Strategic design of permeability and continuity of infrastructure of the Madrid 360 cycling network

The preparation of a study to enhance cycling permeability and the drafting of the action program for the development of the Madrid 360 cycling network were requested by the Directorate General of Planning and Mobility Infrastructure of the Madrid City Council. This task was carried out collaboratively by EBxM (En Bici por la Movilidad) and Khora Urban Thinkers, who combine their expertise to provide strategic and operational insights aimed at promoting bicycle use in Madrid.

THE CHALLENGE

Bicycle use in the city is being promoted by the Madrid City Council. However, two distinct challenges are being faced. On one hand, the current urban cycling solutions are disconnected throughout the territory, increasing the sense of danger and discouraging potential users. On the other hand, the city’s main urban corridors lack a transversal and interdepartmental perspective that would provide a cohesive vision and narrative emphasizing the importance of their development.

THE SOLUTION

The redefinition of Madrid’s identity cycling corridors was led by Khora. After an initial analysis of existing Municipal Plans – such as the Green Infrastructure Plan and the Cycling Mobility Master Plan (2008, 2016) – a strategic proposal was developed. This proposal focused not only on cycling but also on the renaturalization of green spaces and their integration with public space and ground-floor activities. The resulting approach provided a comprehensive and consensual solution.

The identity corridors are defined as representative streets of Madrid’s districts, characterized by significant street widths and a prominent presence in the collective imagination. These streets have witnessed historical events, cultural movements and social changes and today function as key connection routes between transport stations and city-scale facilities. They are intensively used by public spaces that contribute to neighbourhood identity. Within the Cycling Mobility Master Plan, these streets are classified as “main corridors,” which are considered strategic elements in the configuration of the Basic Network. The redefinition of some of these corridors as identity corridors aimed to broaden the scope of proposed transformations. The focus shifted from interventions solely intended to improve mobility to comprehensive interventions in public spaces. The corridors that were analyzed include Paseo de las Delicias, Paseo de la Castellana, Calle Alcalá, and Calle Ríos Rosas.