John is nearly convinced

Inside Europe: Iberian Notes: "I have to admit that Barcelona's 'Bicing' scheme, despite its ridiculous pseudo-English name and my repeated predictions of total failure, is working out pretty well. They've got 130,000 people signed up, and you see people riding the bikes all over downtown. The service is currently being extended to my neighborhood, Gracia, and I guess I'm going to sign up, though I have a bike of my own. I'm still wondering how many inexperienced riders are going to get killed in Barcelona's hellacious traffic."

I guess you have to use it to really know how it changes the way you use and experience Barcelona.