Many choose the bike as a means of transportation to travel on public roads. It is cheap, comfortable and, due to its small size, easily transportable. It is for this last of its qualities that the bicycle is also one of the least visible types of transport for other users and therefore more vulnerable.
Knowing the traffic rules and signs well and complying with the aforementioned will help us avoid many accidents. However, that does not mean that we should not be aware of what we do as cyclists. We continue to use a vehicle, even if it does not have an engine and, therefore, it is imperative to adapt to the regulations of the road. In case of negligence on our rolling bipeds, the country’s authorities can fine us with various economic sanctions.
breathalyzer controls
Like motor vehicles, cyclists are not allowed to circulate exceeding the permitted level of alcohol. And like the rest, they must submit to breathalyzer tests in case an agent requires it. The fines are the same as for drivers in general and based on the same rates, which includes transportation service professionals (for example, riders from companies like Glovo, Uber Eats, etc.)
- 500 euro fine: between 0.26 mg/l and 0.50 mg/l of expired air or between 0.16 mg/l and 0.30 mg/l for professionals.
- Fine of 1,000 euros: more than 0.50 mg/l or well more than 0.30 mg/l in the case of professionals.
And what is the penalty for refusing to take alcohol tests? Again, the same as for the rest of motorists, despite being a very serious infraction, in his case the generic sanction is not applied but a fine of 1,000 euros. Can it be a crime? No. All traffic offenses included in the Penal Code are related to drivers of motor vehicles or mopeds, not being the case of bicycles. That means they can’t withdraw points.
Other fines you can receive as a cyclist
Since it is a vehicle also subject to regulations, there are multiple obligations and recommendations that must be met.
Observe carefully which road we are going to join before starting the march. If, on the other hand, you join the road in a dangerous way, you can receive a fine of 200 euros.
Respect traffic signs: traffic lights and all vertical signs (stop, give way, speed limits…) are for all drivers, including cyclists. Skipping a red light is punishable by a fine of between 150 and 500 euros.
Using the cellphone while driving with one hand or having the headphones on. sanction of 200 euros.
Listen to music with helmets (using a player or similar) while in circulation carries a fine of 200 euros.
Go without lights when you have to: i.e. at night or through underpasses and tunnels. Both front and back must be worn when necessary, or if they cannot be applied 200 euros of fine.
Do not give way at a zebra crossing: Cyclists riding on the road must stop at a marked crosswalk and when turning to enter another road when there are pedestrians crossing, even if there is no crosswalk. 200 euros if you fail to comply and they hunt you down.
Not respecting the priority at an intersection: a cyclist has priority over motor vehicles when traveling on a bike lane, a cycle path or on a properly marked hard shoulder. In the rest of the cases, the priority of passage is established by the Traffic regulations. Same as previous case, 200 euros of fine.
Not signaling a manoeuvre: every cyclist is obliged to signal each maneuver he makes, for example, turns, a change of direction or lane. They must be done with both arms, as specified by the highway code. It is not finable.
If you take a passenger,cannot exceed seven years of age. To do this, you must sit in an approved additional seat and always with a driver of legal age. A comply with that standard are 100 euro fine.
Not wearing the helmet when it is mandatory: in the city, this rule is mandatory for those under 16 years of age, and outside the city, for the bulk of cyclists. Are 200 euros fine not to.
Do not get off the bike in a crosswalk: in case you are going to cross a zebra crossing, since they are exclusively for pedestrians, you have to get off the saddle and cross it on foot. 100 euros of penalty.
Do not ride on the shoulder when possible: As long as a road (be it a county road, dual carriageway or motorway) has a passable shoulder, cyclists are obliged to ride on it. Also, as long as there is a segregated lane, they will have to drive through it. If you don’t, you can be fined 200 euros.
wear reflective clothing in cases where it is mandatory to turn on the lights, to be distinguished 150 meters away. Not wearing it is penalized with 80 euros.
Cyclists can ride rows of two on open track, as close as possible to the right of the road. In sections without visibility, such as curves and when they form crowds, they may not circulate in parallel and must be placed in a row. Failure to comply with this rule is sanctioned with 100 euros.
Source: DGT