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Bicycles have become an increasingly popular transportation option in cities across Spain. Sustainable mobility, concern for the environment and restrictions on combustion vehicles have prompted many people to opt for bicycles as a means of travel.
However, it is important to understand the rules and regulations governing the circulation of bicycles in cities in Spain to ensure the safety of cyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers alike.
We tell you about the different roads and situations in which bicycles can circulate in the city (in Spain). Move safely!
Knowing how to ride a bike, whether it’s an electric or traditional bike, around the city can be very confusing and many drivers are not aware of the regulations. Questions how: can I ride a bike on the road? Where do I stand in the lane? Am I obliged to ride on the bike lane?
In this article, we will talk about the different ways in which bicycles can circulate in the city and answer frequently asked questions about how to ride a bike in Spanish cities.
Although many people think that cycling in the city can be dangerous, this will always depend on the infrastructure and roads that are installed, municipal regulations, following traffic rules and taking the appropriate safety measures. Read on and find out where you should ride your bike so you don’t put yourself or others at risk.
Where can cyclists ride in the city?
Surely on more than one occasion you have heard a person say: “I only ride my bicycle in the park or on the sidewalk”. However, many of these beliefs are born from ignorance about the rules and areas enabled in a city for cyclists.
Read your local municipal traffic ordinance
To begin with, it is important that you read and follow the rules and regulations that govern the circulation of bicycles in the cities of Spain and especially that of your municipality, to ensure that you are not committing any fault and thus be sure that what you do is right. This point can be a bit confusing and complicated, since each municipality can regulate the circulation of bicycles differently. There is no general ordinance for the entire state (unfortunately), so it is time to visit the city council’s website and look for the mobility ordinance.
Here you can find some of the ordinances of some of the Spanish cities.
Note: there may be more current ordinances. Do a quick Google search to make sure it’s current.
Madrid
Barcelona
Valence
Seville
Saragossa
Different ways in which bicycles can circulate in the city, what are they?
Cycling around the city is an increasingly growing trend, proof of this is that many cities already have an extensive network of bike lanes and an urban mobility plan. By the way, in this post we tell you the 10 best cities with bike lanes in Spain. And it is that pedaling around the city is simple as long as you know where to do it, especially if you move in Bike at night.
If you are a cyclist in the city you can ride on bike lanes, roads or interurban roads as long as you respect the rules of road safety.
Bike lane
The bike lane or cycle path is a path or path of the public infrastructure intended for the circulation of bicycles (understand that ebikes or electric bicycles are included here). On this type of road, generally, the priority is the bicycle. Depending on the ordinance of each city, it is possible that the bike lane can be shared with other personal mobility vehicles (PMVs).
Bike lanes in Spain can be found in various ways and the colour of the pavement also varies (even in the same city). Motor vehicles (cars, motorcycles and mopeds) cannot circulate, stop, or park.
The DGT differentiates 6 types of roads for the circulation of bicycles:
– Cycle path: a road specifically prepared for cycle traffic, with the corresponding horizontal and vertical signage, and whose width allows the safe passage of these vehicles.
– Bike lane: a cycle path close to the road, one-way or two-way. Motor vehicles (cars, motorcycles and mopeds) cannot circulate, stop, or park. Pedestrians may not walk, run, or occupy these lanes, except to cross them at marked crossings.
– Protected bike lane: bike lane provided with lateral elements that separate it from the sidewalk and the road. As in the bike lane, pedestrians are not allowed to circulate on it and neither can motorized vehicles.
– Bicycle sidewalk: consists of a portion of the pedestrian sidewalk, differentiated from pedestrian use and intended for the circulation of bicycles. In this case, the cyclist’s speed should be moderate and increase caution. Pedestrians have the right of way.
– Bike track: cycle path separated from pedestrians and traffic.
– Cycle path: path for pedestrians and cycles. In this case, pedestrians and cyclists live on the same road, therefore, the speed of the bicycle has to be very low and the preference is always that of the pedestrian. In the event that the road is very congested, we recommend getting off the bike to avoid incidents.
For greater safety, in the city and on the road it is highly recommended – not mandatory – to ride on the bike lanes whenever they are available.
Lane 30
Lane 30, cycle-lane or cycle-street is, as the name suggests, a special lane on the road that sets a maximum speed limit of 30 km/h. The main objective of this measure is to improve road safety and create safer environments for pedestrians and cyclists in urban areas. The good news about this type of space is that bicycles have preference and other vehicles must adapt the speed, promoting a friendlier city. Rail 30 has already been used in Spain for many years in cities such as Madrid, Seville or Barcelona; cities that have taken measures to promote pacified traffic.
Lane 30 is signposted so that different users know how to identify it. Road markings range from a bicycle or a road marking with a limit of 30 km/h. It is also recognized thanks to the fact that there is a mSpecial ark for stopping bicycles and motorcycles in front of the cars, they are called avanzabicis or advanced stopping.
And you may be wondering, are 30 lanes effective?
Well… The controversy is served. Several studies show that just making road markings and having regulations is not enough, since the law must be enforced. There are very few fines (and many excesses) for exceeding the maximum speed allowed in this type of lane. For example, youA fine for going over 30 can mean (only) €200 fine and 2 licence points. If you already exceed 60km/h the fine increases (although not too much) to €300 and withdrawal of 4 points. OrOne way to encourage respect for lanes 30 is by letting other users know about the existing regulations and republishing them on social networks.
When sharing the road with other vehicles (cars, trucks, buses, etc.), our recommendation is that you increase all safety measures even more: wear a helmet, carry lights (even if you look like a Christmas tree) and signal each maneuver.
In cycle lane 30 you must ride in the centre of the lane. Oh, On these roads, you must ride in the direction of traffic, as long as there is no bike lane that allows segregated traffic in the opposite direction.
Public Parks
In Spain, cycling is most common in public parks. Use existing roads for circulation (do not go cross-country).
Parks are ideal spaces to enjoy bike rides in a quiet environment surrounded by nature.
In addition, you can often use them as shortcuts, avoid traffic or to join two bike lanes. However, it is important to rememberthat there are parks and gardens where cycling is not allowed. Find out before you enter, now that regulations may vary depending on the park and the city you are in.
The road
Can bicycles ride on the road like any other vehicle? Absolutely YES. Bicycles are a vehicle and can circulate on the road, and must comply with all safety and traffic regulations.
As we mentioned, in the city you can drive on the road, preferably in the lane closest to the pavement and in the centre of the lane, as it is the safest area to circulate. Watch out for doors that open and cars that leave garages or merge after being parked.
There are some exceptions to driving in the lane closest to the curb:
- When the right lane is a Bus Lane. Unless a traffic sign or municipal regulation indicates it, it is not allowed to ride a bike on it.
- When the right lane forces you to go in a direction you don’t want to go. It forces you to turn right when you want to go straight or it forces you to go straight when you want to turn left.
- When you overtake or pass another vehicle.
Can bicycles or PMVs circulate in the bus lane?
No, you cannot ride in the bus lane if it is not allowed and specifically signposted.
Can I ride my bike on the pavement?
Generally speaking, you can NOT ride a bike on the sidewalk. The bike, when it is not a toy, is a vehicle and must follow the rules as such. The sidewalks are for priority use by pedestrians. Although there are some exceptions:
– If it is a sidewalk-bike. Obviously, you must ride through the space enabled for bicycles.
– In cities such as Madrid or Barcelona, 12-year-olds are the only ones who can circulate on any sidewalk, always respecting the priority of pedestrians. In Barcelona, the minor can be accompanied by an adult cyclist.
– Barcelona City Council also allows cycling on the pavement “when the pavement measures more than 5 metres and has 3 metres of free space of passage” and “when riding at night (between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.) on pavements of more than 4.75 meters and that have 3 meters of free space of passage”.
As we said above, it is important that you read the municipal ordinance of the city you are driving through.
Where should I drive on interurban roads?
If you are riding on interurban roads, a helmet is mandatory at all times. If there is a hard shoulder, you should always ride on it as long as it is in good condition and the asphalt provides safety to the cyclist. You can only leave the hard shoulder on long curved descents or in case the hard shoulder does not meet the safety conditions. In this case, we recommend that you go to the right of the road occupying as little space as possible.
Is the use of a helmet mandatory to ride a bike in the city?
For adults, the use of a helmet is NOT mandatory to move around the city by bike.
The use of a helmet will only be mandatory for people over 16 years of age when riding on interurban roads, except for prolonged climbs, justified medical reasons or extreme heat.
Helmets are mandatory on all roads and at all times for children under 16 years of age, either as a cyclist or passenger.
However, at Ossby we always recommend the use of a helmet. Remember that you must choose a helmet that fits your needs and meets the European standard EN1078.
Know How to Drive Around the City requires full knowledge of the permitted areas and precautions to be taken in each situation. Because if we do it right, there is room for all of us when it comes to driving around the city. Including your new one Folding electric bike.
