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Spain

Madrid

Spain's capital of grand museums and a royal palace. One of Europe's largest metro networks covers the city.

bicimad

The city-run bicimad is all e-bikes, pay-as-you-go at EUR 0.50 for the first 30 minutes. The catch is sign-up: the list of phone-number countries it accepts is short and Japan is not on it - check yours before you fly.

Updated on August 20, 2026

How to ride

  1. 1
    Install the app and sign up with MPass
    Sign up for MPass, EMT's shared account, in the bicimad app and link a payment card. Minimum age is 14.
  2. 2
    Read station status on the map
    On the map green means low occupancy, blue medium, red high, grey out of service. Bikes parked around a station work too.
  3. 3
    Unlock by QR, bike number or NFC
    Scan the bike's QR code or type its ID in the app. A linked card tapped on the dock or the lock also works.
  4. 4
    Ride on the road or in the bike lane
    Outside cycle lanes ride in the centre of the lane. Pavements are banned; on wider streets keep right, beside the bus lane.
  5. 5
    Dock the bike and check it took
    Push the bike into the dock, then check the green light and the change on screen. Red means it failed, amber means wait.
  6. 6
    Use overflow only when the station is full
    If it is full, park inside the GPS perimeter around the station and close the lock. A crossed-out P means you are outside it.

Fares

Single fares2

bicimad, first 30 minutes (pay as you go)
The default contrato basico, which every account starts on
0.5 EUR ≈ $0.6
bicimad, second 30 minutes (30-60 min)
Added on top once you pass 30 minutes, so a full hour comes to 1.00 euro
0.5 EUR ≈ $0.6

Passes & multi-ride2

bicimad flat rate (tarifa plana, 30 days)
Unlimited free rides of up to 30 minutes; overtime is charged at the same 0.50 then 3 euro
10 EUR ≈ $11
BicibusEMT (bus transfers plus bicimad)
A 90-minute EMT bus transfer ticket - 1.50 euro for the first ride, plus 0.30 on the transfer, 1.80 in total
1.5〜1.8 EUR ≈ $2

Add-ons & fees1

bicimad, beyond 60 minutes (per 30 min)
Past the hour the rate jumps to 3 euro for each further 30 minutes
3 EUR ≈ $3

Estimates use exchange rates as of November 4, 2026

Payment

Tap to ride
The reader identifies a pre-linked card; a bank card alone releases nothing
IC card
At the gates: A linked transport card can unlock a bike; billing still runs through MPass
App tickets
BiciMADMadrid Mobility 360
Charged afterwards to the card linked to your MPass account
Paper tickets
No paper ticket gives access to the bikes
Cash
There is no way to hire with cash

Quick facts

Hours
24/7, all year
Fares from
0.5 EUR+

Heads-up

  • A ride that never closes keeps being billed

    Watch the lock and the screen until the ride actually closes. A ride that never ends stays open and keeps being billed as ordinary usage time.

  • Bikes belong on the road, not on pavements

    Bikes belong on the road; the ordinance explicitly bars pavements and pedestrian areas. The one exception is a marked acera-bici, at up to 10 km/h.

  • The M-30 ring road and its slip roads are closed to bikes

    The M-30 ring road and its slip roads are closed to bicycles. City tunnels are allowed if you run front and rear lights and no sign says otherwise.

  • Bus lanes are not for bikes - ride in the lane beside them

    Bus lanes are not where bikes belong. On multi-lane streets ride in the rightmost lane next to the bus lane, unless signage expressly allows bikes in it.

  • Helmets are compulsory for riders under 18

    Helmets are compulsory under 18. bicimad hires from age 14.

  • No stand-up e-scooter to hire in the city

    There is no stand-up e-scooter to hire in Madrid. The city revoked all three operators' permits in 2024 and stated it would issue no new ones.

Timetable

Operating hours 24/7, all year
Typical duration Every bike is electric-assist, which counts for a lot on Madrid's slopes
Check the official site for the latest times and service status
Editor Naotaka