Cyclists who are cycling in Spain for the first time often wonder: is cycling in Spain safe? And the question that follows is: are there bike lanes? The answer is simple: there are hardly any bike lanes, and yet it is safe.
Bike Lanes
No, Spain doesn’t really have a fine network of bike lanes, although there are many initiatives in this area. Some cities give ample space to cyclists (such as Seville, Barcelona, Zaragoza, and the Basque cities, for example), but outside of these areas, you’ll only occasionally find a strip of bike lane. And that could easily end abruptly.
Quiet Roads
So, in Spain, you’ll mostly be cycling on regular roads, which you share with motorized traffic. Is that a problem? Almost never. Spain is a sparsely populated country, with some parts of the interior even experiencing depopulation. The major population centers are in the coastal areas and around the big cities inland. We’re not saying you’ll never encounter a busier stretch, but on average, the roads in the interior are very quiet. As a cyclist, you naturally prefer small roads and Vías Verdes. But even on the main roads, traffic is often light. Sometimes you’re even glad to see a car.
One and a Half Meters…
What stands out when cycling in Spain is that drivers are cautious around cyclists. We can’t speak for all 48 million Spaniards, and there are exceptions everywhere, but on average, you rarely feel unsafe as a cyclist on Spanish roads. Drivers overtaking you are required to give a one and a half meter space. Breaking this rule can result in hefty fines. What often happens is that drivers hesitate, unsure if they can give you enough space, and they’ll stay behind you for a while before deciding to pass.
The Siesta
If you have to pass through a busy area, it’s not a bad idea to do it during the siesta (between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM). Public life slows down then, and the roads become much quieter.
Deserted National Roads
In the last decades of the previous century, Spain built an impressive network of highways. Major national roads near these highways lost their purpose, with roadside restaurants and gas stations closing down, but the roads themselves are still maintained. This makes for comfortable cycling. With one exception: if the highway next to the N-road is a toll road (peaje), drivers often choose the free N-road, which can still be busy.
For Your Own Safety
A large part of your safety is, of course, in your own hands. Wear a helmet (required outside urban areas), make sure you’re visible, and don’t get distracted by your mobile phone. These simple steps will help you cycle safely and carefree through Spain.
