Barcelona Ombudsman calls for Bicing to block 'risky' bicycles that are not working properly

The Ombudsman's Office of Barcelona asks that Bicing block bicycles that are not working properly that can be a "risk."

The watchdog has taken up the case of a citizen who in October last year suffered a fall from a bike due to a malfunction in the vehicle which was not removed from circulation until the day after the accident.

The assessor considers that the notice of the breakdown was not adequate and also recommends that improvements be implemented in the complaints protocol.

In its resolution, the Ombudsman also denounces that the citizen was denied access to the bicycle's technical report several times, despite having the right to such information, and explains that the day before the accident several people had already considered that the vehicle was not working properly.

According to the Ombudsman, the man took an electric bicycle that initially allowed him to circulate, despite making "strange noises," until suddenly the front wheel was blocked, he fell to the ground and suffered injuries on his knee and hand.

The watchdog also indicates that the user "should not bear either the blame or the responsibility" for the damages resulting from the malfunctioning of the vehicles, pointing out that the responsible party is Pedalem, the contractor company responsible for maintenance, and that Barcelona Municipal Services has the obligation to supervise this work.