Girona considers limiting bicycle shops amid cycling tourism boom

The City Council aims to regulate new licenses in the Old Quarter as the sector debates if growth has reached its limit.

Bicycles parked in a narrow street of an old town district.
IA

Bicycles parked in a narrow street of an old town district.

The Girona City Council has launched a proposal to limit new bicycle shop licenses in the Barri Vell district following an unprecedented surge in cycling tourism during 2025.

The debate has sparked friction within the local government. Guanyem Girona advocates for stricter controls to prevent the loss of traditional shops, while Junts warns against restricting a sector that attracts high-spending international visitors to Girona.

"The City Council has not yet realized it has the goose that lays the golden eggs."

Óscar Ceballos · CEO of Castelli Cycling
Local residents and sustainable mobility groups like Mou-te en Bici have raised concerns about housing affordability and the lack of basic repair services for everyday commuters, as new businesses focus solely on high-end sports equipment.