Rules of the road - Page 2

Point well made, John, and I agree with everything you say. As a former keen cyclist, I'm disgusted at the 'standard' of cycling these days.

If I ruled the world (like Harry Secombe) I'd employ a new team of traffic police dedicated to enforcing the law for all road users. The revenue generated in fines would far more than cover the costs involved, and at the same time the offenders would be painfully encouraged to keep to the laws. 

As a keen cyclist, I too get dismayed more than most when I see a cyclist sailing through a red light, or engaged in other similar anti social activities.

Its swings and roundabouts though, as I've had cars overtake on the wrong side of the road at 60-80 mph forcing me very close to the gutter. Generally, I have found in Spain most drivers give you at least a 1.5 metres gap when overtaking. It's nice to see some 1.5 metre gap signs up on the San Miguel to Rebate road, to remind drivers.

There are bad cyclists and bad drivers, which are fortunately outweighed by good cyclists and good drivers in my experience. Unfortunately its the bad ones we tend to remember.

TheRower,

I agree with your comments. Previously in this thread my posts concentrated on the "bad" cyclists on the roads but the shocking driving by many drivers never ceases to amaze and disgust me. Given that drivers of cars and vans are to some degree protected in their metal bubble many give no consideration to the vulnerability of cyclists and pedestrians that they encounter. Many situations can develop, for example when a driver is not familiar with the road they are on, but I have seen some drivers drive with such aggression towards other motorists and cyclists that they are criminally dangerous.

All it takes is for us all to show mutual respect and to drive with appropriate care and attention.

Dear all,

We have gone off my original question which was: Do you have to wear a helmet whilst cycling in Spain .

If we could just answer this question and leave it at that, it would be much appreciated.

I seem to getting emails of your conversations between yourselves.

Best regards and intentions 

Andy

CÓDIGO DE TRÁFICO Y SEGURIDAD VIAL

§ 3 Reglamento General de Circulación

Los conductores de bicicletas y, en su caso, los ocupantes estarán obligados a utilizar cascos de protección homologados o certificados según la legislación vigente, cuando circulen en vías interurbanas, salvo en rampas ascendentes prolongadas, o por razones médicas que se acreditarán conforme establece el artículo 119.3, o en condiciones extremas de calor.

Thanks Jim, I think that pretty well covers it.

John.

Hi Andy, I have lived in Spain for several years and my advice when on a bicycle or in a car is to make yourself as conspicuous as possible. In a car use headlights in all car parks and bad light, on a cycle have lights on at dusk. The roads here are pretty dangerous, even when they are empty, especially for cyclists. Ruts, bumps and holes, roots from trees and stupid people. The good thing is car divers are nearly always held responsible for accidents with bikes so drivers tend to treat 2wheels with respect but like everything else, there is always drunks and Mr Bigs. My advise is to keep off the main roads unless in a group or with a club. A club would be handy but I mean a "cycling club" of which there are many. STAY SAFE and take the earphones out of your ears when on the road. You need all your senses functioning and nerves of steel. Make yourself BIG AND BRIGHT and don't take liberties with other road users, they tend to get ticked off at having to navigate around the same bike several times as traffic slows and then picks up again. On the main road 2wheels can use the hard shoulder but it's dangerous passing slip roads. My best advise is that it is your body so beware of everything that can harm you and remember EVERYTHING is bigger than you. Have fun 

I's also recommend that you use flashing LED lights front and back in daytime. If you get ones with Cree LEDs, there's no way anyone could miss seeing you.

It still surprises me how many cyclists continue to wear dark clothing, my strongest advice is to wear bright high visibility colours day and night, backed up with using quality flashing LED lights.

I know this post isn't new, but I came across the following on the N332 website. I'm posting it verbatim, without any comment but that there's theory and there's practice!

Cyclists have priority of passage with respect to motor vehicles, when, circulating in a group, the first has already started crossing or entering a roundabout. That is to say, when cyclists are riding in groups, they are considered as a single mobile unit of transit.

However, cyclists too have to comply with a series of obligations when using the public roads. Cyclists are permitted to ride in a parallel column, of a maximum of two side by side, but always as far to the right as possible on the road, and in single file in areas of reduced visibility. Likewise, cyclists are obliged to use the hard shoulder, where present, and if no specific lanes or hard shoulder is available, or blocked in part or in full, then they can use the road.

Surprisingly for many, cyclists are permitted on certain motorways, although they can only travel along the hard shoulder, and must be over 14 years of age, and not on a route where cycling is prohibited by the presence of corresponding signs.

Helmet use is compulsory on long-distance routes for all bicycle users. On urban roads its use is mandatory for children under 16 years of age, whether they are riding the bike or as a passenger. For those over 16, it is not mandatory, although it is highly recommended.

It is mandatory for cyclists, both on the road and in urban areas, the use of front and rear reflective light on the bicycle, as well as the use of a reflective garment when driving at night and in poor visibility. A bell is also a mandatory requirement.

Cyclists, like other drivers of other vehicles, are required to undergo alcohol and drug tests if suspected of having consumed either, and when they are required to undergo preventive controls, are involved in a traffic incident or have committed a violation. In these cases, only the administrative penalty is applied, not the deduction of points since they are linked to the driving licence.

Cyclists, like all road users, must comply with the rest of rules established in traffic legislation and road safety. This means such obvious points as stopping at red lights, stopping at stop signs (and putting one foot on the ground), not riding down one-way streets the wrong way, not riding over pedestrian crossings or pavements, in fact, adhering to the rules of the road as all other vehicles and drivers must do.

All road users command respect, but that respect should work for all vehicle operators whatever the vehicle they are driving, from an articulated lorry, to a two-wheeled bicycle, and everything in between.

It is important to remember that roads are shared spaces, where vehicles of different sizes and characteristics must operate together, providing a free flow for all, in the safest possible manner.

There have been a number of catastrophic incidents involving cyclists recently, and whereas no blame or responsibility is being placed on any party involved in those incidents, these have led to an increase in calls for “respect" on the road for cyclists. Of course, this is a very important notion to practice, but also a notion which works both ways. Cyclists, and motorcyclists, car, truck, bus drivers, all road users must practice respect for others in theses shared spaces.

Vehicles must allow at least 1.5 metres clearance in order to overtake a cyclist, and are permitted to cross the solid white line to do so, so long as no vehicles are coming towards them, and it is safe to do so, the only exception to the solid white line rule.

As we have said, cyclists are allowed to ride two-abreast on the road, so long as they don't impede the flow of traffic behind them, in which case they must move back into single file. Cyclists must keep to the right, as far right as is safe to do so (like all vehicles incidentally), BUT AT certain times, cyclists can use more of the lane in order to negotiate certain hazards, again, so long as it is safe to do so.

We wouldn't expect to see two or more cars driving side by side on a single carriageway road, perhaps with their drivers distracted enough to be holding a conversation with each other, the very thought of it would spread fear and dread into many road users, nor is it acceptable for cyclists to take up more of the road than is necessary, and for them to be distracted is of the utmost risk.

With all this said, many road users still complain about cyclists and their lack of respect for the law, going through red lights, rising on the pavement, riding across pedestrian crossings, and complain that the Guardia Civil and police do nothing about it. The reality is that traffic enforcement officers are taking action whenever they see any road user committing an offence, but there are not enough officers employed to watch every kilometre of the road.

That said, it does happen. We can see a traffic violation report issued to a cyclist, in which the offence recorded was contrary to Article 18, Paragraph 1 of the General Driving Rules, citing in the basic translation of driving a vehicle without maintaining attention, riding with other cyclists three abreast, and using too much of the road from the right.

The offence carries a penalty of 80 euro, and saw the cyclist reported for risking his life, that of the group he was with, and the movement of other vehicles.

Moreover, the DGT's airborne equipment is starting to ease the pressure, watching from the sky. Recently, the Pegasus equipped helicopters have increased their vigilance towards cyclists, trying to make sure that large groups comply with safe practice on the roads, and, on a number of occasions, have called ground officers to intercept the groups, advise them of their unsafe practices, such as riding three abreast, and, in some cases, issue on the spot fines. Remember, cycles are vehicles too, and are subject to the same laws as other.

Ground officers also enforce the law when they see infractions by the way, as has been the case in a number of occasions, and they will continue to do so, for our part, it is not the job of other road users to police the road, or hinder the flow of anybody's movement, nor is it our role or right to create a hazard. If we see infractions, or actions that we believe are unsafe, we can notify the authorities to deal with the situation, but primarily, at the time, stay back, stay clear, stay calm and stay safe.