The number of people affected by traffic noise pollution in Benidorm has dropped to a minimum: only 0.1% by 2025

The improvements implemented in Benidorm's mobility system in recent years have reduced the percentage of people affected by traffic noise in the city to negligible levels. This was made clear today during the Mobility Council meeting, where the city's noise map and the evolution of traffic noise pollution data from 2019 to 2025 were unveiled. This study aims to comprehensively assess noise exposure in a given area due to the presence of various noise sources, or to make global predictions for that area.

According to the updated noise map data presented today, the population affected by high noise levels—more than 65 decibels—during the day (from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.) is currently just 0.1%. According to the 2019 noise map, this figure was 4.7%. At night, from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., the figure is even better. While in 2019 the percentage of the population affected by high noise levels was 6.6%, the study shows that this year that percentage is 0%, i.e., nonexistent.

Antonio Hidalgo, a technician at CECOR, the company that created the map, the reasons for this evident improvement must be found in the measures implemented in recent years in the city. In this regard, the study cites the reduction in average speed from 50 km/h to 30 km/h on streets, the decrease in traffic and speed in pedestrian areas, the increase in bike lanes, the elimination of the AP-7 toll, and the establishment of consistent traffic patterns.

The Mayor of Benidorm, Toni Pérez, stated that "thanks to the measures we have taken over the last ten years, the city's traffic moves at a slower speed and, therefore, generates less noise." In fact, the company that created the noise map emphasised that "these are data we haven't found in any other city." In the mayor's opinion, "these are undoubtedly outstanding figures that show we are on the right path toward sustainable and citizen-friendly mobility."

Pérez added that behind these results, "there is a lot of quiet work being done, which reinforces the messages we convey and speaks highly of the city model and its quality of life."

On the other hand, the Mobility Council has also expressed its support for the implementation of more smart bicycle parking facilities in the municipality, an initiative that the City Council will carry out with a €544,239 grant from European funds for the "Benidorm Visión 360" program.

Initially, there were two options for investing the awarded grant. First, the reinstatement of the municipal bicycle rental service and second, smart parking facilities. Technical reports have determined that the rental service would, in any case, be highly unprofitable for the municipal coffers, compounded by the significant increase in the use of private bicycles. The mayor also clarified that focusing the rental service solely on residents "would not only be loss-making but would violate the rules for obtaining the subsidy, which state that it must be a tourist service, which in turn would put us in competition with private companies."

That is why the decision was made to create more smart parking, "which is yielding magnificent results because many people are using bicycles for mobility due to the safety offered by the city and this type of parking," the mayor stated. In fact, the City Council will soon request a modification of the project to allow for more bicycle parking of this type, which will be operational by June 2026.

Today's Mobility Council meeting also included an announcement of the agenda for European Mobility Week, which runs from September 16 to 22, as well as the improvements implemented to enhance road safety and mobility on Severo Ochoa Avenue. A study was also presented on low-cost measures that would improve road safety and mobility on the CV-753 highway, which connects Benidorm with Albir. Some general outlines of the progress of the Benidorm Electric Mobility Plan (MOVELE) and details of the Energy Office, a new free information service for individuals offering personalised advice on energy matters, were also discussed. Finally, information was provided on the operation of the LEZ (Electric Mobility Zone) in the city, "which is going reasonably well," according to municipal technicians.