Valencia is the friendliest city to ride your bike in Spain, well… that’s what people say. When you read this on the internet you are expecting that you can hop on your iron friend and while cycling, enjoying this beautiful city. Although this is true, you also have to be careful because they are not as used to cyclists in Valencia as they are in the Netherlands for instance. To help you out, here are some tips about how to safely cycle in Valencia.
Safely cycle in Valencia, it is possible!
Over the years the government tried to get more bicycle paths throughout the city. At the tourist parts like the Turia park you can cycle safely because of the bicycle paths, but in the city center it’s more of a challenge since some parts still miss bicycle paths. This makes safely cycle in Valencia a challenge but with these tips you will make way!
#1 Cycle with confidence! If the bicycle path stops you are supposed to cycle on the road. Be careful while doing this because the Spaniards are not very used to groups of cyclists driving on the road. Make sure you stay as much to the right as you can to stay safe. Also, look around really good, because maybe there is a bicycle path on the other side of the street. If so, always choose the bicycle path for your own safety.
#2 Do you think it is quite scary to cycle on the road? The footpath is always an option! Hop off your bike and walk with your iron friend next to you over the footpath. In this way you aren’t an obstacle for the other pedestrians.
#3 Do you need to find your way with our good old friend Google maps? Click on the walk route! The route for cars might be faster, but if you choose that one, Google really thinks you are with a car and before you know, you will end up on the high way. Once again, make sure you hop off your bike if Google tells you to go on the sidewalks, cycling on the footpaths is illegal in Valencia.
#4 Watch out for the one-way roads. Back home you could maybe go around the car but in here you can’t. If you notice that you ended up in a one-way road look to see if you are going in the right direction. If not, step of your bike and walk for a bit on the footpath.
#5 After your safe trip, you need to park your bike. Always lock your bike really well. There are a lot of spots where you can secure your bike to a pole. If there isn’t room anymore, try to find another place. Locking your bike to a tree is illegal so please look for a parking spot as you can see on the picture above. Also, don’t secure your bike just with one lock. So, one lock for your saddle, one for your wheel in front, one for the wheel behind and one for your bike in general. Unfortunately, bikes or parts of it get stolen too often in Valencia.
As long you will follow these steps (and of course the law) you can Safely cycle in Valencia. Enjoy the adventure of tour de Valencia.