Alongside development of roading, a big effort has been put into passenger transport in this city of1.6 million people. As well as a traditional underground railway, a modern tram system links the western and eastern sides of the city. This sits neatly alongside dual carrageways for cars and a wide network of bike paths and cycle lanes.       

Public bike hire provision called Bicing is a major success story. 400 bike stations each holding up to 30 bikes can be used by residents (not us tourists unfortunately) to make short and medium journeys.

Coupled with great cycle lane provision, there is high demand for Bicing bikes and their distinctive red and white frames can be seen all over the city. Users have a card which they hold up to a reader and then they simply take a bike off the stand. As in Auckland's Next Bike scheme, bikes are free for the first 30 minutes which ensures a fast turnover of bikes.