Three cyclists were killed on Balearic roads up to 6 April, while in total the 112 emergency services attended 177 accidents, some of which resulted in serious injuries.
Reflecting the increased number of cyclists later in the first quarter and now into April, there were 75 accidents in March, compared with 39 in January and 46 in February, plus 17 over the first six days of this month. The great majority were in Majorca - 156 - with 17 in Ibiza and only four in Minorca.
The emergency service is stressing that spring is when the number of cyclists is at its greatest and is recommending that cyclists exercise care on the roads. Its advice follows normal common sense rules: wearing a properly adjusted helmet; protectors to minimise injuries in the event that there is a fall; ensuring bikes are in perfect condition and have lights front and back; sporting clothes with bright colours or wearing reflective vests; riding on the hard shoulder or in bike lanes and in single file when in a group; not riding behind vehicles that impede visibility; not riding alone; choosing roads with light traffic; and not riding carelessly, e.g without hand on handlebars.
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1. Very variable cycling skill and consideration level. I see lots who are in complete control and very aware of other road users and their needs. Others are clearly novices and not aware of the needs of others. Others are unfortunately just plain inconsiderate (just as are many card rivers unfortunately).2. The roads and infrastructure we now enjoy as residents (and has massively improved in the 30 years I have lived here) has been paid for by general taxation and EU subsidies mainly (Germany has contributed more than most to this and the majority of the visiting cyclists are German).3. Almost all cyclists are also car drivers and therefore pay road tax / vehicle excise duty.
I have always been a supporter of mountain bikers until today when I tried to drive from Inca to Cala Tuent along the mountain road. Cyclists in groups riding 2 or 3 or 4 abreast. Others bombing down the mountain in the middle of the road at full pelt. And then when I took to berpibg my horn around the bends to warn that a car was coming I suffered abuse. We got a drink thrown over us into my convertible as we entered a petrol station with our path completely blocked so I couldn’t even drive in -to a petrol station!!!!!!! Something is seriously wrong here. I am a considerate driver who is not in a hurry and certainly with no wish to injure anyone. But today I think perhaps they deserve everything they get.
Firstly, Mike - what on earth? 'Legitimate target' - you need your licence revoking. Most cyclists do own a car too! I accept that some cyclists are not good on the roads but most are. Just like most drivers are sensible whereas some treat the road as their own race-track. The difference between a bad cyclist and a bad driver is that one is in charge of a two tonne killing machine. If we look at the recent accidents in Mallorca, one guy got fatigued and pulled out in front of a truck, the other was hit by a car that was out of control. We share the roads, cars don't own then, bikes don't own them - and btw riding two abreast is far safer than single file - if you are in a big group and ride in single file a motorist will try and overtake, realise he can't make it and pull in on you. It is also fully allowed under both the highway code and the rules of the road in the balearics dor this very reason.
Excuse me for my bad english. I regret to say cyclists are looking for an accident. They go always in big groups invading all the right side, with no place for the cars arriving by the back. I met twice a group after a bend and a truck coming in the other sense. And, where I put my car? On the top of the rocky wall? Cyclist must by on by one amb exactly by their right hand.
The cyclists are the best news that has happened to this island for a long time.They leave money behind, they promote healthy activities and they prolong the season. With every influx there are challenges but to suggest punitive tariffs for active tourists (who leave behind 150 euro a day) its just another ill-perceived idea from the "moan-brigade" who dominate this chatroom.
It's the same in the uk all I do is treat them as a legitimate target and if they had a proper job they could afford a car
It really does not surprise me that the number of accidents with cyclists increase. And please don't blame it on the roads and please stop saying investments are needed to make them safer. Start with the cyclists themselfs. Once they are step into their cyclist outfit they think they above the law, invading the roads without any respect for other users, without any notice of signs etc : we are here to cycle, we rule the island.
A new task for the tax raising supremo - Sr. Barceló. €1 daily on all visiting cyclists to pay for possible treatment by IB-Salut. Add to that €1 daily to go towards the road tax which they do not pay - to improve roads and create more cycle lanes. All can be collected where they pick up their bikes, or if they bring them - the places where they stay. I have just spent another very frustrating day on the narrow roads & lanes around Alcudia, Playa de Muro & Can Picafort. Gangs of sometimes 30/50 at a time. No respect for other road users. 3/4 abreast - if you blast the horn all you get is the finger. I even encountered one on a bike at the front pulling six grown adults in a line on roller blades swaying from side to side. Yes - this is a playground for them. Ok - but make them pay as motorists etc. have to pay. And of course add the tourist tax. By the way - IVA on everything!! Having said that, I sympathize with those who have been killed or injured - but let's start to sort the problem before it becomes uncontrollable.