Mallorca is part of Spain and therefore all road safety regulations in force in the country must be followed.

The island has a long and rich history of cycling and unlike other countries, we are lucky to have drivers who respect cyclists.

Here is a guide to the laws and regulations in force that, like any other driver, cyclists must know and respect:

Using a mobile phone or headphones is prohibited as it can reduce your ability to pay attention and hear and we already know that this can lead to fatal accidents that nobody wants. Also, if the police find you with your mobile phone or headphones on while cycling, this can cost you up to €200.

It is advisable, although not obligatory, to signal if you are going to brake suddenly. This is signalled by moving your arm up and down with quick movements.

It is advisable to use the bike lanes whenever they are available. For your own safety and that of others.

You cannot ride a bike under the influence of alcohol. The alcohol limits are the same for car drivers as for cyclists. The maximum permitted blood alcohol level is 0.5g/l. Cyclists are required to take a breathalyzer test if stopped by the police. If you are found under the influence of alcohol on a bicycle, the fine ranges from 500 to 1000 euros depending on the level.

When riding a bicycle, it is permitted to carry a passenger but only up to 7 years of age and in an approved seat provided the driver is of legal age. Carrying a minor inappropriately on a bicycle can cost you around 100 euros.

Lights are mandatory when you go out at night or if you are going through a dark area such as a tunnel. Cyclists must make themselves visible at all times and be able to see and be seen. Failure to use lights properly results in a fine of 200 euros.

Pedestrians always have priority at pedestrian crossings. When a cyclist is about to cross a pedestrian crossing, he or she must always give way to pedestrians who are about to cross the road. Failure to do so will result in a fine of 200 euros.

Cyclists have priority when they are on a bicycle lane. In other situations, cyclists must respect the priorities of other road users. Failure to respect the right of way can result in a fine of 200 euros.

Groups of cyclists at roundabouts have priority, all of them, from the first to the last, as well as at other intersections. This only applies if the first cyclist in the group has already entered the roundabout or intersection.

When entering a roundabout, cyclists, like any other vehicle driver, must observe the road they are about to cross and confirm that there are no other vehicles before entering the roundabout. Under no circumstances should they enter the roundabout or cross the road in a way that endangers anyone's physical health. Cycling group leaders, in particular, should be aware of these rules. Entering a roundabout or road in a dangerous manner can cost a 200 euro fine.

Mallorca is a dream destination for cyclists from all over the world. Its landscapes, wide variety of routes and good weather attract thousands of cyclists every year to enjoy this destination in the middle of the Mediterranean that offers a great experience for lovers of this sport. However, as anywhere, there is always the possibility of unexpected events, especially during bike rides, you know, mechanical issues, breakdowns that are difficult to repair, injuries… To reduce these risks and guarantee a worry free experience on two wheels, Mallorca Bike Rescue insurance is presented as the ideal solution for cyclists visiting the island.

What is Mallorca Bike Rescue?

Mallorca Bike Rescue is a roadside rescue insurance service designed specifically for cyclists traveling to Mallorca. This insurance provides rescue coverage in case your bike or body breaks down and prevent you from continuing your ride. Mallorca Bike Rescue focuses on offering immediate assistance, picking you up wherever you are and taking you to the nearest bicycle workshop or to your hotel. This way, you don't have to worry about calling a taxi, which can be quite expensive and difficult in Mallorca, especially in the mountains, or thinking about how to get out of trouble and get back to your hotel without depending on anyone. This way, you can enjoy your adventure with complete peace of mind knowing that, in case of inconvenience, you will have a way to get back to your hotel.

Coverage and Benefits

Roadside Assistance:

Mallorca Bike Rescue guarantees roadside assistance 7 days a week. Whether you suffer a fall or have an unexpected mechanical problem, the service is available to provide help and pick you up wherever you are.

Rescue and Transport:

In the event of an accident or mechanical failure that prevents you from continuing and does not require medical assistance, the insurance covers the costs of rescue and transport of the bicycle and the cyclist to the nearest repair point or to your hotel.

Repair:

Mallorca Bike Rescue will take you to the nearest workshop to where you are so that you can repair your bike immediately and get back to ride.

Multilingual Service:

As Mallorca welcomes international cyclists, the service is available in multiple languages to facilitate communication and ensure that all users receive the help they need.Insuring your cycling trips with Mallorca Bike Rescue is an investment in peace of mind and security, allowing you to explore the island's charms with confidence and without worry. Get ready to pedal down the roads of Mallorca knowing that, at any time, you are backed by the best roadside rescue insurance available!

Why miss out on the even quieter roads? One of the most common Mallorca cycling mistakes is to sleep late and not make the most of those perfect mornings. Even during the peak seasons it is still possible to have the roads to yourself if you are out and about before 9 in the morning. This is especially relevant on the busier routes like Cap Formentor or Sa Calobra before the traffic builds up.

Not carrying a form of photo ID. Spanish law requires all persons, whether resident or tourists to carry photo ID at all times. The police are within their rights to fine you for failing to comply.

Treating the road surfaces as you do in your home country. Here, the surfaces are wonderfully smooth, but have a higher granite content to help deal with the hot weather. This sometimes makes the roads slippery especially if there is moisture about. Take a little extra care when cycling in Mallorca and you will be able to appreciate how brilliant the roads are without getting a too close look at how good they are! Leave the mountains for a dry day, there are over 308 of them each year!

Not riding the best cycle route in Mallorca. The coastal and forest route from Andratx back to Pollença or Pollença back to Andratx is pure joy. If this was the only cycle route you could ride for the rest of your life, on every occasion it would still be an absolute pleasure. Oodles of beautiful scenery, leg challenging climbs and excellent cafés to keep you busy whether you choose the 115km or right up to the 162km distance route. Tough but absolutely brilliant. You won’t regret it.

A common Mallorca cycling mistake is to avoid this ride for fear of not being fit enough. If this is you then get training and get yourself fit for the occasion! You will be thrilled you did!

Not riding out to Cap Formentor.

Regularly ranked in the top 20 routes in the world, this very scenic and slightly hilly ride out to the lighthouse on the most northern point of Mallorca is excellent. Use it as a first day or a last day ride, as a leg loosener or as a reason to come up from where you are staying in the South. Any reason will do.. If you have the legs, take the extra spin up to Talaia d’Albercutx for views including Formentor (and on clear days as far as Barcelona).

If you are staying too far from Cap Formentor, then organise a bike shuttle to get you there or see here for scheduled shuttles from the South of the island.

Not riding Sa Calobra.

This world class climb is a must do for any keen road cyclist and whether you choose to ride there and back or take the Sa Calobra Express one way to conquer this Cat 1 mountain with fresh legs for a PB, just ensure you do it. This climb is reason enough to come cycling in Mallorca in the first place, and will stay in your memory for years, whether that recollection will be for the winding road and scenery or for the achievement probably depends on your fitness. If you have completed Sa Calobra previously and would like to add some extra sting to the legs and additional beauty for the eyes then consider adding Cala Tuent into your day. It’s a truly stunning add on diversion.

Forgetting to buy bike rescue.

Sh*t happens, usually at the least opportune time. When bike or body break down, Mallorca Bicycle Rescue saves you time and frustration by getting you speedily back to where you are staying or to the nearest bike shop, your choice. Murphy’s law and all that. Don’t be that person that holds up the group – everyone’s time here is as precious as yours.

Forgetting to wear sunscreen

Chances are very high that you are going to spend a lot of time outdoors whilst you are here. The amazing routes, surfaces and climbs make sure of that. With an average of 308 sunny days a year beating down onto your skin, it deserves to be protected. 30% of visiting cyclists have some sort of heat stroke during their trip out here, so it is worth taking care to limit your downtime. You should take regular cafe stops to hydrate, fuel and apply sunscreen.

Riding too much on the first days.

Pace yourself and have recovery rides between the big ride days. It is very common to see riders with ‘Mallorca fever’ (caused by great weather, smooth and car free roads) overdoing it when they first arrive and not being able to ride much in the second half of their stay. More café stops it is then🙂

Drinking too much alcohol.

Warm sun, nice terrace, cheap prices, brilliant day out, time with your mates.. Ice cold beer and great gin and tonics are perfect for rehydrating, or so we like to believe! Moderation is key as you may regret having overdone it the next day when your rise and shine wake up alarm rings out to tell you that it’s time for another day of riding in the glorious sunshine. Too much alcohol and your cycling holiday can easily become a ‘wish I had been able to cycle more holiday’!

Thinking cheaper is always better.

Paying extremely low prices and expecting amazing service or accommodation is unfortunately not going to happen. There are hundreds of brilliant sustainable businesses here that charge fair prices for excellent services and accommodation, you will be better off using one of them. Fair does not mean expensive!

Riding on pavements and walkways.

Pavements and walkways are only for pedestrians. There are about 10 000km of smooth roads on the island, your bike is better suited to enjoying rolling on those.

Riding the wrong way on the Alcudia to Port de Pollenca cycle track.

The red cycle path along the coastline from Alcudia to Port Pollenca is one way towards the port. There are huge white painted arrows on the path every 5m showing this (although the signage as you leave the port is somewhat confusing as it goes from a blue cycle path in both directions to one way when it turns red). There is plenty of room on the other correct side of the road, use it rather than being the one causing the accidents. Safer for you too!

Not treating local drivers with respect.

Many local drivers are cyclists themselves and are in the habit of treating cyclists with respect even though thousands of us arrive each year and clog their roads! Maybe we can all do our bit to show them equal respect?

All cyclists must wear a helmet unless they have a medical certificate stating otherwise for health reasons.

Although it is not mandatory, it is advisable to use lights during the day because it increases your visibility and reduces the risk of an accident. It is mandatory to use lights if you drive at night or in situations of poor visibility such as on rainy or cloudy days.

If you are the victim of a hit while riding a bike or witness a hit or other type of accident, the first thing you have to do is assess the damage and see if there is anyone injured who needs medical assistance. It is important that if the affected people can move, they move to the side of the road or to a safer place. If they cannot move, it is important to stop traffic until the police arrive. If medical assistance is necessary, the first thing you have to do is call 112 and ask for an ambulance and the police.It is important to gather as much information as possible about the incident, such as details of those affected and those who caused the accident. If there are vehicles involved, it is important to note down the plate number.Once the situation has passed and all those affected are safe, it will be time to contact your insurance company, if you have one and it is necessary.

You can drink tap water in Mallorca but you should be aware that it is hard water, meaning it has a high lime content. In some villages, you will find fountains in the streets where you can refill your bottles. This water is completely suitable for human consumption but it is advisable to pay attention to signs indicating the opposite.

Generally, in all towns, including the most touristy ones, there are medical centres and if you have an emergency they will attend to you. It is advisable to have health insurance or travel insurance to be covered in case of emergency and not have any bad surprises. The health centres in Mallorca are known as PACS and the public hospitals are located in: Inca, Palma and Manacor. In Playa de Muro there is a private hospital that you can go to in case of emergency and that is used to treating tourists and cyclists from the area. If you are on the street and you find yourself in an emergency situation, call 112 and they will help you. The phone works even without a signal.

The first thing to do in the event of a bicycle accident in Mallorca is to assist the injured. First, we will quickly assess the damage and if anyone requires medical assistance, we will call 112 to report what happened so that they can send the necessary ambulance and security forces. Once this has been done, it is important to keep the injured in a safe area and if they are unconscious or unable to move, it is important to place them in the safety position. While you wait for the ambulance and the security forces, it is important to gather as much information as possible about the incident, write down the license plates if there were vehicles involved and the phone numbers of those responsible and those affected by the incident. Once the ambulances and security forces arrive, you must follow their orders.

The protests against tourism are not against tourists per se. So don't worry, no one is going to attack you just for being a tourist. The fact is that mass tourism in Mallorca is getting out of control and locals are protesting to the government for the poor management of this situation as it is seriously damaging the quality of life of residents on the island and making it difficult for them to find quality housing and jobs.

So, when you come here, try to be respectful and go to local shops and restaurants instead of large chains to contribute to the local economy and be a more sustainable tourist. But in short, no, you will not have problems with the locals.

If you have booked your cycling holiday with a tour operator, they occasionally have a road assistance service. It is advisable to check your booking, because not all tour operators have this.

On the other hand, some bike rental shops offer this type of service for cyclists who have rented a bike with them. Therefore, if your bike is rented, it is advisable to ask if this service is available with your rental shop.

If you are coming alone or none of your contracted services offer this option, the best and most advisable option is to book rescue insurance. Mallorca Bike Rescue is an affordable insurance that you can pay for per day and in case of a breakdown or anything else that prevents you from continuing with your ride, they will come to pick you up wherever you are on the island and take you back to your hotel or the nearest bike shop.

If you come to Mallorca to cycle, we recommend hiring a rescue service with Mallorca Bike Rescue. It is an affordable service that can get you out of more than one trouble, such as if your bike breaks down during a ride and you can't continue. Mallorca Bike Rescue will pick you up wherever you are on the island and take you back to your hotel or the nearest bike shop, whichever you prefer. You can book it through their website.

If your bicycle is stolen in Mallorca or any other valuable item or belonging, what you have to do is go to the Guardia Civil station in the area where it was stolen and report the theft. You must file the application, give as many details as possible and be patient while the Guarda Civil does their job.

It is advisable to have home insurance or bicycle insurance just in case this could happen. It is also highly recommended to keep the purchase receipt, reference and any document or identifying image of the bicycle so that it can be helpful in the search and if you have to make a claim.

If you are robbed inside the hotel, it will depend on the situation. Generally, hotels do not take responsibility for any theft, even if it has occurred inside their establishment. The only theft they will take responsibility for is if it is stolen directly from inside the safe and they will do so based on their policies that you can find on your hotel's website.

Generally, bike-friendly hotels have a space for storing bikes where you can leave your bike and secure it with a lock. In addition, most hotels allow you to take your bike into your room. Whichever option you choose, remember to respect other people's bikes, not leave valuables on your bike such as GPS devices, shoes or bottles, and keep your lock key safe.

However, it is advisable to check with your hotel that they have these options available to ensure that you can keep your bike safe.

The roads in Mallorca are generally safer than in most countries for cycling.

Obviously you cannot ride on the motorways! Mallorcan drivers are used to sharing the roads with cyclists and are generally quite friendly and respectful towards them, but it is important for cyclists to remember to maintain a respectful attitude towards other people and vehicles on the road and to follow road safety measures.

It is important for cyclists to always ride on the right and stay to the right of the road to make it easier for larger vehicles to overtake them. It is also important for cyclists not to make unnecessary manoeuvres or overtakings that endanger the physical health of other people. Remember that you are in Mallorca enjoying a bike holiday and not competing in a race.

It is advisable that when you come you have travel insurance that covers you in all situations that may occur during your stay.

On the other hand, in Mallorca you can hire a rescue insurance for thime that your body or your bike may break down. It is cheap and very useful. This insurance, with Mallorca Bike Rescue, will pick you up wherever you are on the island and take you to your hotel or the nearest bike shop, whichever you prefer.

It is highly recommended to take out this insurance, as in Mallorca, especially in high season;

• finding a taxi can be expensive and complicated because of zoning laws
• there is a reluctance to put bikes into taxis
• they are not always available to go to any part of the island, especially in the mountains.