Avoid Fines – Little Known Traffic Rules Nº 2

This week´s ´episode´ is about bicycle riders.

Since the new Traffic Law came into force on May 9^th of this year, a helmet is obligatory for all children under 16, both within city limits as on inter-connecting roads and for adults on all roads outside city limits.

When you ride in the dark, through tunnels or in weather conditions that badly influence visibility, the bike must be equipped with front and tail lights, like any vehicle on the road, but it must have reflectors as well. One directed backwards is obligatory and recommended additional reflectors attached to the wheels and in the pedals. And the cyclist must wear light-reflecting clothing that will make him/her visible from a distance of 150 meter on a connecting road, outside city limits.

Place on the road for a cyclist is on the ´margin´, so to the right of the actual lane, outside of the white line. Only allowed within the white lines, on the actual lane, if the margin does not offer enough room, or when going downhill on a curvy road.
On autovía´s a cyclist is never allowed on the actual lane, only on the margin. Now I can hear you think that cyclists are not allowed to use the autovía anyway… well, in Spain they are, when over 14 years old, and riding on the margin. Unless there is a sign stating otherwise, for safety reasons, but if that is the case, an alternative bicycle route must be signposted there as well.

Maximum speed outside city limits: 45 km/hr, but higher speed is allowed when the circumstances on the road permit it.

To be continued….

Please note: The information provided is based upon our understanding of current legislation. It is not legal advice but is provided freely to enable you to be properly informed. We recommend that if you are considering taking action, you should seek professional advice.