Six kilometers of Gaudí's work, and only half an hour of cycling

Almost all the routes follow a similar pattern: they start outside the old town, cross the Ciutadella park so people can get comfortable on their bikes in a car-free area, head towards the Sagrada Família, and then return along Passeig de Gràcia. The routes list the distances in kilometers, measured along the actual roads, not in a straight line, and the estimated times are calculated at 12 km/h, which is the pace of a guided group with someone leading the way and signaling at each intersection.

If you're worried about the physical aspect, don't be. It's only six kilometers over three hours. Anyone who uses a bike to go to the store for bread can handle this.

Half an hour of cycling within a three-hour tour. The other two and a half hours are spent standing still: listening, looking, and waiting for the group to gather at the traffic lights. This is the information that reassures those who are hesitant, but it's also the most disappointing aspect for those who were hoping for a more active experience.

That's also where the useful comparison with the list on the side comes in. A walking route covers a mile and a half in the same amount of time; this one covers six. You don't see four times more things, but you do see the entire city connected: you understand that the Palau Güell and the Sagrada Família were both designed by the same architect, twenty years apart, and just ten minutes apart by bike.

This list combines three different types of vehicles because the suppliers categorize them together, under the concept of a "Gaudí route." Nine of the items are bicycles or electric bicycles. Five are Segways. And one is a two-seater electric car with GPS that tracks the route as you drive.

They all look more or less the same. What changes is how you perceive them and how much you pay for them.

The Segway is uncomfortable to ride, and you have to ride it anyway: it costs 41% more than a bike, scores nine hundredths less, and fewer people have tried it. If what attracts you is the novelty of riding it, go ahead, it's fun, and we're not going to say otherwise. If what you want is to see Gaudí, the bike is better on both counts.

The difference between a regular bike and an electric bike is less significant than you might think, because this route is flat from start to finish. The electric assist is helpful in two places: when climbing towards Gracia, and when riding against the wind along the promenade. For the rest of the route, it doesn't really matter, and a regular bike is usually a bit cheaper.

There are two private routes on this list: one lasting two hours for €136.82, and another lasting three hours for €155. Together, they have a total of seven reviews. Opposite them is the €24 option with 801 reviews and a rating of 4.9, which covers the same route in a small group.

In other sections of the catalog, a private tour is only justified in certain situations: within the Sagrada Familia, the size of the group significantly alters the overall experience. However, this is less of a factor when cycling, as the group is already dispersed by its nature, and the stops are outdoors. The main benefit of a private cycling tour is the flexibility to start at your preferred time and deviate from the route, which is valuable if you're with someone who gets tired easily or if you want to stop and take photos without having fifteen people waiting for you. Consider the six-fold price increase carefully before making a decision.

Barcelona has a network of bike lanes that covers almost the entire route, and where bike lanes are not available, the streets are limited to a speed of 30 kilometers per hour, which is the speed that guided tours typically follow. However, it is not permitted to ride on the sidewalks; it is prohibited except in very specific cases, and it is the violation for which tourists are fined.

The potential dangers, when they exist, don' properly from the cars. They come from pedestrians crossing the bike lane while looking at their phones, and from taxi doors suddenly opening. A skilled guide keeps the group in line and constantly reminds them of these two things, and that's why a group of fifteen or twenty people walking around the Eixample district works better than it might seem on paper.

Regarding the public bikes: don't rely on them. The Bicing system requires an annual subscription and is designed for residents, not tourists. All the options listed here have their own fleets, and the rental is included in the price.