Let’s Make Our Major Streets Like Barcelona’s Gran Vía

If we want to encourage people to drive less, we need to design our streets to prioritize non-drivers. Barcelona’s Gran Vía in l’eixample district is a great example of that.

Every day walking from my apartment in Barcelona to the gym, I crossed one of the major streets La Gran Vía de Les Corts Catalanes.

Seeing Barcelona through my urbanist lens, I thought, “this is exactly what major streets in cities should look like.” It was not only easy to cross, but a delight in the wide pedestrian-only part. It had protected bike lanes, bus/taxi only lanes, and frequent pedestrian crossings.

If this street were in Los Angeles, I have no doubt that it would be four lanes of general car traffic going each direction. As a pedestrian, you’d have to press a button and wait five minutes before crossing, and cars would not be patient or appreciate your presence.

Here’s a quick tour of what it’s like crossing Gran Vía.

#1: Bus/Taxi Only Lane Plus Protected Bike Lane

First, as a pedestrian, I cross a bus/taxi only lane. Next to this lane, there’s a protected bike line. Public transit and those choosing a cleaner transportation option (biking) get a less busy, safer, separate lane.

Because this lane is never filled with traffic, you can often cross even the crosswalk light is red.

#2: Wide, Pedestrian-Only Lane

Then, there’s a pedestrian island about the the width of two car lanes. It’s stress-free to walk across, and even quiet nice. It’s the exact opposite experience of crossing a major street in U.S. cities.

#3: One-Way General Traffic

Next is the part where you have to wait for the light, where there are three lanes for cars. It’s a one way street. To go the other way, cars have to up to one of the other nearby main streets like Arago.

#4: Another Pedestrian, Bike, and Bus/Taxi Lane

Then it repeats itself, with another wide pedestrian and a bus/taxi and bike lane going the other direction.

As a pedestrian, I rarely need to wait more than a few seconds to move. I don’t fear for my life like crossing major streets in U.S. cities, I’m waiting less because it’s broken up into three crossings, and I have lanes dedicated for me to enjoy walking.

This is how you construct an intermodal, major street that gives citizens options to drive, take transit, bike, or walk.

Gran Vía is not unique, either. Every major street I’ve walked on in Barcelona has a similar construction.

Here’s a picture I took walking down Passeig de Sant Joan, just a few blocks away. Pedestrians are first, as they should be in cities.

Let’s start turning our major streets into this. In doing so, it gives people more options and incentives to use car-free modes of transit. This is a win for people’s health, their wallets, and the planet.

More on Urbanism

How I Live Without a Car in The U.S. (And Why I’ll Never Own a Car Again)

26 Hidden Costs of Cars: How Car-Dependency Hurts Your Wallet, Your Health, And The Planet

Good and Boring Bike Share Names

Bonus: I’m a Digital Nomad in Barcelona. Here’s Everything You Should Know