DGT Reminds Tenerife Cyclists of Safety Rules, Helmet Now Compulsory
As cycling increases in Tenerife, the DGT is reminding riders of mandatory safety rules, including lights, reflective clothing, and helmets, to enhance visibility and prevent fines.
More and more people in Tenerife are choosing bikes for their daily travel. They're an economical, sustainable, and practical way to get around, but cyclists are also very vulnerable on the road. Because of this, the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) is reminding everyone to follow the rules and take extra safety precautions.
"It's just as important to be seen as it is to see," warns the DGT. When riding at night, through tunnels, or in bad weather, your bike needs proper lights. Rules state that cyclists must be visible from at least 150 meters away.
Your bike must have these mandatory lights:
- A white front light
- A red rear light
- A red rear reflector
- White or yellow reflectors on the pedals
- White or yellow reflectors on the spokes of the wheels
All lights must be approved by the European Union. If your lights aren't good enough or aren't approved, you could face fines up to 200 euros.
Wearing reflective clothing is also compulsory on all roads, both in towns and between them. Not doing so can lead to fines of up to 100 euros.
From this year, everyone must wear an approved helmet. It's the most important piece of safety gear for cyclists. While it was already compulsory for riders under 16 on all roads, this rule now applies to all cyclists. If caught without a helmet, you could be fined up to 200 euros.
Using a mobile phone while cycling is strictly forbidden. Headphones are also not allowed. Both phones and headphones distract you and slow down your reaction time to unexpected things on the road. If you need to use your phone, you must stop riding completely. Breaking these rules can result in fines up to 200 euros.
Traffic police advise cyclists to follow these regulations to avoid fines.