A dozen groups have issued a joint statement demanding that the Council of Mallorca and the Spanish Government's delegation in the Balearics do not authorise this year's Mallorca 312 cycling event and that it is suspended until a rigorous and strict evaluation of the public interest has been carried out, based on social and environmental criteria.
The event is scheduled for April 26 and will attract 8,000 cyclists. The groups argue that all it does is intensify tourist overcrowding in spring and they reject the view that it contributes to tackling tourism seasonality. It will once again seriously affect residents along the entire route, who will have their movements restricted for several hours, up to seven in some cases.
Although 312 allows the participation of local cyclists, they say it is conceived primarily as a tourist business and "enriches certain businesspeople through the abusive use of common assets, such as the roads".
The Council of Mallorca is criticised for "turning the island into a theme park" and permitting the violation of the fundamental rights of residents in favour of a tourist business. Unlike fiestas or local races, Mallorca 312 "does not respond to any social need or any general interest, but generates a negative impact on the environment, benefits a tourist sector at the expense of resources and harms the well-being of the residents of Mallorca".
In the event that authorisation cannot be revoked, they insist that total closure of roads should be avoided but that if there is closure, it should in no case exceed two consecutive hours.
The signatories include the environmentalists GOB, the Alternativa per Pollença, the Arran radical youth organisation, and the Indignats de la MA-10 (the residents in the Tramuntana who have been affected by illegal races in the mountains).
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Tristan SmithI live right beside one of the routes where the 312 is taking place. It's not true the police "they are standing around for days". All the cyclists from other countries need somewhere to live, somewhere to eat and drink. So I'm sure the local economy benefits from the cyclists. Please note I do not cycle nor does any of my family.
PepeI'm sure the hotels, licensed short term rentals, restaurants and coffe shops are happy. But it's ok for the Spanish, no actually not even Spanish, only Mallorquins to ride the bikes but no others?! What a peculiar attitude.
AmbergrilloAnything else to complain about? This is one day in the year. How is it interfering in your DAILY life? Are you complaing of all the cruise ships, clogging up everyday in Palma? I live where the 312 pass by. I really don't find it a problem. It calls planning of my life. Try it.
Tawny2 abreast, except for some areas around Bunyola, where it is single file. Blocks of two are easier to overtake safely, than the same number in single file. The problem is very rarely resident cyclists, however. Police restricting max. numbers in a single group might help, say to 10-12.
Cancel it, and all such large events that interfere with daily life on the island. The Island is just to small and overcrowded for such events. For the people living here, it's just a pain in the butt.
They don't like tourists, they don't like cars and now they don't like bikes. This race is ONE day of the 365 days in a year. What's next too many walking ruining the woodland? And to Pepe. If only local can do the event, you mean no roads need to be closed and no police needs to be around?
The 312 is a great event. Widely renowned in the cycling world, a bucket list event for many. It’s the reason many cyclists come to Mallorca - either to train or to race. Same with the Ironman 70.3 in Alcudia in May - biggest Ironman event in Europe. Ive done both many times and they are amazing events, well run and a great showcase of what the island has to offer. But, these events do come at some cost to local residents for two saturdays just two weeks apart - mainly traffic disruption. Mallorca must decide which parts of the wide tourism spectrum they want to be targeting. The athletes and their families who come for these events, or just to train in the period March / April and May spend more than the average tourists on “all inclusive” package holidays. Plus, they don’t cause any drunken debauchery. All this at a relatively quiet time of the tourism season. Will the tourism industry be glad to lose a major part of this segment if the 312 and Ironman are cancelled?? The government and the voters must decide - how many tourists are wanted and in which segments? All tourists come with an impact on our island - is two saturdays of disruption for these two very high profile events worth the benefits that accrue from our “athlete tourism” in March/April and May??? You can’t have your cake and eat it, cancel the events and gradually the “athlete tourism” will whither and die.
The roads around Sineu were closed in January and will be again tomorrow for 5 hours! (Which probably means 8 hours by the time police take the cordons down!) Both for cycling events! Its a real nuisance and doesn't benefit this area. I do agree with winter tourism and cycling holidays, but think they should have restrictions on what roads they can use when riding in pelatons. Also, what IS the road rule? So many ride 2 or 3 abreast but surely when cars are trying to pass they should be single file?!? Especially if the cyclists are travelling up hill or much slower than cars can. The funny thing is though, that if we were told that every Sunday morning was now going to be cycle morning and certain roads will be closed, we would soon get used to it and find alternative routes. Human nature is a funny thing.
Why not ban the sale of razors in Mallorca throughout April.
So with Fornalutx residents banned even from circulating on the peripheral roads of the new Sóller ZBE, during the closure of the MA10 there is NO WAY to get to Sóller or even Palma for school, shopping, appointments or in an emergency on race day, short of walking?