BIKING IN SPAIN

[Wayne_5133334]

Hi,

Can any one tell us just how fussy the Spainish police are about casual local bikers having a helmit and reflectors which we understand to be a legal requiremnt in Spain. We only want to potter on the bikes, not Tour de France

Wayne

 

[Angela_5076436]

OK - dealing with UK first.

To my knowledge [ and I have just checked with a mad cyclist friend ] you have to have reflectors [ red ] here.

Quoting mate ⇦all UK bikes - BY LAW - are sold with reflectors. He should have them. If not, they're cheap and worth picking up not only "just in case" but b/c they are a good idea.⇨

He also checked the CTC Site and from there got

⇦Spanish helmet law - 2005.03 Can you tell me whether it is compulsory to wear helmets in Spain? ANSWER It is - but with quite a lot of exceptions: like when it's hot, steeply uphill, or a built-up area! You may like to argue that it's always hot in Spain (compared to chilly Britain) but it's probably wiser to carry a helmet with you to put on when stopped by the cops. They have a trick of confiscating front wheels, to prevent further infringement by bolshy extranjeros! ⇨

Mate also provided this link for you

http://www.justlanded.com/english/spain/tools/articles/travel_leisure/general_information_and_useful_tip

 

[Angela_5076436]

Blas it - why can't I copy and paste into this site - will re type and post

 

[Angela_5076436]

first quote from mate

all UK bikes - BY LAW - are sold with refletors. He should have them. If not , they're cheap and worth picking up not only "just in case " but because they are a good idea

second quote [ from CTC Site ]

Spanish Helmet law - 205.03 Can you tell me whether it is compulsory to wear helmets in Spain

Answer - It is , but with quite a lot of exceptions: like when it's hot , steeply uphill, or a built up area ! You may like to argue that it's always hot in Spain [ compared to chilly Britain ] but its probably wiser to carry a helmet with you to put on when stopped by cops. They have a trick of confiscating front wheels , to prevent further infringement by bolshy extranjeros !

the web link was

http://www.justlanded.com/english/spain/tool/articles/travel_leisure/general_information_anduseful_tip

 

[KeithM]

We have just spent 5 weeks at Camping Torre de la Mora, just north of Tarragona. We cycled helmetless from La Mora along to Altafulla and Torredembarra a few times and still have our front wheels (!). The really serious racer-types all wore helmets (along with all the other flash gear) but most casual pedallers seem not to bother. Maybe we were lucky (in more ways than one).

Keith (M)

 

[Wayne_5133334]

Thanks all, clear as mud and looks like "takes your chance". much appricated all the same.

Wayne