international event approaches, Barcelona demonstrates its organisational capacity in the face of complex logistical challenges while seeking to provide a safe experience for both residents and visitors.
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