Half of pedestrians feel unsafe walking in Barcelona, new survey finds

Nearly half of pedestrians (47%) feel unsafe when walking in Barcelona.

This is one of the main findings of the latest survey undertaken by the RACC mobility club, based on responses ans obervations from thousands of people.

Some ​​37% describe it as 'quite' unsafe to be a pedestrian in the Catalan capital, while 10% say it is 'very' unsafe.

Situations such as crossing bike lanes to get to rubbish containers, or to access the bus stop, create a sensation of insecurity in 71% of pedestrian respondents.

RACC recommends reviewing these cases and looking for solutions that can make people feel less unsafe.

The survey also points out that one in three pedestrians walk with their mobile phone in their hand around the city, while the same number of people cross the road at red lights.

Pedestrians feel that electric scooter users cause the most amount of insecurity on the roads, with 78% agreeing. Vans and trucks were cited by 59% of pedestrians as causing a sensation of feeling unsafe, while electric bicycles were a cause for 56% of respondents.

When asked about the most reckless users, pedestrians mainly point to users of electric scooters (83%), followed by users of electric bicycles (68%) and delivery people (61%).

The vast majority point to excessive speed as the main factor of unsafeness, followed by driving on the sidewalk, and not respecting pedestrian crossings. 

Four of every five pedestrians say that the stress they feel when walking around Barcelona has increased in the last five years.