BiciMAD Guide: How Madrid’s Public E-Bikes Work and Cost
BiciMAD is the city's electric bike-share, run by EMT. How to sign up in the app, what a ride costs, the rules for riders and the main cycling routes.
BiciMAD is Madrid’s public electric bike-share, run by the municipal transport company EMT. You sign up in the BiciMAD app, and as of November 2026 a ride costs €0.50 for each of the first two half-hours and €3 for every half-hour after that. A €10 monthly flat rate makes rides of up to 30 minutes free. Riders must be at least 14.
How do you sign up for BiciMAD?
- Download the app. The official app is “BiciMAD EMT Madrid” on iOS and Android.
- Create your account. Access works through MPass, EMT’s single post-paid account for its services. You add your details and a bank card, which is charged after you ride.
- Choose a plan. Pick pay-per-use (the basic contract) or the 30-day flat rate.
- Take a bike. At a station, select or scan the bike in the app. Return it to any station with a free dock and check that the app confirms the end of the ride.
People aged 14 to 17 can use BiciMAD only if a parent or legal guardian signs them up and accepts responsibility. Madrid’s tourism site also mentions passes of 1, 3 or 5 days bought at station totems for occasional users; check the terms on the BiciMAD site before relying on them, as the service has changed its plans several times.
How much does a BiciMAD ride cost?
The prices below are those published on the BiciMAD website, as of November 2026.
| Basic contract (pay per use) | 30-day flat rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | None | €10 |
| First 30 minutes | €0.50 | Free, unlimited rides |
| Second 30 minutes | €0.50 | €0.50 |
| Each further 30 minutes | €3 | €3 |
The arithmetic is simple: the flat rate pays off from the 21st short ride in a month. If you cycle to work and back on most working days, it wins. For a few rides a week, stay on pay-per-use. Either way, the steep €3 charge from the second hour is there to keep bikes moving, so dock and take a new bike if you are out for long.
BiciMAD is billed separately from public transport. The Abono Transporte does not cover it; see our Abono price guide to compare costs.
Where are the stations?
According to Madrid’s official tourism site, the system has more than 8,000 electric bikes and more than 680 docking stations. They are densest inside the M-30 ring, in districts such as Centro, Chamberí, Salamanca, Retiro, Arganzuela and Moncloa, and the network has spread to outer districts in recent years. The app map shows live bikes and free docks at each station. In the evening rush, docks near Sol and the business districts can fill up, so check for a free dock before you set off.
What rules apply to cyclists in Madrid?
- Helmets: BiciMAD requires a helmet for riders under 18 and recommends it for adults. Under national rules adult cyclists must wear one only outside urban areas.
- Pavements: do not ride on sidewalks unless a cycle path is marked there. Ride on the road or in bike lanes.
- Shared lanes: many streets have ciclocarriles, lanes marked with a bike symbol and a 30 km/h limit, where bikes have priority to ride in the middle of the lane.
- Phones and alcohol: the traffic rules for drivers on phones, headphones and alcohol also apply to cyclists.
- Lights: ride with lights at night; BiciMAD bikes have them built in.
Electric scooters follow separate rules and cannot be taken on Madrid’s buses or Metro.
Where can you cycle comfortably?
The Anillo Verde Ciclista is a cycle path of about 64 km that circles the city through parks and outer neighborhoods, mostly separated from traffic. Inside the city, the most pleasant routes for beginners are Madrid Río along the Manzanares river, the Casa de Campo and Retiro Park. Segregated bike lanes link some districts, but the network has gaps, and central streets can be steep. The city’s cycling map shows lanes and shared streets. The electric assistance helps a lot on the climbs from Madrid Río up to the center.
What should you check before and after a ride?
- Test the brakes and look at the battery level shown on the bike before you leave the station.
- Report a damaged bike in the app instead of taking it, so you are not charged for faults.
- When you dock, wait for the app to confirm the end of the ride. An unconfirmed ride keeps the clock running.
- If a station is full, the app shows the nearest one with space.
For trips the bike does not suit, combine it with the Metro or buses; our guide to Metro hours and night buses covers late journeys.
Bottom line
Start on pay-per-use for a couple of weeks and switch to the €10 flat rate once you are riding most days. Plan routes through Madrid Río and parks at first, then try the bike lanes once you know the hills.
FAQ
Can tourists use BiciMAD?
Yes, with the app and a bank card. Check the current terms for occasional users on the BiciMAD site.
Is there a time limit on rides?
No fixed limit, but each half-hour after the first hour costs €3, so long rides get expensive.
Do I need a helmet on BiciMAD?
Only if you are under 18. Adults are not required to wear one in the city but BiciMAD recommends it.
Can I take a BiciMAD bike on the Metro?
No. Return it to a station and pick up another bike at the other end.
