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Cyclists and driving

  • Thread starter Thread starter JohnE
  • Start date Start date
Interesting what you say sws - that pedestrian crossings do not mean that cyclists or vehicles have to stop for you. And that it is the pedestrian's job to make sure they will stop before stepping out onto them - how do you do that, mind reading or something?

If those are indeed the rules, then I do not really see the point in having them.
 
As we know the crossings in Spain are not the same as in England, that you must stop for someone, its not mandatory to stop for people, so you need to make sure that they are stopping for you before you walk out.
PP is not as bad as some places, we have just come back from a week In Rome, and there its 10 times worst, cars do not always stop at a pedestrian crossings even when the lights are on red and people are crossing, Sue and I were nearly taken out twice by scooters cutting around the cars who had stopped and just missing us as they went through the red lights, buses did it too if no one was crossing!

I know what you mean about Rome Sws :eek:

What concerns me is that most people won't know the different rule and may presume that if a car has stopped at a crossing it's clear to go and won't think to check the cycle lane. With the added worry of the cyclists travelling in both directions! Hopefully the amount of cyclists will be far less in the summer months and those that are there will not be trying to beat a Srava record!!!
 
Just found this :-

Pedestrian crossings are distinguished by black or red and white stripes on the road, but aren’t usually illuminated, e.g. by flashing or static lights. In towns, pedestrian crossings are usually combined with traffic lights.

Pedestrian Road Rules
Motorists are required by law to stop for a pedestrian waiting at a pedestrian crossing only if he indicates his intention to cross by giving a clear hand-signal or placing one foot on the crossing. It’s never safe to assume that you have the right of way as a pedestrian crossing in Spain, particularly in cities, where motorists are very reluctant to stop.

At a pedestrian crossing with pedestrian lights, pedestrians are supposed to wait for a green light (or green man) before crossing the road (sometimes they must press a button), irrespective of whether there’s any traffic. The green light may be accompanied by an audible signal, which may be a few short bleeps just before the light changes to red.

A blinking green light means don’t cross unless you’re already on the crossing (note that the light for motorists may change to green when you’re half way across the road even when you started to cross on a green light, so always look out for traffic). You can be fined for crossing the road at the wrong place or ignoring pedestrian lights and crossings.

Footpaths
Usually, pedestrians must share footpaths with bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, assorted animals and the occasional moped and at the same time keep an eye out for broken paving stones and open manholes and drains.

Paving stones and tiles can be slippery when wet, and in country areas many roads have loose gravel and stones on which it’s easy to lose your footing. Many towns and cities have pedestrian streets ( zona peatonal) barred to traffic and some have roads barred to pedestrians (shown by a sign).

Pedestrians must use footpaths where provided or may use a bicycle path when there’s no footpath. Footpaths are generally rare outside towns, although there may be a narrow ‘hard shoulder’. Where there’s no footpath or bicycle path, you should usually walk on the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic.

However, on narrow country roads it’s advisable to walk on the side of the road which affords the best view of oncoming traffic, as many roads have blind corners and drivers often drive close to the edge of the road at high speed

Here is the link to the source :- https://www.justlanded.com/english/Spain/Articles/Travel-Leisure/Pedestrian-Road-Rules
 
Just looked at webcam at 6.30 p.m., and 6 cyclists on cycle track, in cycle lane, half an hour after pedestrian zone started. What a waste of money that was!
 
Sorry guys, but this post is really starting to annoy/frustrate me. If you delve back to my previous posts you will see that I am a keen cyclist. I'm not a 'speedster', I'm 62 after all! But, I am also a considerate cyclist. I am also a considerate driver. For example, I would like it to be known, that I always indicate when driving, when I am about to overtake a cyclist, something that the vast majority do not do in the UK. Let's all chill out for a mo. We're all at fault at times. I come to Mallorca to have a great holiday and to enjoy my cycling. Some cyclists do not adhere to the rules. But also, some drivers to not either, and the same applies to some pedestrians. We're all in this together, so please chill out and let the likes of me get on and enjoy the 'great' side of coming here otherwise I'll call it a day and look elsewhere.
 
Just looked at webcam at 6.30 p.m., and 6 cyclists on cycle track, in cycle lane, half an hour after pedestrian zone started. What a waste of money that was!

The pedestrianized zone is nowhere near the view of the seemallorca webcam Tangoman :confused:.
 
Looked at the webcam at 09.45h, not a cyclist in sight, just a couple of pedestrians, a delivery van parked in the disabled bay and a lorry parked on the crossing :mad:........just saying ;).
 
Looked at the webcam at 09.45h, not a cyclist in sight, just a couple of pedestrians, a delivery van parked in the disabled bay and a lorry parked on the crossing :mad:........just saying ;).

Its a shame you don't let us post photos copied from the webcam, as Ive seen a few classics over the last few months. Yesterday I say two cyclists on the road and three pedestrians in the cycle lane! :)

I think I have too much time on my hands! :o
 
To cap this thread off
Be Warned Be very Afraid !!!!!
The Re-noun Artist Mr Smith from Scotland is residing in the Port for the next 3 weeks.He will be negotiating the new Roadways Cycle ways and walk ways on his
motorised Scooter so give him a wide berth . So slow down be aware and give him a wide Berth
 
Sorry guys, but this post is really starting to annoy/frustrate me. If you delve back to my previous posts you will see that I am a keen cyclist. I'm not a 'speedster', I'm 62 after all! But, I am also a considerate cyclist. I am also a considerate driver. For example, I would like it to be known, that I always indicate when driving, when I am about to overtake a cyclist, something that the vast majority do not do in the UK. Let's all chill out for a mo. We're all at fault at times. I come to Mallorca to have a great holiday and to enjoy my cycling. Some cyclists do not adhere to the rules. But also, some drivers to not either, and the same applies to some pedestrians. We're all in this together, so please chill out and let the likes of me get on and enjoy the 'great' side of coming here otherwise I'll call it a day and look elsewhere.

Jonsey, I agree, but as I mentioned before, I do think that cyclists should strictly adher to the 20 km/h limit that is imposed, or supposed to be imposed, on all motor vehicles that go along the new pedestrian road.
 
Jonsey, I agree, but as I mentioned before, I do think that cyclists should strictly adher to the 20 km/h limit that is imposed, or supposed to be imposed, on all motor vehicles that go along the new pedestrian road.

Just had a quick look at the webcam this morning and spotted a 20km speed marking in the cycle lane......is that new? I hadn't spotted it before!
 
Saw that too, appeared over the weekend I think, good idea!
 
Just had a quick look at the webcam this morning and spotted a 20km speed marking in the cycle lane......is that new? I hadn't spotted it before!

No No That refers to the maximum abreast !! :rolleyes:
 
Just looked at the webcam, and there are around 8 or 10 cyclists, but all in the cycle lane - just the one jerk on the footpath. However, I notice that, judging from his dress, that he is a local. In fact, from my experience over many years, most of the cyclists going wrong way, etc. are in fact locals! I can only suppose that they are aware that policing doesn't exist!
 
Have just been out and used the new cycle path. I have to say it was very impressive, with everybody 'behaving', whether cyclist, pedestrian. I hope I kept within the 20kph limit. I'm sure I did as my legs were tired after 3 hrs cycling! The road surface is so much smoother and safer than previous years. If there was something that I would have done differently is possibly to make the cycle path a different colour. Even though it is darker than the pedestrianised section I can quite see how people walking may 'stray across'. All that said, though, it' a good result.
 
Just returned after our two week fix and thought I'd just add to the 'cycle lane' theme. Whilst the new pedestrianised/cycle lanes are a big improvement, it does get a bit confusing when you venture away from the port and take the coastal cycle route around the bay to Alcudia. Whilst there I witnessed the local 'highway maintenance' painting large white arrows, every 40m or so, pointing towards the Port. I have to say that when I use this route I always ride towards Alcudia on the right hand side of the road, where there is also a cycle lane, all be it the same colour as the main road surface, but is does have a solid white line to segregate the two. However, on the route back to PP I ride along the 'red' lane, where in the past I've come across several cyclists coming towards me, not knowing whether to pass me on the left or right! On a couple of occasions in the past I've had to come to a standstill for fear of a collision. On speaking to a friend I found out that due to an accident a few months ago it had been decided to paint the above mentioned arrows to try and persuade cyclists to use both sides of the road when cycling the route along the bay. By the end of my stay it was quite noticeable that an increased number of bike users were now using the right hand side of the road to cycle towards Alcudia. I wonder whether they'll also paint arrows on this side, too?
 
Just returned after our two week fix and thought I'd just add to the 'cycle lane' theme. Whilst the new pedestrianised/cycle lanes are a big improvement, it does get a bit confusing when you venture away from the port and take the coastal cycle route around the bay to Alcudia. Whilst there I witnessed the local 'highway maintenance' painting large white arrows, every 40m or so, pointing towards the Port. I have to say that when I use this route I always ride towards Alcudia on the right hand side of the road, where there is also a cycle lane, all be it the same colour as the main road surface, but is does have a solid white line to segregate the two. However, on the route back to PP I ride along the 'red' lane, where in the past I've come across several cyclists coming towards me, not knowing whether to pass me on the left or right! On a couple of occasions in the past I've had to come to a standstill for fear of a collision. On speaking to a friend I found out that due to an accident a few months ago it had been decided to paint the above mentioned arrows to try and persuade cyclists to use both sides of the road when cycling the route along the bay. By the end of my stay it was quite noticeable that an increased number of bike users were now using the right hand side of the road to cycle towards Alcudia. I wonder whether they'll also paint arrows on this side, too?

We noticed this but they have not indicated that you should cross at the island where the ring road meets the Bay!!
It's very confusing as the blue cycle lane before the bridge over the torrent still has the dotted line down the centre as if two way. All very confusing with cyclists ignoring the new arrows. :eek:
I do hope they complete this work soon as it's made a bad situation worse. :(
 
Apologies - I'm a bit late to the party on this one and I cant quite visualise what the changes are since last year (if any)?
We are out in 3 weeks and always hire bikes to 'potter' between PP, Alcudia, Pollensa Old Town and Cala SV as we love the safe cycling lanes and beautiful routes.
Has something changed on the route from PP to Alcudia?
or if there is a good webcam link that I can see it from, please let me know.
cheers guys.
 
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