Car and bicycle in Spain

Car and bicycle in Spain – Information about the current road traffic regulation

Bicycling next to each other - is it allowed?

It is allowed in Spain, but in a column, a maximum of two and only if there are no signs, which prohibit bicycling next to each other. The law also says that they have to drive behind each other in confusing streets. Exception: Parallel driving is permitted if the traffic is not impeded.

Motorcyclists and cyclists - who has the priority in traffic?

Cyclists have in Spain the right of way ahead of the motorized traffic. The motorized driver has to consider a bicycle column as a "single mobile unit". This means that a column can only be overtaken as a whole - and of course only if the manoeuvre does not impede or endanger cyclists. At crossroads and roundabouts: as soon as a cyclist is at a crossroad or enters the roundabout, the motorized driver must wait until the entire bicycle column has passed the area.

How and where is it allowed to overtake bicycles?

When overtaking single cyclists or groups, on roads with 2 or more lanes in each direction, the adjacent lane must be fully used. On single-lane roads, a minimum lateral distance of 1,5 meters must be maintained. The 1,5 meter is also obligatory for the cyclists, if they overtake slow driving agricultural vehicles. Under certain conditions, cyclists can also be overtaken on a solid line. If there is no oncoming traffic, the driver of the car has the permission to cross the solid line when overtaking a bicycle to maintain the 1,5 meter minimum distance. . Violations are punishable with 6 points.

What are the obligations of cyclists in Spain?

In general, the road traffic regulations apply to cyclists. Cyclists have the obligation to use margin strips or special bicycle zones as long as they are available and to keep as far as possible to the right side in order to claim only the necessary space on the roadway. Wearing a helmet on country roads is obligatory; inside the city, only cyclists with an age less than 16 years have to wear a helmet, unless the responsible traffic authorities recommend it for all.

It is forbidden to wear headphones in the ear or to make a call while driving. It is also obligatory for cyclists in Spain to turn on the front light as well as to attach reflectors at the rear of the bike. Reflective clothing must be worn at night.

With regard to alcohol and drugs, cyclists in Spain have the same regulations and controls as the drivers of cars. The following limit values apply to both groups: The alcohol concentration in the air has to be less than 0,25 milligrams per litre; the limit for the concentration in the blood is 0,5 per mil. Novice drivers have a maximum of 0,15 milligrams per litre of alcohol – 0,3 per millilitre for the concentration in the blood.

Motorized traffic threatens fines of 500 Euros and points. Cyclists only get a penalty, as there is not point system for cyclists. Drunkenness in traffic starts with an amount of more than 1,2 per mil and is in Spain a criminal offense - it threatens community-based sentences or even prison and driving restrictions.