Santa Cruz Eyes Rambla Bike Lane Plan

Santa Cruz de Tenerife's city council is looking into a plan that could change how people get around the capital. They are considering adding a new bike lane to a section of the Rambla de Santa Cruz.

According to information from the council, this idea aims to create a dedicated lane for bicycles and personal electric vehicles (like scooters) in an area currently used by pedestrians. This would require checking if it fits with existing rules. The project would be part of a larger bike network, connecting the Las Tinajas area (near García Sanabria Park) with Avenida de Anaga, and stretching from the Nautical Club to San Andrés. The Port Authority and the Cabildo (island council) would also be involved.

Carlos Tarife, the Councillor for Public Services, announced that his department will spend this year developing a proposal to see if this infrastructure is possible. Afterwards, the Mobility department will review the plan to decide if it can be built. The main reasons for this project are the steep slope of this part of the Rambla – it's the steepest section – and the number of cyclists who use it, especially children. The goal is to create a separate lane so these users don't have to use the main road. However, city rules usually say bikes and personal electric vehicles shouldn't be on pedestrian paths or sidewalks, and should instead use dedicated lanes or the road.

To move forward with this study, 15,000 euros have been set aside from the Public Services department's 76-million-euro budget for 2026. This money will pay for a detailed analysis of how the bike lane could be built on this specific part of the Rambla. This section only has one playground (opposite Fray Albino school) and no kiosks or outdoor cafes. The project can only go ahead if this study confirms it fits with the city environment and current rules.

This plan highlights the challenge of encouraging green transport while also keeping pedestrians safe and following city rules in public areas. The city is looking for an exception to its current mobility rules, which usually require cyclists to use the right lane of the road if there's no bike lane. Making an exception here could set a pattern for similar projects in other parts of the city. Getting all the different government bodies to work together will be crucial for this bike network to become a reality in the capital.