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Date Published: 07/07/2026

Six Alicante towns earn national cycling seal as La Vuelta recognises Spain's most bike-friendly municipalities

Torrevieja and Benidorm are among the province's honoured towns, putting Alicante top of the rankings for cycling commitment in 2026

The province of Alicante has quietly become one of Spain's most recognised region for cycling, with six of its municipalities picking up the prestigious "Más Bici" seal from La Vuelta in this year's awards. Torrevieja, Benidorm, Calpe, Castalla, Orihuela and Villena all feature in the 2026 list of 18 Spanish towns and cities honoured for their commitment to making cycling part of everyday life.

The "Más Bici," or More Bikes, seal forms part of La Vuelta's broader "La Vuelta es Más" social commitment programme, launched in 2025 to encourage municipalities to integrate cycling into daily life, from urban mobility and infrastructure through to sports provision and cycle tourism.

Candidates are assessed by a panel of experts from the Red de Ciudades y Territorios por la Bicicleta and the international consultancy Copenhagenize, covering five areas: governance, infrastructure, services and education, sport and tourism.

Benidorm's recognition drew particular attention, with assessors noting that the city demonstrates what they called "a solid and cross-cutting strategy that balances daily mobility, sport and its consolidation as an international cycle tourism destination." The town's 130-kilometre cycling network and its smart long-stay parking management system, linked to its Low Emissions Zone, were specifically highlighted.

Javier Jordá, Benidorm's councillor for sport, said the award "confirms our ongoing commitment to promoting cycling as a means of transport and a way of life," adding that the recognition puts into context the effort invested in building those 130 kilometres of cycle lanes across the municipality.

For Torrevieja, the seal reflects work across cycling infrastructure, sports programmes, education and cycle tourism, all of which formed part of its candidacy. The Ayuntamiento sees it as validation of a broader push towards a healthier and more environmentally sustainable city, with cycling positioned both as a practical daily option and as a draw for visitors.

The 2026 edition brings the total number of municipalities in the national "Más Bici" network to 23, following the five cities that received the inaugural seal last year: Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, Valladolid and Zaragoza. The new additions span a wide range of sizes and profiles, from major urban centres to small villages, reflecting La Vuelta's aim to leave a lasting legacy that reaches well beyond the race route itself.

For a province that already draws cyclists from across Europe thanks to its climate and terrain, the recognition feels well earned, and the six awards in a single year suggest Alicante's towns are taking the agenda seriously rather than just paying lip service to it.

Images: Ana Hidalgo Burgos and Aleksandr Sochnev/Pexels

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