El Médano Bike Lane Sparks Political Clash Over Parking Shortages
The Granadilla de Abona local government is facing political backlash from the PSOE over the loss of parking spaces caused by a new bike lane in El Médano, prompting the council to implement a multi-stage parking expansion plan and draft new mobility regulations.
Urban mobility in El Médano has become a political battleground, highlighting the tension between long-term planning and immediate public pressure. The PSOE in Granadilla de Abona is calling on the local government to suspend the new bike lane on Juan Carlos I Street, arguing that the project failed to include enough measures to offset the loss of parking spaces.
This situation has created a political paradox: the cycling project was originally launched by the previous socialist administration to meet European funding requirements. David Santos, a spokesperson for the PSOE, maintains that the project was an institutional necessity to secure those funds. Meanwhile, the current local government—a coalition of Coalición Canaria, Vox, and the PP—has dismissed the criticism as opportunistic. Spokesperson Candelaria Rodríguez defended the project, noting that the loss of 56 parking spaces is being addressed through an emergency plan for the town.
The City Council has outlined a multi-stage plan to solve the parking shortage. Immediate steps include opening new parking areas at El Cabezo (60 spaces), between Arenas del Mar and Pelada (40 spaces), and in the Trincheras area (60 to 70 spaces). Looking further ahead, the council plans to tender a modular parking lot with 160 spaces near Tenerife Street, add 80 spaces on land transferred by the Cabildo de Tenerife, and open a temporary park-and-ride facility for 200 vehicles. Additional projects, including a second modular lot and a future underground parking facility near the soccer field, are also in the works.
Finally, the City Council has begun drafting a new ordinance for Regulated Parking Zones and Mobility (ZERM). This proposal, currently open for public comment for 15 business days, aims to better manage public space by prioritizing residents and supporting local businesses. The plan may introduce green and blue parking zones or digital control systems, reflecting the ongoing challenge of balancing the needs of local residents with the high demand for mobility in popular coastal towns.