On Your Bike

15th edition of the Iberian Congress "The Bicycle and the City" to be held between May 16 and 20, 2018 in the city of Valencia

The Iberian Congress "The Bicycle and the City", the oldest bicycle-related congress of its kind to be organised in Spain, is a joint initiative between "ConBici" and the Portuguese "Federação de Cicloturismo e Utilizadores de Bicicleta". The first edition of the congress was staged in 1996, while the latest was held in the Spanish city of Zaragoza.

The 15th edition of the Iberian Congress "The Bicycle and the City" is being organized by the collectives València en Bici-Acció Ecologista Agró and Bici es Vida and will be held between May 16 and 20, 2018 in the city of Valencia.

Events

Its aim is to present the most significant developments and experiences related to the bicycle as a method of transport in Spain and Portugal, and is to include a series of events centred on the design of bike lanes, school paths, cycle routes, regulations, inter-modality, public bikes and new types of urban bikes, among others.

In the words of the Congress' website:

"The creation of a friendly, quieter city, with more green spaces and social usage and with fewer cars, requires the involvement of the city’s residents in the transformation of the urban environment. In this sense, the 15th edition of the Iberian Congress "The Bicycle and the City" aims to become a key element of this collective reflection. That is why the axes on which the congress is based are designed in a way to facilitate a holistic approach the urban complexity in which we find ourselves on a daily basis and into which the bicycle has been inserted. We believe that understanding the dynamic relationship between citizenship, urban planning and different modes of transport is the best way to achieve this goal, hence the Congress’ talks, speeches and workshops seek to strengthen the city’s citizen/organizational/professional/political network."

Parallel activities

The 15th Iberian Congress "The Bicycle and the City" will include the celebration of the 3rd Female Cyclists Meeting and the 2nd Bicifest Valencia Festival.

Further information

For further information about the Congress, its events and activities, consult the València Ciutat Amable website: Iberian Congress "The Bicycle and the City" website

 

Legal and Safety 

As is the case in many countries, there are often quite a lot of grey areas in our knowledge about what is and what is not legally-permissible when cycling on public roads in Spain, which can lead to a degree of uncertainty about what we can and cannot do when we are out riding our bikes. 

In our "Legal and Safety" articles, we'd like to help shed some light on what, to the best of our knowledge, are our legal rights and obligations when out and about on our bikes in Spain. 

We hope our artciles will be of use to you. However, we are not lawyers, nor do we offer professional legal advice, so please don't take our word for it and, as always, we recommend you consult a responsible adult before taking any action in relation to doing anything whatsoever. Just in case. 

So, having said that..... 

What is the maximum speed limit for bicycles on Spanish roads?

This question was brought to light recently in the wake of an incident that occurred near the Valencian village Barx, which sits on a plain at the top of a long, fast descent down towards the coastal city of Gandia. It's a beautiful mountain road, by the way, and well worth a visit. Barx can be reached either by climbing from Gandia in the east, or from the village of Simat de la Valldigna in the north.

On April 14, a cyclist was fined 100 euros by members of a Civil Guard traffic patrol after being caught by radar travelling downhill at 77 km/h on a stretch with a 60 km/h limit, and the response - suprisingly outraged in nature from some quarters - was not long in coming. Amid the toing, froing, cursing and headscratching from members of the cycling community about the "fairness" of the penalty, the question about just how fast cyclists are allowed to travel on Spanish roads remained.

It's a pertinent question and one to which the answer, as is so often the case in these matters, is "it depends......".

Let's take it by parts.

Firstly, we have the maximum speed limits for bicycles on the road as applicable within cities, villages and other built-up areas. Given Spain's highly decentralized political system, the country has a multi-tiered approach to the creation of regulations and legislation, and in such cases the speed limits will be established by the local/municipal authority and indicated by means of traffic signs for each specific urban area.

As every municipality has the capacity to establish its own limits, we can only recommend observing the speeds indicated on the applicable street signs. These are usually going to be around the 30 km/h limit in built-up/residential area although, we repeat, we would do well to pay attention to individual, specific indications.

Secondly, there is the question of the maximum speed limit for bicycles on interurban roads, that is, roads outside and between built-up areas.

According to a recent tweet by the Dirección General de Tráfico (Spanish  Traffic Authority), it would appear that the official maximum speed limit for bicycles on Spanish roads is 45 km/h:

@DGTes "Generic speed limits in Spain"

We can see the speed limit as applicable to bicycles in the right-hand column of following chart:

45 km/h, for all roads - that would seem to make things quite clear, although again, we would be wise to bear in mind the existence of specific municipal regulations.

Furthermore, this seems to be borne out by Article 48 of the Spanish General Traffic Regulation (Regulación General de Circulación), which states:

Article 48.- Maximum speeds on interurban roads.

1. The maximum speeds which must not be exceeded, except in those cases detailed in Article 51, are as follows:
e) For bicycles, two- and three-wheel mopeds and light quadracycles: 45 kilometres per hour.

However, Article 48 1 e) immediately proceeds to mention an exception to this limit:

Nevertheless, cyclists may exceed the mentioned maximum limit on such stretches where the traffic/road circumstances allow for higher speeds.

This would seem to be a definition open to varying interpretations, and hence a possible cause of conflict. It would, in principle, seem to be the interpretation applied by the Civil Guard to our budding Nibali on the descent from Barx, as the fine was issued for travelling at 77 km/h on a stretch of road with a 60 km/h limit, and not for having exceeded the 45 km/h maximum limit established for bicycles in the General Traffic Regulation.

Exactly when and where the "traffic/road circumstances allow for higher speeds", however, is not clear.

Is this an important issue while cycling in Spain?

In general, it probably isn't: the case in question made the news to a large degree precisely because of its unusual nature, and cyclists being fined for speeding is certainly not the order of the day.

However, it would be wise to bear in mind that such speed limits do exist when cycling on Spanish roads.

The damage that one can do to oneself when emulating Lo Squalo di Messina is, in principle, a matter for personal concern, but things can, and often do, become more complicated when other road users and third parties are involved and not speaking Spanish, chasing a Strava segment or being on our holidays are not, to the best of our knowledge, considered extenuating circumstances under Spanish legislation.

Be safe.

One year after its inauguration in March 2017, Valencia’s Cycle Ring Road (Anell ciclista) has registered a 20% increase in users. 

Valencia’s Transit Management Centre (Center de Gestió de Trànsit de València) recently published data reflecting the average daily usage of the municipal cycling network, which has registered an overall monthly increase in users of 2.3 percent. The most noteworthy figures reflect the 20.6% increase in use of the city’s Cycle Ring Road, in conjunction with a drop in the volume of motorized traffic over the same period.

Characterized by its uniform width of 2.5 metres and its location on the city’s roads, rather than its pavements, this key element of the city’s transport infrastructure runs in a circular route through the central points of Calle Xátiva, Plaza San Augstín, Guillem de Castro,the right bank of the Turia Gardens, Plaza de Tetuán, Puerta del Mar and Calle Colón.


The overall number of users using the Cycle Ring Road has increased by almost 4000 per day over the last year, with points such as Calle Xàtiva having registered up to 3,105 cyclists per day.

It is notable that the number of cyclists using the bridges which cross the Turia Gardens, and which serve as the main points of access to the Cycle Ring Road, fell by 1.9%, whilst bicycle traffic in the rest of the city rose by 4%.

With a 22.8% increase, Calle Cuenca in the east of the city registered the highest growth in usage of all the points that lie outside the Cycle Ring Road.

Alicante - BRM Brevet Randonneur Mondiaux 600 km

HOMOLOGATION SP682

May 12 at 5 a.m. to May 13 at 11 p.m.

Alicante's Club Ciclista Alibike has organized the next event in its series of Brevets for May 12 - 13.

Why is it spread over two days, you ask?

Because the route will see the riders take in the considerable distance of 600 km, for which the maximum time allowed under Audax Club Parisien Brevet de Randonneur Mondiaux regulations is 40 hours.

Description of the Route

So, 600 kms and two consecutive days on the bike await the participants.

The first 50 km are the same as those used in the club's previous 200 km Brevet, before the route zig-zags off towards the north side of Tudons, climbs up to Confrides and through Vall de Guadalest before turning east again and heading towards one of Alicante’s most classic climbs: Coll de Rates. 

With the sea by their side, the riders will continue through La Marina Alta as they head towards Cap Sant Antoni and El Montgó.  From Denia, the route climbs up through the beautiful Vall de Gallinera, continuing on to Alcoy and Sierra Mariola. From there, it follows the River Vinalopó and heads across the inland highlands towards Orihuela and the River Segura, crossing the Vega Baja and Camp de Elx region, bordering El Fondó, the salt marshes of Santa Pola, Clot de Galvany and Agua Amarga, where the riders will be greeted by the welcome sight of El Benacantil and Alicante rising on the horizon.

All in all, the route passes through the following locations:

Playa de San Juan (Avenida Locutor Vicente Hipólito, 37, Alicante) - San Vicente del Raspeig - Agost - Tibi - Ibi - Benifallim - Penáguila - Alcolecha - Sella - Finestrat - La Nucía - Benimantell - Confrides - Benasau - Gorga - Quatretondeta - Facheca - Famorca - Castell de Castells - Benichembla - Parcent - Tárbena - Bolulla - Altea la Vella - Calpe - Teulada - Benitachell - Xabia - Denia - El Verger - Pego - Adsubia - Planes - Benimarfull - L'Alqueria d'Asnar - Cocentaina - Alcoy - Urb. Pinatell - Banyeres - Biar - Villena - Salinas - Pinoso - La Algueña - El Cantón - Macisvenda - Abanilla - La Murada - Benferri - Orihuela - Hurchillo - Torremendo - Jacarilla - Benejuzar - Algorfa - Almoradí - Dolores - Catral - San Felipe Neri - Balsares - El Altet - Torrellano - Playa de San Juan

Checkpoints

The compulsory checkpoints which the riders must past through are located as follows:

Km 42 Tibi
Km 84 Alcolecha
Km 125 La Nucía
Km 167 Quatretondeta
Km 218 Bolulla
Km 271 Xàbia
Km 348 Cocentaina
Km 426 Salinas
Km 515 Torremendo
Km 551 San Felipe Neri
Km 605 Arrival at Playa de San Juan

Climbs

The most notable climbs on this 600 km Brevet are:

Km 25 Maigmó
Km 42 Climb from Tibi
Km 128 Climb to Benimantell
Km 141 Confrides from Confrides
Km 197 Coll de Rates
Km 249 Fustera
Km 270 Montgó
Km 322 Alto de Margarida
Km 355 Salt

Complete information about the Club Ciclista Alibike 600 km BRM Brevet Randonneur Mondiaux can be found at the Ciclismo en Alicante website and Ciclismo en Alicante Facebook page, and those who feel the itch to register can do so at the Club Ciclista Alibike BRM 600 km Registration Page

The Provincial Council of Valencia's northern province, Castellón, is promoting cycling tourism by means of 31 cycling routes covering 2,347 kilometres throughout the province

The Castellón Provincial Council, which is committed to cycling as a source of new opportunities for the development of the region’s towns and villages, has created 31 cycling routes covering some 2,347 kilometres spread throughout the entire province.

This project sees the Provincial Council add these specialized routes to the region’s existing tourism offer, which already includes the promotion of leisure and competitive cycling throughout Castellón under the umbrella of the Castellón Escenario Deportivo programme.

The Chair of the Provincial Council, Javier Moliner, recently presented the hard copies of the routes’ guidebooks in an event held before a group of cycling club members and touring cyclists. The content of the print versions of the guides is already available for downloading at www.turismodecastellon.com.

“We believe in Castellón’s potential, and we have already seen that sport represents health and positive values, as well as wealth, employment and opportunities for our people and our towns and villages. And it is this conviction that has led to this initiative to improve the promotion of the region’s cycling attractions and resources, both for Castellón’s own cyclists and for the thousands of tourists who never leave home without their bikes”, said Moliner.

Moliner went on to explain that "these are the most complete guides to cycle touring routes in our province published so far. They cover a total of 31 routes of all levels and include the region’s main locations of interest, because in addition to providing exercise, this sport enables visitors to enjoy Castellón’s landscapes, towns and gastronomy.”

Each guidebook includes a technical profile and an explanation of the municipalities the route passes through, as well as eating recommendations and the main tourist attractions to visit in the area.

Cycle tourism, strategic for the future of tourism in Castellón

The Castellón Provincial Council's promotion of cycling in the province is conceived from a cross-cutting perspective: by providing promotional and specialized material, by encouraging the adaptation of the province’s tourism offer to the needs of cycle tourists by means of lines of support, by participating in specialized trade fairs and by promoting the celebration of cycling events in the province’s towns and villages.

Cycle tourists figure as a priority target group within the Provincial Council Tourism Marketing Plan, as well as within the Castellón Province’s Strategic Tourism Plan for 2017-2020.

For further information about Castellón's cycle routes, as well as downloadable guides:

Have fun and discover Castellón on two wheels

Volta Ciclista a Castelló 2018 

The Castellón Provincial Council is lending its support to the Volta Ciclista a Castelló 2018 stage race, the thirty-sixth edition of which will take place in the province from June 7 to 10. This upcoming edition will once again see this emblematic cycling event take its place as one of the province’s main sport tourism references: the event is responsible for more than 1200 bed nights and generates a direct economic impact of more 150,000 euros in the province’s municipalities.

The Chair of the Castellón Provincial Council, Javier Moliner, has signed a collaboration agreement with the Chair of the SEPELACO Cycling Club and race director, José Cabedo. The agreement includes a contribution of 40,000 euros from the Provincial Council to the race.

“The event’s history clearly demonstrates, on the one hand, the quality of the race organization and, on the other, the economic and tourist impact generated within the province by sporting events such as this. Since its beginnings, this stage race has been an excellent showcase for Castellón’s tourism sector, as well as serving to revitalize the activities of many businesses operating in the municipalities included on its route”, said the Chair.

Castellón Escenario Deportivo

This collaboration forms part of the Provincial Council’s support to sport as a catalyst for the provincial economy, which it carries out through the “Castellón Escenario Deportivo” project.

“The Volta Ciclista a Castelló once again demonstrates that our province is the best possible setting for the practice of cycling. We only have to take a look at our roads, both on the coast and in the interior, and especially on the weekends, to see that this is true.”

19 domestic and international under-23 teams will participate in this year’s edition of the race, which will be split over four stages: Benicàssim-Benicàssim, Onda-Alqueries, Grao de Castellón-Vistabella, and Castellón-Castellón.

Further information

For further information about Volta Ciclista a Castelló 2018:

Volta Ciclista a Castelló website

Legal and Safety 

As is the case in many countries, there are often quite a lot of grey areas in our knowledge about what is and what is not legally-permissible when cycling on public roads in Spain, which can lead to a degree of uncertainty about what we can and cannot do when we are out riding our bikes. 

In our "Legal and Safety" articles, we'd like to help shed some light on what, to the best of our knowledge, are our legal rights and obligations when out and about on our bikes in Spain. 

We hope they'll be of use to you. However, we are not lawyers, nor do we offer professional legal advice, so please don't take our word for it and, as always, we recommend you consult a responsible adult before taking any action in relation to doing anything whatsoever. Just in case. 

So, having said that.....

Is it legal to ride two abreast on Spanish roads?

If you're anywhere near being a regular cyclist, you'll almost certainly be familiar with comments from other road users indicating that cyclists should not ride two abreast on public roads.

Under no circumstances.

Ever.

And, again, if you're anywhere near being a regular cyclist, you'll almost certainly have learnt that other road users cannot usually be considered a reliable source of advice about what cyclists can and cannot legally do on public roads.

So, where do we find out if it is legal to ride two abreast on Spanish roads?

In the Reglamento General de Circulación artículo 36.2 (General Traffic Regulation Article 36.2), revised on 18/07/2015, that's where.

Which is fun. All the more so when we find out that the answer is "yes".

According to the mentioned article:

It is forbidden for the vehicles listed in the previous section to circulate two abreast, with the exception of bicycles, which may do so in two parallel columns, keeping as far to the extreme right-hand side of the road as possible and riding in single-file on sections of road with poor visibility, and when there is heavy traffic. When circulating on dual-carriageways, bicycles must always use the hard shoulder, and must under no circumstances occupy the carriageway.

The regulation also gives a group of cyclists the consideration of a single vehicle, exempting its members from the obligation to maintain the reglementary distance between each other, whilst allowing them to overtake other members of the same group.

Hard Shoulder

There is however a little bit of uncertainty in the regulation's definition about when cyclists are to use the hard shoulder, what with that mention of "keeping as far to the extreme right-hand side of the road as possible", and article 36.1 seeming to contradict article 36.2 when stating:

in the absence of a dedicated route, or a dedicated part of the carriageway, (bicycles) are to use the right-hand shoulder, if the shoulder is useable and of sufficient size. To the contrary, they are to use the necessary part of the carriageway.

Hmmm.... . So.... cyclists are to keep as far right "as possible", use the hard shoulder, when there is one, unless they can't, in which case....the "necessary part of the carriageway".

The clue is in the terms "as possible", "useable", "the necessary part" and, to a lesser degree, "of sufficient size", all of which are open to interpretation, as a fat tyre bike rider's "useable" may well be a roadie's minefield, and "the extreme right-hand side of the road as possible" will almost certainly be interpreted differently by motor vehicle drivers and by cyclists, and possibly by the police, too.

"The necessary part of the carriageway"...... . How do you quantify that in a manner that is universally acceptable?

And what about a trike....?

But, anyway, is any of this important?

Well....it is if we are (legally) riding two abreast, but can't fit both files of riders onto the hard shoulder and we don't want to get fined and/or into arguments/collisions with other, "informed" road users.

Such things have been known to happen.

The regulation doesn't ever really get around to clearing up this doubt, but general practice and policing would suggest that a group of cyclists riding on a road with a narrow/unuseable(no hard shoulder would be alright using the carriageway.

You may not be safe from the attentions, verbal and otherwise, of certain road users, but you should in most cases, regulation in hand, be on the right side of the law.

Of course, the regulation also introduces certain conditions and exceptions relative to riding two abreast. For example, two abreast means just that: in rows of two, not more, no hogging of the road; and riding two-abreast is not allowed when doing so would cause an obstruction to traffic or when there is poor visibility.

But this is surely a matter of common sense.

However, and this should be obvious, although as cyclists we are allowed to ride in double file, it is wise to remember that it is in everybody's interest that we help drivers when they are overtaking us. Not only will the car in question be in front of us (which is usually preferable to it being behind us), it is also just possible that driver may remember our help and act accordingly the next time they meet a group of cyclists on the road.

Be safe, always count to ten, and don't forget to read our disclaimer.

Cicloturismo en la Comunidad Valenciana is part of a project that aims to FOSTER CYCLING as a strategy for the local development of towns and regions of the Valenica Community (funbici.org).

Conceived as an association registered with the Valencian Regional Government (Generalitat Valenciana), Ciclismo en la Comunidad Valenciana is made up of a team whose members have been drawn from the worlds of business, the public administration and groups dedicated to defending cycling as both a means of transport and a sustainable leisure activity.

This project is based on research carried out between 2014 and 2015 through the University of Alicante, during which the potential of cycling tourism (initially, in the province of Alicante), as well as the needs of European cyclists (the most mature segment of demand at the present time) was analyzed.

Although the project was initially focussed on the province of Alicante, it is currently being extended to the rest of the Valencian Community.

The Ciclismo en la Comunidad Valenciana website provides visitors with information on routes within the region, including extensive information on the Vía Verde network, as well as bicycle tourism-related services, such as bicycle rental and accommodation, etc.


Cycling is a mode of active tourism that is characterized as an economic activity with a low carbon footprint and high potential for growth in Europe. In certain countries, bicycle tourism already represents a significant percentage of the overall domestic tourism revenue.

Its non-seasonal nature and strong local component, together with its minimal impact on the environment, make cycling tourism a key factor for the development of European regions. In this sense, the European Cyclists' Federation is developing, within the framework of the Europe2020 objective, a system of bike paths (EuroVelo) that will allow cyclists to tour the continent by bike.

Through its activities, Ciclismo en la Comunidad Valenciana aims to position the Valencian Community on the domestic and the international cycling maps, working to promote its activities from the ground up, that is, through the region’s citizens to potential domestic and European visitors.

The project has already received the backing of social groups working in favour of cycling and of local companies. If you think that you’d be able to help in the promotion of cycling in the Valencian Community, don’t hesitate to contact the team members via the Ciclismo en la Comunidad Valenciana website.

Ciclismo en la Comunidad Valenciana website

On September 29th, 2018, the VIII Marcha Alberto Contador will bring together cyclists from all over the world for a unique Gran Fondo, accompanied by some of the leading figures in Spanish cycling, on a most spectacular, 167km-route that takes in some of the most popular cycling spots in the province of Alicante. The race’s format is that of a cyclosportive, meaning that the participants will be able to enjoy a route that is completely closed off to traffic.



Setting off from Oliva Nova, the participants will ride south down the coast to the town of Denia, from where they will head inland towards Parcent and the popular climb of Coll de Rates (615m). From the top of Rates, the ride continues further inland via Castell de Castells to Quatretondeta, before heading back over the route's highest point at Muro de Tollos (836m) and towards the coast via Vall de la Gallinera and Vall d'Ebo, finishing in Oliva Nova.

Accommodation

Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort will house the participants of the VIII Marcha Alberto Contador as the race’s official accommodation provider. Located right on the waterfront, surrounded by olive trees and orange fields between Gandía (Valencia) and Denia (Alicante), Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort combines sun, sea and mountains to bring your dream holidays to life.
Its golf course, its tennis and paddle courts, its high performance equestrian centre, its 4 soccer fields and its state-of-the-art gymnasium also make it the ideal destination for athletes, both amateur and professional.

The Alberto Contador Foundation

The Alberto Contador Foundation is a non-profit organisation that bases its actions on two main pillars:

On the one hand, its actions are geared towards promoting the everyday use of bicycles as a mode of transport and locomotion, and thus achieving a general awareness within society that cycling is a source of health and wellbeing.

And on the other hand, it also focuses on the fight against Stroke. The foundation aims to raise the population’s awareness regarding this cerebrovascular accident that increasingly affects our society and, in many cases, could be prevented through healthy habits.

For further details, consult the Marcha Alberto Contador website >> here

Code SP489

April 7, 2018, sees the celebration of a 400 km Brevet, starting from La Carrasqueta and heading out to El Peñón de Ifach in Calpe before tracking back through the mountains of Alicante and the inland regions and out once more towards the coast.

The route takes in Playa de San Juan (Avenida Locutor Vicente Hipólito, 37, Alicante) - Xixona - Benilloba - Benasau - Ares del Bosque - Confrides - Benifato - Guadalest - Callosa d'en Sarriá - Altea la Vella - Calpe - Moraira - Benitatxell - Xàbia - Jesús Pobre - Gata de Gorgos - Lliber - Xaló - Alcalalí - Parcent - Benigembla - Castell de Castells - Facheca - Famorca - Tollos - Beniaia - Alcalá de la Jovada - Vall de Ebó - Pego - L'Atzubia - Vall de Gallinera - Patró - L'Orxa - Beniarrés - Castelló de Rugat - Albaida - Agullent - Ontenient - Bocairent - Villena - Salinas - Monóvar - Novelda - Agost - San VIcente del Raspeig - Playa de San Juan.



Starting at 5 am on Saturday 7th, the maximum time allowed for a 400 km BRM is 27 hours.

Further information and registration: Ciclismo en Alicante