The Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) has announced a series of measures that will come into force this year, aimed at improving road safety for cyclists, a particularly vulnerable group on Spanish roads. One of the main new features is a change in overtaking rules. From now on, drivers will have to reduce their speed by 20 km/h below the permitted limit when overtaking a cyclist.
Thus, the obligation to leave a minimum lateral distance of 1.5 metres during the manoeuvre is maintained. This measure has generated debate among drivers, who argue that slowing down could increase the risks of overtaking in the oncoming lane. However, the DGT defends its implementation as essential to protect cyclists.
As for the use of helmets, they are compulsory without exception for all cyclists. Previously, there were certain situations in which it was not compulsory, but with the new regulation, helmets must always be worn. In addition, in low visibility conditions, cyclists must wear reflective or luminous accessories that allow them to be seen from at least 150 metres away.
The changes also affect the urban environment. Drivers will have to keep a minimum distance of 5 metres when following a cyclist, in order to reduce the risk of accidents. Cyclists will have more flexibility in dense traffic situations, as they will be allowed to overtake vehicles on both sides. Also, on single-lane streets with a speed limit of 30 km/h, they will be able to ride in the opposite direction.
These measures aim to reduce the accident rate among cyclists, especially after registering 90 deaths in 2023 due to traffic accidents, an increase over the previous year. The DGT insists on the importance of coexistence and mutual respect among all road users to achieve safer and more efficient mobility.
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Sure. Nobody on this island ever seems to be in any rush to get anywhere anyway. Oh how the cyclists annoy me. Secondary road now overflowing with entitled cyclists AND the trucks that are rerouting and avoiding the Via Cintura. Ridiculous. You know, it leads to even more frustration and therefore dangerous driving. Whatever.
Darwin D100% agree. Also, how about not cycling in pedestrianised areas which have 'NO CYCLING' signs up or cycling the wrong way down one-way streets and expecting everyone else to get out of your way?
New law should obligate cyclists TO STOP when passing a stop sign. Sacred are they...
DGT. You cannot get any more ridiculous then these new laws. (Accept for the helmet law). I see even more bike accidents and deaths with them going in the wrong direction and passing on the right. Just plain stupid people making up these laws. What about making it mandatory to have lights on your bike at night? Hmmm. That would make sense. So no.
FFS. I assume this won't apply when a cyclist is in a designated 'bike lane'? It is only common sense to get past the 'obstacle' be it a car, cyclist, bus or motocompo as fast (and as safely) as possible. This is only gong to lead to more incidents as the overtaking motorist gets rear ended by someone behind who is travelling 20 kmph faster. Also, who is going to inform all the tourists from all over the world of this new rule when they rent a car? All of a sudden some nervous driver who isn't used to driving on the left, in an unfamiliar car who doesn't know where they are going is suddenly going to panic when they try to pass a group of cyclists 4 abreast.
Cyclists in mallorca already behave like they have all the rights and no obligations. Let's just propose closing all the roads for motor vehicles.
So in urban areas with 30km/h, all traffic could be reduced to 10km/h (brisk walking speed) if there is a slow bike anywhere on the road, because... NO OVERTAKING. Is there any joined up thinking here?
I think it's safe to assume that the director of the traffic department has shaved legs.
Amost unbelievable... Some of these ideas seem designed to INCREASE accident rates (again)!
Who comes up with this nonsense! 'Also, on single-lane streets with a speed limit of 30 km/h, they will be able to ride in the opposite direction'. 'they will be allowed to overtake vehicles on both sides. That's really going to help cyclist's safety! Maybe if they didn't ride like total ****s they would be safer.