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On your bike: What you need to know before 'saddling up' in Spain
04/11/2021
DRIVERS on Spanish roads are now all aware – or should be – that they are required to leave a 1.5-metre distance when passing cyclists, and that this is expected to increase to two metres, but cyclists themselves may not be fully conversant on their own rights and duties when sharing tarmac with other wheels; or, indeed, feet.
If you live in Spain or spend a lot of time in the country, and you're seriously contemplating getting on your bike – it's quicker than walking, doesn't involve parking problems or fuel expenses, and is emissions-free, which the planet will thank you for – then you need to do some homework first about what's allowed and what's not.
Or, simply read on and take advantage of the fact that we've done some of that homework for you.
You're very welcome.
Stay off the phone – oh, and no headphones, either
The first of these may seem obvious – not using a mobile whilst riding – and, in any case, it's not easy to do as bikes tend to swerve and fall over if you let go of the handlebars or, if you use a hand-bike, it'll stop.
Just in case there are spiders in your family tree and you can comfortably spare two of your eight limbs to text your mates or watch baby kitten videos on YouTube whilst on the road, still don't – it means you're not watching what's in front of you and could cause an accident.
Also, it'll cost you €200 if you're caught and fined.
The latter may not seem quite so cut and dried – you might have suspected you could be hit with a €200 fine for taking a phone call using airPods and hands-free mode, but the 'no headphones' rule applies to music, too. And audio-books, and podcasts, or whatever else comes down the wires or the airwaves.
You may have grown up with a walkman in your coat pocket, attached to a dodgy metal Alice-band with spongy ear-bits that were always coming off, whilst biking around the streets of your youth. The reality is, though, that you cannot help but engage with what you're listening to, which means you'll miss 'sound signals' around you, and this could lead to accidents.
You might ask why this is considered a problem when, of course, a deaf cyclist would not be able to hear 'sound signals' either – but it's not so much about hearing as about focus, which includes what you see and how much you're concentrating on the road or path ahead of you.
Warn others if you're going to brake
In the interests of avoiding a pile-up, if there might be any cyclists, electric skateboard-users or runners behind you, make a hand-signal when you need to stop or slow down, and do the latter gradually if possible.
This is merely a recommendation by Spain's General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), not a requirement, since authorities are aware that it may not always be safe to take a hand off the handlebars or your concentration off the road; furthermore, it may not be safe to even take the time to warn anyone if you have to slam on the brakes to avoid someone or something in your path.
Where it's safe, though, and there's no emergency, it is strongly advised, in order to avert a bike-tangle and grazed knees.
Use cycle paths where you can
If these exist, use bike lanes at all times, as they are safer than roads. Again, the DGT says it is not a fineable offence to ride on a road when there's a cycle path available, but is, once more, strongly advised for safety reasons.
You are allowed to use your own judgment, however. If a cycle path is chock-full of Chris Froomes and Alejandro Valverdes whilst the road is completely empty, you might decide it is more comfortable and secure to move onto the latter, and there is no law stopping you doing so.
Only use these lanes if they are clearly marked, though – despite how many riders seem to do it, cycling on the pavement or in pedestrianised areas without signs explicitly permitting bikes is illegal, and you can be fined €100 if caught.
Plus, obviously, you're putting pedestrians at risk.
If you absolutely do have to use a main road, ride on the hard shoulder as long as it is safe to do so – another 'advisory' rather than 'mandatory' rule, which you would not be fined for breaking per se; rather, only if your non-use of the hard shoulder poses a risk to other people.
Cycling on motorways is not allowed and will, indeed, attract a fine.
Electric hoverboards or skateboards are banned from main highways of any type and can only be used on minor or back roads, or in towns.
For those into off-road riding, check for any 'no cycling' signs before embarking on a trail. Officially-protected nature reserves, and non-protected but otherwise highly locally-valued rural enclaves, may have specific prohibitions on wheeled transport so as not to cause erosion or disturb wildlife. If rugged tracks are your thing, it's a good idea to check with your local tourist information office (nearly every town has one) to see whether any of these are especially recommended or expressly off-limits.
Stick to orange juice
Drink-driving, defined as more than 0.25mg of alcohol per litre of breath during a test or 0.5g per litre of blood, and which involves fines of between €500 and €1,000, does not just apply to cars, vans, lorries and so forth. Cycling 'under the influence' attracts the same level of punishment, and the alcohol limits are identical.
You might think it can't be as dangerous to be 'a bit tipsy' on a bicycle in the same way as it would be behind the wheel of a family-sized mechanical metal box powered by flammable fuel and capable of speeds equating to those of a force-10 gale – or, at least, maybe you think it's only you who's at risk, and that's your choice. But remember you probably won't be riding at a consistent speed, or in a straight line, so even if you manage to stay on, you could easily weave in front of a car which swerves to avoid you and crashes; you could also cause considerable damage if you mow down a pedestrian, especially if they're elderly or a very small child, which is perfectly possible to do given that your reaction time and concentration levels will be impaired by the drink.
Even if it's their fault for walking out in front of you, could you live with yourself if, sober, you'd have been able to stop in time, but having had a drink, you didn't?
Clearly, in light of all this, you can also be hit with hefty fines for cycling after taking drugs, in the same way as a car-driver would be.
Check your household contents insurance policy
Home insurance policies that include your contents, not just your building, sometimes cover bicycles if they are non-motorised, but they may have to be 'specified' with a separate, stated value, or an automatic cover limit, and may attract a small additional premium.
Without a specific mention, cover may not be automatic.
If your policy does cover your bicycle, you will not only be protected against fire, general damage – accidents, vandalism, weather conditions, but not wear and tear or standard maintenance – and theft (usually subject to the bike's being locked or otherwise secured when not being ridden), but should also be covered for public liability.
Home contents insurance normally includes occupiers' liability cover, and buildings insurance provides property owners' liability, but public liability for damage or injury caused by you and your bike may not feature.
Speak to your home insurance company and ask about cover for the bicycle itself, and whether third-party liability (responsabilidad civil) is included, and under what circumstances it may not be.
Depending upon the response, you may have to seek an additional insurance policy for your bike and to cover you if you inadvertently injure someone or damage their property in the course of its use.
This is important, since injury claims can be enormous, especially where they involve private medical treatment and loss of earnings.
As an aside, don't forget that if you pay for insurance through your freehold community or comunidad de propietarios, this only covers damage to the outer structure of your home (roof, rendering, foundations) and to communal areas – you need a separate policy in your own name to protect the inner parts of your home, and your contents, a definition which, in Spain, encompasses kitchen and bathroom fixtures and fittings.
Carrying kids
You might have distant memories of riding in a kiddies' seat on the back of a parent's bicycle, and for some reason, probably never thought to question their level of control and balance or what would happen if they capsized it.
If you grew up in Spain, those memories would have stopped at age seven – that's the limit for taking children for a ride with you on your bike.
And you can only 'transport' a child if you're aged a minimum of 18 yourself, using a properly-fitted, approved infant 'pillion' seat.
The child must be wearing a helmet designed to fit small heads, even on local roads.
Electric skateboards or hoverboards cannot carry passengers – only the driver is allowed to ride them.
Fines start at €100 for breaking the rules and, if your child looks a lot older than he or she is, take proof of their age with you to avoid having to pay up if they're actually six but are tall enough to be taken for eight or nine.
Lighting up reflects safe cycling
This is not a reference to smoking. In fact, there's no specific law on cigarettes and cyclists – you would only face a fine if the act of having a fag or lighting it meant you were riding dangerously. That said, it's not sensible to smoke when participating in an activity that needs plenty of breath, and it's difficult to get a lighter flame to work with the wind resistance of a moving bike in any case.
But you must light up in the dark and dusk – make sure your bike lamps are all working properly and that you know how to switch them on, then do so at night or in semi-darkness, and at any time of day in tunnels, fog, heavy rain or other situations of poor visibility.
You've probably seen a shocking number of cyclists around your town not using lights, but common sense says that if a car-driver can't see you, the pair of you are likely to have a bit of a confrontation which you'll probably lose.
If you are seen, and it's a police officer who does the seeing, you'll go home €200 lighter than you set off.
For the same reasons, you should wear a reflective jacket or similar – by law, car-drivers must carry these at all times, with at least enough for themselves and every passenger to wear one, and they cost around €6 to €8 from your nearest Chinese bazaar or similar knick-knack shop.
Lights on their own may not always be immediately identifiable as a cyclist, but fluorescent clothing with reflective strips offer a much clearer clue to motorists as to what you are.
And yes, you will have seen a disturbingly-high number of people biking at night wearing dark clothes, but that doesn't mean it's legal – it just means they haven't been caught yet, or had a potentially life-threatening or life-limiting accident.
If any of them do get caught, the DGT says they will be ordered to pay an €80 fine.
Feet first
Pedestrians always have priority wherever cyclists are around them. When out on your bike, you must stop for zebra crossings and, when turning into a side-street, you need to wait until anyone crossing said street is safely back on the pavement. You must also slow right down or stop if anyone crosses a road in front of you, even if they shouldn't be.
In traffic-free areas, such as paved or cobbled squares or streets, if cyclists and hoverboards are permitted, clear signs will be in place to say so – if there aren't any or you can't see any, dismount and walk – and, where you are allowed to ride through a pedestrianised area, you need to keep your distance from those on foot, let them pass, and maintain a very low speed.
The same applies where a footpath or the entrance to or exit from a house, shop or other building cuts across a cycle lane – stop and let them out first; you should do this, in fact, whenever a walker steps onto a bike path, whether or not they have a specifically-marked crossing area to use.
But if a car exit crosses the bike path, the driver is required by law to stop for you.
Where there is no cycle lane and you are using a road or hard shoulder, cars are obliged to give you a wide berth, but you are obliged to give way to them unless they make it very clear that they are letting you through.
Cyclists and electric skateboard users are, additionally, expected to dismount and walk when using zebra crossings.
Breaches of any of the above attract set fines of €200.
In a roundabout way
As a cyclist, you have priority over motor vehicles on traffic islands – cars are required to give way to you.
Roundabout rules state that anyone already on the island gets priority over those about to enter it, but among those circumnavigating it, cyclists come first.
A peloton of cyclists – a large group out together, or a string of riders, such as those you see in the Tour de France, Vuelta a España (pictured below), Giro d'Italia and smaller versions – must always be treated by motor vehicle drivers as one single unit.
This means that if the lead rider has entered the roundabout, the remainder of the group, even if they have not, must be allowed to pass rather than being forced to break up – drivers should act as though all bikers in the peloton are sellotaped together.
On roads, cyclists can ride two abreast – drivers must, even then, allow the minimum 1.5-metre gap, and it is legal to cross an unbroken central white line to do so, but if overtaking is not safe, must wait until it is before pulling out.
More than two abreast is not allowed, except during official competitions (as shown above) or training sessions when security enforcement officers will typically be on duty and one or both lanes of the road will frequently be shut to cars.
Bikes must return to single file where visibility is poor, either due to light, weather conditions, blind bends or very narrow roads.
This technically means that, if there is, in fact, an unbroken white line down the centre, cyclists should not be in tandem at all and are expected to remain one behind the other, given that the mere presence of the solid line means visibility is reduced.
Riding in double file where it is not safe to do so, or riding more than two abreast, is subject to a per-head fine of €100.
Look and signal before pulling out or turning
When entering a road, exiting a slip-road, moving off from a pavement, leaving a hard shoulder for the main carriageway, or otherwise joining the traffic flow from the side, cyclists must do so very cautiously and not obstruct drivers.
They must give a hand signal to show they are merging into the road, clearly and with enough time for drivers to be able to see them and be aware of their intentions.
This also applies to cyclists turning off into a side-road, exiting a roundabout, or turning left or right at a junction – use a prominent and unmistakeable hand signal to show drivers which way you're going, and do so in plenty of time to allow them to act accordingly.
Pulling out in front of a car, or in any way that forces drivers to brake or swerve suddenly, or turning without signing – especially if you're turning left - is not only dangerous to all concerned but expensive: Fines start at €200.
Getting the green light
It ought to go without saying that cyclists are required to comply with all road markings, signs and signals, such as stop signs, stop lines, give-way markers, one-way street indications, and so on.
Tempting though it may be if there's 'nothing coming', never jump a red traffic light, and always stop for amber lights if you have time to do so safely.
Not waiting for the lights to go green can net you a fine of between €150 and €500, depending upon how much danger you potentially put yourself and other road-users in.
Cyclists are always right
Something else that may seem obvious, although you've almost certainly seen the odd errant cyclist riding right down the middle of the road and forcing cars behind to drop into first gear – but whenever you're on your bike, you must stick to the right-hand side of the road, just as you would in a car.
Always leave a gap between you and the kerb, just in case a pedestrian trips or a dog on a lead wanders off the edge of the pavement, and give parked cars plenty of space – if someone's inside and they're not watching what they're doing, they might open a door just as you're passing, or even pull out as you're overtaking them. The fact it's their fault rather than yours doesn't make the result any less painful.
What are the rules on cycle helmets, again?
Protective headgear has often been such a grey area that it has even put some people, especially expats and tourists, off taking up cycling altogether in case they get it wrong. This is particularly true for anyone whose last cycling experiences in their home country were during their childhood, teens, or more than a decade ago, and who would no sooner have thought to put a helmet on than they would have worn jodhpurs or fitted a bridle to their bikes.
Luckily, we're here to clear up the mystery for you – although you should always be aware that the law may change and, if it does, it will necessarily become more stringent rather than more lenient.
All cyclists – as well as electric skateboard or hoverboard users, moped-riders, scooter-riders, or anyone on an electrically-powered bicycle – must wear a helmet at all times if they are aged 16 or under.
Parents or legal guardians face fines of at least €200 if their children are caught without one.
In some municipalities in Spain, anyone whose work involves the use of a bicycle or hoverboard – such as those who make lightweight deliveries, or take out tour groups – are required to wear protective headgear on town roads whatever their age, through specific local bye-laws or regional government laws; if this is you, check with your workplace, town hall, or both.
Otherwise, adult cyclists are not currently obliged to wear helmets when biking around town.
Cyclists and users of any of these other types of vehicle, where they are permitted on main roads – remember, electric hoverboard users are not – must wear a helmet whenever riding on these highways, adults included.
Motorbike, scooter and moped riders have to wear proper helmets everywhere, independently of their age.
When taking a bicycle out on country lanes, on dedicated cycle paths, or off-road tracks, helmets are not legally required, but are strongly advisable; the latter more so, as cross-country bike trails are typically rugged and uneven, making falls more likely, and tend to involve rocks.
Many a cyclist who has been in the thick of a major road crash that left them injured has said they owe their life to their helmet – so, if in doubt, and given that they are not expensive compared with the cost of buying an actual bike, wear one everywhere anyway.
But make sure yours is properly fastened and buy one that fits you correctly, since a poorly-adjusted or loose one is almost as risky as not wearing one at all.
If ever you suffer a fall and land on your head, discard your helmet and buy a new one unless you are absolutely certain there is no damage to it that may be difficult to spot.
Cyclists on main highways without helmets, of any age, face a set fine of €200 if caught.
Generally, cyclists aged 14 and under are not permitted on major highways at all.
Wait – but what about Sikhs?
Despite being the fifth-largest organised religion on earth – with over 30 million followers – the presence of Sikhs in Spain is not, statistically, high in terms of percentage of the population, but an estimated 20,000 have made their home in the country, and one of the largest Sikh communities, in the Girona-province town of Olot, numbers upwards of 1,700.
Back in December 2013, Sikh residents in Olot filed a petition with the town hall as the first step in a campaign for exemption from wearing motorbike or cycle helmets.
A symbol of the community's identity for more than 300 years, the turban worn by Sikhs also serves a practical purpose – that of containing their long hair, which they pledge never to cut from the moment they are baptised, along with committing to never smoking or drinking alcohol.
It's not just that tucking a lifetime's worth of hair growth into a bicycle or motorbike helmet would be nearly impossible; to be seen without his turban would be, to a Sikh, like being seen naked in public.
Sikh women are not obliged to wear turbans; some do, and some wear headscarves instead, although most do not cover their hair except on specific occasions where this is deemed correct culturally, such as at religious ceremonies.
Campaigners in Olot pointed out that in India, the UK, Canada and a handful of other EU countries – typically areas where the community is much larger and runs into hundreds of thousands, or millions – Sikhs are permitted to not wear helmets if they cannot get these on over their turbans, and wanted Spain to follow suit.
Sikhs have been explaining for decades now that as their turbans can be up to six or seven metres long when unrolled, and regularly weigh at least a kilo once in place, the level of padding is plenty enough to absorb the impact of falling on their heads even from a motorbike travelling at speed, so a helmet would not necessarily provide them with any additional protection from injury.
The outcome of the campaign does not appear to have been successful; Spain's traffic authorities were adamant at the time that helmets were 'a vital safety feature' that all motorcyclists, and all bicycle-riders aged 16 and under, plus cyclists of any age on main roads, must wear by law.
To date, this does not seem to have changed. European Union and, by default, Spanish law requires that all citizens and residents be free to practise their chosen religion without hindrance or discrimination – it would not, for example, be legal to fire an employee for refusing to take off a hijab or a cross pendant – meaning if a Sikh riding a bike on a highway or a motorcycle anywhere without a hard-hat was caught and fined, he probably stands a good chance of succeeding if he appeals.
Were this to happen anywhere in Spain, it would automatically reopen the debate and, depending upon how many of the country's 20,000 Sikhs, more specifically the men among them, ride motorbikes or bicycles, the issue is almost certainly not dead yet and is likely to crop up again.
If you are in this situation, living in Spain and thinking of taking up motorbiking or cycling, your best bet would be to try to make contacts with Sikh communities to compare notes and find out what action, if any, is currently being taken.
Related Topics
DRIVERS on Spanish roads are now all aware – or should be – that they are required to leave a 1.5-metre distance when passing cyclists, and that this is expected to increase to two metres, but cyclists themselves may not be fully conversant on their own rights and duties when sharing tarmac with other wheels; or, indeed, feet.
If you live in Spain or spend a lot of time in the country, and you're seriously contemplating getting on your bike – it's quicker than walking, doesn't involve parking problems or fuel expenses, and is emissions-free, which the planet will thank you for – then you need to do some homework first about what's allowed and what's not.
Or, simply read on and take advantage of the fact that we've done some of that homework for you.
You're very welcome.
Stay off the phone – oh, and no headphones, either
The first of these may seem obvious – not using a mobile whilst riding – and, in any case, it's not easy to do as bikes tend to swerve and fall over if you let go of the handlebars or, if you use a hand-bike, it'll stop.
Just in case there are spiders in your family tree and you can comfortably spare two of your eight limbs to text your mates or watch baby kitten videos on YouTube whilst on the road, still don't – it means you're not watching what's in front of you and could cause an accident.
Also, it'll cost you €200 if you're caught and fined.
The latter may not seem quite so cut and dried – you might have suspected you could be hit with a €200 fine for taking a phone call using airPods and hands-free mode, but the 'no headphones' rule applies to music, too. And audio-books, and podcasts, or whatever else comes down the wires or the airwaves.
You may have grown up with a walkman in your coat pocket, attached to a dodgy metal Alice-band with spongy ear-bits that were always coming off, whilst biking around the streets of your youth. The reality is, though, that you cannot help but engage with what you're listening to, which means you'll miss 'sound signals' around you, and this could lead to accidents.
You might ask why this is considered a problem when, of course, a deaf cyclist would not be able to hear 'sound signals' either – but it's not so much about hearing as about focus, which includes what you see and how much you're concentrating on the road or path ahead of you.
Warn others if you're going to brake
In the interests of avoiding a pile-up, if there might be any cyclists, electric skateboard-users or runners behind you, make a hand-signal when you need to stop or slow down, and do the latter gradually if possible.
This is merely a recommendation by Spain's General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), not a requirement, since authorities are aware that it may not always be safe to take a hand off the handlebars or your concentration off the road; furthermore, it may not be safe to even take the time to warn anyone if you have to slam on the brakes to avoid someone or something in your path.
Where it's safe, though, and there's no emergency, it is strongly advised, in order to avert a bike-tangle and grazed knees.
Use cycle paths where you can
If these exist, use bike lanes at all times, as they are safer than roads. Again, the DGT says it is not a fineable offence to ride on a road when there's a cycle path available, but is, once more, strongly advised for safety reasons.
You are allowed to use your own judgment, however. If a cycle path is chock-full of Chris Froomes and Alejandro Valverdes whilst the road is completely empty, you might decide it is more comfortable and secure to move onto the latter, and there is no law stopping you doing so.
Only use these lanes if they are clearly marked, though – despite how many riders seem to do it, cycling on the pavement or in pedestrianised areas without signs explicitly permitting bikes is illegal, and you can be fined €100 if caught.
Plus, obviously, you're putting pedestrians at risk.
If you absolutely do have to use a main road, ride on the hard shoulder as long as it is safe to do so – another 'advisory' rather than 'mandatory' rule, which you would not be fined for breaking per se; rather, only if your non-use of the hard shoulder poses a risk to other people.
Cycling on motorways is not allowed and will, indeed, attract a fine.
Electric hoverboards or skateboards are banned from main highways of any type and can only be used on minor or back roads, or in towns.
For those into off-road riding, check for any 'no cycling' signs before embarking on a trail. Officially-protected nature reserves, and non-protected but otherwise highly locally-valued rural enclaves, may have specific prohibitions on wheeled transport so as not to cause erosion or disturb wildlife. If rugged tracks are your thing, it's a good idea to check with your local tourist information office (nearly every town has one) to see whether any of these are especially recommended or expressly off-limits.
Stick to orange juice
Drink-driving, defined as more than 0.25mg of alcohol per litre of breath during a test or 0.5g per litre of blood, and which involves fines of between €500 and €1,000, does not just apply to cars, vans, lorries and so forth. Cycling 'under the influence' attracts the same level of punishment, and the alcohol limits are identical.
You might think it can't be as dangerous to be 'a bit tipsy' on a bicycle in the same way as it would be behind the wheel of a family-sized mechanical metal box powered by flammable fuel and capable of speeds equating to those of a force-10 gale – or, at least, maybe you think it's only you who's at risk, and that's your choice. But remember you probably won't be riding at a consistent speed, or in a straight line, so even if you manage to stay on, you could easily weave in front of a car which swerves to avoid you and crashes; you could also cause considerable damage if you mow down a pedestrian, especially if they're elderly or a very small child, which is perfectly possible to do given that your reaction time and concentration levels will be impaired by the drink.
Even if it's their fault for walking out in front of you, could you live with yourself if, sober, you'd have been able to stop in time, but having had a drink, you didn't?
Clearly, in light of all this, you can also be hit with hefty fines for cycling after taking drugs, in the same way as a car-driver would be.
Check your household contents insurance policy
Home insurance policies that include your contents, not just your building, sometimes cover bicycles if they are non-motorised, but they may have to be 'specified' with a separate, stated value, or an automatic cover limit, and may attract a small additional premium.
Without a specific mention, cover may not be automatic.
If your policy does cover your bicycle, you will not only be protected against fire, general damage – accidents, vandalism, weather conditions, but not wear and tear or standard maintenance – and theft (usually subject to the bike's being locked or otherwise secured when not being ridden), but should also be covered for public liability.
Home contents insurance normally includes occupiers' liability cover, and buildings insurance provides property owners' liability, but public liability for damage or injury caused by you and your bike may not feature.
Speak to your home insurance company and ask about cover for the bicycle itself, and whether third-party liability (responsabilidad civil) is included, and under what circumstances it may not be.
Depending upon the response, you may have to seek an additional insurance policy for your bike and to cover you if you inadvertently injure someone or damage their property in the course of its use.
This is important, since injury claims can be enormous, especially where they involve private medical treatment and loss of earnings.
As an aside, don't forget that if you pay for insurance through your freehold community or comunidad de propietarios, this only covers damage to the outer structure of your home (roof, rendering, foundations) and to communal areas – you need a separate policy in your own name to protect the inner parts of your home, and your contents, a definition which, in Spain, encompasses kitchen and bathroom fixtures and fittings.
Carrying kids
You might have distant memories of riding in a kiddies' seat on the back of a parent's bicycle, and for some reason, probably never thought to question their level of control and balance or what would happen if they capsized it.
If you grew up in Spain, those memories would have stopped at age seven – that's the limit for taking children for a ride with you on your bike.
And you can only 'transport' a child if you're aged a minimum of 18 yourself, using a properly-fitted, approved infant 'pillion' seat.
The child must be wearing a helmet designed to fit small heads, even on local roads.
Electric skateboards or hoverboards cannot carry passengers – only the driver is allowed to ride them.
Fines start at €100 for breaking the rules and, if your child looks a lot older than he or she is, take proof of their age with you to avoid having to pay up if they're actually six but are tall enough to be taken for eight or nine.
Lighting up reflects safe cycling
This is not a reference to smoking. In fact, there's no specific law on cigarettes and cyclists – you would only face a fine if the act of having a fag or lighting it meant you were riding dangerously. That said, it's not sensible to smoke when participating in an activity that needs plenty of breath, and it's difficult to get a lighter flame to work with the wind resistance of a moving bike in any case.
But you must light up in the dark and dusk – make sure your bike lamps are all working properly and that you know how to switch them on, then do so at night or in semi-darkness, and at any time of day in tunnels, fog, heavy rain or other situations of poor visibility.
You've probably seen a shocking number of cyclists around your town not using lights, but common sense says that if a car-driver can't see you, the pair of you are likely to have a bit of a confrontation which you'll probably lose.
If you are seen, and it's a police officer who does the seeing, you'll go home €200 lighter than you set off.
For the same reasons, you should wear a reflective jacket or similar – by law, car-drivers must carry these at all times, with at least enough for themselves and every passenger to wear one, and they cost around €6 to €8 from your nearest Chinese bazaar or similar knick-knack shop.
Lights on their own may not always be immediately identifiable as a cyclist, but fluorescent clothing with reflective strips offer a much clearer clue to motorists as to what you are.
And yes, you will have seen a disturbingly-high number of people biking at night wearing dark clothes, but that doesn't mean it's legal – it just means they haven't been caught yet, or had a potentially life-threatening or life-limiting accident.
If any of them do get caught, the DGT says they will be ordered to pay an €80 fine.
Feet first
Pedestrians always have priority wherever cyclists are around them. When out on your bike, you must stop for zebra crossings and, when turning into a side-street, you need to wait until anyone crossing said street is safely back on the pavement. You must also slow right down or stop if anyone crosses a road in front of you, even if they shouldn't be.
In traffic-free areas, such as paved or cobbled squares or streets, if cyclists and hoverboards are permitted, clear signs will be in place to say so – if there aren't any or you can't see any, dismount and walk – and, where you are allowed to ride through a pedestrianised area, you need to keep your distance from those on foot, let them pass, and maintain a very low speed.
The same applies where a footpath or the entrance to or exit from a house, shop or other building cuts across a cycle lane – stop and let them out first; you should do this, in fact, whenever a walker steps onto a bike path, whether or not they have a specifically-marked crossing area to use.
But if a car exit crosses the bike path, the driver is required by law to stop for you.
Where there is no cycle lane and you are using a road or hard shoulder, cars are obliged to give you a wide berth, but you are obliged to give way to them unless they make it very clear that they are letting you through.
Cyclists and electric skateboard users are, additionally, expected to dismount and walk when using zebra crossings.
Breaches of any of the above attract set fines of €200.
In a roundabout way
As a cyclist, you have priority over motor vehicles on traffic islands – cars are required to give way to you.
Roundabout rules state that anyone already on the island gets priority over those about to enter it, but among those circumnavigating it, cyclists come first.
A peloton of cyclists – a large group out together, or a string of riders, such as those you see in the Tour de France, Vuelta a España (pictured below), Giro d'Italia and smaller versions – must always be treated by motor vehicle drivers as one single unit.
This means that if the lead rider has entered the roundabout, the remainder of the group, even if they have not, must be allowed to pass rather than being forced to break up – drivers should act as though all bikers in the peloton are sellotaped together.
On roads, cyclists can ride two abreast – drivers must, even then, allow the minimum 1.5-metre gap, and it is legal to cross an unbroken central white line to do so, but if overtaking is not safe, must wait until it is before pulling out.
More than two abreast is not allowed, except during official competitions (as shown above) or training sessions when security enforcement officers will typically be on duty and one or both lanes of the road will frequently be shut to cars.
Bikes must return to single file where visibility is poor, either due to light, weather conditions, blind bends or very narrow roads.
This technically means that, if there is, in fact, an unbroken white line down the centre, cyclists should not be in tandem at all and are expected to remain one behind the other, given that the mere presence of the solid line means visibility is reduced.
Riding in double file where it is not safe to do so, or riding more than two abreast, is subject to a per-head fine of €100.
Look and signal before pulling out or turning
When entering a road, exiting a slip-road, moving off from a pavement, leaving a hard shoulder for the main carriageway, or otherwise joining the traffic flow from the side, cyclists must do so very cautiously and not obstruct drivers.
They must give a hand signal to show they are merging into the road, clearly and with enough time for drivers to be able to see them and be aware of their intentions.
This also applies to cyclists turning off into a side-road, exiting a roundabout, or turning left or right at a junction – use a prominent and unmistakeable hand signal to show drivers which way you're going, and do so in plenty of time to allow them to act accordingly.
Pulling out in front of a car, or in any way that forces drivers to brake or swerve suddenly, or turning without signing – especially if you're turning left - is not only dangerous to all concerned but expensive: Fines start at €200.
Getting the green light
It ought to go without saying that cyclists are required to comply with all road markings, signs and signals, such as stop signs, stop lines, give-way markers, one-way street indications, and so on.
Tempting though it may be if there's 'nothing coming', never jump a red traffic light, and always stop for amber lights if you have time to do so safely.
Not waiting for the lights to go green can net you a fine of between €150 and €500, depending upon how much danger you potentially put yourself and other road-users in.
Cyclists are always right
Something else that may seem obvious, although you've almost certainly seen the odd errant cyclist riding right down the middle of the road and forcing cars behind to drop into first gear – but whenever you're on your bike, you must stick to the right-hand side of the road, just as you would in a car.
Always leave a gap between you and the kerb, just in case a pedestrian trips or a dog on a lead wanders off the edge of the pavement, and give parked cars plenty of space – if someone's inside and they're not watching what they're doing, they might open a door just as you're passing, or even pull out as you're overtaking them. The fact it's their fault rather than yours doesn't make the result any less painful.
What are the rules on cycle helmets, again?
Protective headgear has often been such a grey area that it has even put some people, especially expats and tourists, off taking up cycling altogether in case they get it wrong. This is particularly true for anyone whose last cycling experiences in their home country were during their childhood, teens, or more than a decade ago, and who would no sooner have thought to put a helmet on than they would have worn jodhpurs or fitted a bridle to their bikes.
Luckily, we're here to clear up the mystery for you – although you should always be aware that the law may change and, if it does, it will necessarily become more stringent rather than more lenient.
All cyclists – as well as electric skateboard or hoverboard users, moped-riders, scooter-riders, or anyone on an electrically-powered bicycle – must wear a helmet at all times if they are aged 16 or under.
Parents or legal guardians face fines of at least €200 if their children are caught without one.
In some municipalities in Spain, anyone whose work involves the use of a bicycle or hoverboard – such as those who make lightweight deliveries, or take out tour groups – are required to wear protective headgear on town roads whatever their age, through specific local bye-laws or regional government laws; if this is you, check with your workplace, town hall, or both.
Otherwise, adult cyclists are not currently obliged to wear helmets when biking around town.
Cyclists and users of any of these other types of vehicle, where they are permitted on main roads – remember, electric hoverboard users are not – must wear a helmet whenever riding on these highways, adults included.
Motorbike, scooter and moped riders have to wear proper helmets everywhere, independently of their age.
When taking a bicycle out on country lanes, on dedicated cycle paths, or off-road tracks, helmets are not legally required, but are strongly advisable; the latter more so, as cross-country bike trails are typically rugged and uneven, making falls more likely, and tend to involve rocks.
Many a cyclist who has been in the thick of a major road crash that left them injured has said they owe their life to their helmet – so, if in doubt, and given that they are not expensive compared with the cost of buying an actual bike, wear one everywhere anyway.
But make sure yours is properly fastened and buy one that fits you correctly, since a poorly-adjusted or loose one is almost as risky as not wearing one at all.
If ever you suffer a fall and land on your head, discard your helmet and buy a new one unless you are absolutely certain there is no damage to it that may be difficult to spot.
Cyclists on main highways without helmets, of any age, face a set fine of €200 if caught.
Generally, cyclists aged 14 and under are not permitted on major highways at all.
Wait – but what about Sikhs?
Despite being the fifth-largest organised religion on earth – with over 30 million followers – the presence of Sikhs in Spain is not, statistically, high in terms of percentage of the population, but an estimated 20,000 have made their home in the country, and one of the largest Sikh communities, in the Girona-province town of Olot, numbers upwards of 1,700.
Back in December 2013, Sikh residents in Olot filed a petition with the town hall as the first step in a campaign for exemption from wearing motorbike or cycle helmets.
A symbol of the community's identity for more than 300 years, the turban worn by Sikhs also serves a practical purpose – that of containing their long hair, which they pledge never to cut from the moment they are baptised, along with committing to never smoking or drinking alcohol.
It's not just that tucking a lifetime's worth of hair growth into a bicycle or motorbike helmet would be nearly impossible; to be seen without his turban would be, to a Sikh, like being seen naked in public.
Sikh women are not obliged to wear turbans; some do, and some wear headscarves instead, although most do not cover their hair except on specific occasions where this is deemed correct culturally, such as at religious ceremonies.
Campaigners in Olot pointed out that in India, the UK, Canada and a handful of other EU countries – typically areas where the community is much larger and runs into hundreds of thousands, or millions – Sikhs are permitted to not wear helmets if they cannot get these on over their turbans, and wanted Spain to follow suit.
Sikhs have been explaining for decades now that as their turbans can be up to six or seven metres long when unrolled, and regularly weigh at least a kilo once in place, the level of padding is plenty enough to absorb the impact of falling on their heads even from a motorbike travelling at speed, so a helmet would not necessarily provide them with any additional protection from injury.
The outcome of the campaign does not appear to have been successful; Spain's traffic authorities were adamant at the time that helmets were 'a vital safety feature' that all motorcyclists, and all bicycle-riders aged 16 and under, plus cyclists of any age on main roads, must wear by law.
To date, this does not seem to have changed. European Union and, by default, Spanish law requires that all citizens and residents be free to practise their chosen religion without hindrance or discrimination – it would not, for example, be legal to fire an employee for refusing to take off a hijab or a cross pendant – meaning if a Sikh riding a bike on a highway or a motorcycle anywhere without a hard-hat was caught and fined, he probably stands a good chance of succeeding if he appeals.
Were this to happen anywhere in Spain, it would automatically reopen the debate and, depending upon how many of the country's 20,000 Sikhs, more specifically the men among them, ride motorbikes or bicycles, the issue is almost certainly not dead yet and is likely to crop up again.
If you are in this situation, living in Spain and thinking of taking up motorbiking or cycling, your best bet would be to try to make contacts with Sikh communities to compare notes and find out what action, if any, is currently being taken.
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