Girona’s New Cycling Rules: Avoid These Costly Mistakes
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- Be aware of the new rules in Girona. web.girona.cat...
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Glad that I stumbled onto your video! Heading to Girona in a few months to ride. I’m glad to hear and see how to get around and not annoy the locals or get a fine! Thanks!
Thanks for the heads up. I’m cycling to Girona from France and will be there on Monday evening!
We should get a coffee while you're in town.
@@PathLessPedaledTV Do you have a way I can contact you to arrange? I’ve tried several times to give you my email
Address but each time RUclips deletes my comment.
@@jollygoodvelo are you on instagram? I'll message you there.
Great video. Easy to understand for anyone who has been there previously, Easy to follow local laws wherever you visit.
Thanks. Good video. I stayed at a hotel across the river at the red bridge. I realize now that I was going the wrong way when I went to go to my hotel. Agree with you that it is easy to just go around. I just didn’t know better.
One thing you didn't mention is if you ride on a sidewalk you can be fined. So I think when you rode over the foot bridge that could have cost you 200 euros.
good info! the cyclists beware title had me afraid that they were doing something more drastic. there’s no chance i’d be able to afford to pay a fine like that on the spot, but otherwise the rule seems pretty reasonable. i can imagine walking my bike if i *really* had to go the wrong way
As a new resident to Girona? A very belated congrats… When I visited in October, I didn’t want to leave… I’ve been researching the process of moving there… 🙌🏽🍻
Good on you for making this! I think you should repackage it with a new thumbnail that isn't so much of a WARNING, but more of a guide. Then you should print a QR code that links to it on some flyers and leave them in the major cycling cafes. La Fabrica in particular needs this because when you come out of that little ally and turn left you're immediately at risk of breaking the rules, and it's not clear.
Good video. Was there in September and must admit I didn’t read the signs and got abuse! Will be more aware next time.
Thanks for showing me all the rules I broke 😂. In Girona 2 weeks w family this summer and loved it. Did get pulled over and ticketed by cops....but not downtown. Fairplay to them for enforcing the rules.
Huge thanks for showing this route around the Nexus of downtown! That right turn when you pass, eat sleep was the one that I didn't do, otherwise flow around is pretty straightforward.
Girona is awesome, but so are a lot of areas of Spain. Love the people and landscape.
I visited Girona twice last year and I rarely cycled around the old town. I generally started and ended my rides at Eat Sleep Cycle, they make great coffee. I would head for roads that led out of town as quickly as possible, I hate mingling with pedestrians.
@@neilt Aaaaahhh… Cycling is about coffee… Now i understand…
Yup… I ended up spending more time in and around Banyoles just for the convenience… 🍻
Good video. We visit girona a ton to ride. I don’t have an issue with this at all and think it’s a good idea. Those aren’t the roads you came to ride anyway
I'm not so sure I would want to ride there unless I really had to.
A little courtesy to pedestrians goes a long way! We'd have so much more solidarity about shared streets if more of us rode with more chill through busy pedestrian areas (or even just crosswalks). All it takes is some consciousness about personal space, yours and everyone else's.
Great advice for visitors 👍
Going cycling in Girona is like climbing in Chamonix or holidaying in Faliraki. The valley next door is the place to go.
I would probably avoid areas like that altogether if I was in Girona, but it's good info for people that live there or want to do a scenic tour of the Barri Vell
This looks quite similar to trying to ride through Amsterdam or Utrecht Center, not a great idea and a lot of locals avoid it if they can because there's so many people walking. There are a few places you're technically not supposed to cycle in Amsterdam or Utrecht, but there's very little irritation with cyclists, especially foreign cycling tourists in comparison to Girona. Cycling is so much more normal and for getting around town in the Netherlands which I think helps.
Thanks for the heads up - we usually walk on that side of town, but ride our bikes on the other side simply because there are so many pedestrians and steep hills by the cathedral and city walls. Girona is the only place we have found bergamot flavoured gelato- it's heaven!
Honestly riding through that lot looks like a nightmare which I would avoid like the plague.
Streets so narrow and crowded with people literally call for some regulation. While cyclist myself I passionately hate idiots on bikes and scooters flying at very close distances. Guys, get a life and use bike appropriately. Crowded places aren't pista or strada. Don't become lite versions of motorists being disrespectful of pedestrians. I just don't get what they mean by "you cannot cycle on pavement", what does THAT means?
Pavement = sidewalk
@@frankboyer1490 I was suspecting they mean sidewalk but not sure as pavement in my book is something on road, be it tarmac, concrete or gravel. Thanks for clearing this.
Where I live adults must cycle on street only, sidewalk can be cycled only by those up to 14 y.o. and adults with them.
@@event4216 British English as mentioned. Mingling with pedestrians is not great in general if you can help it, but there are definitively places where it's absolutely fine, *if keeping to low/walking speed*.
@@AG-el6vt That's right. I have shared bike/pedestrian path near home, like 1km long from main street, which I use when returning home and deliberately go slowly to cool down.
I really understand people in Griona wanting visitors following the rules, but I must admit it is really inconvinient when you get a coffe in the morning at mafia and then you have to walk your bike to eat sleep cycle for the group ride or you go the full loop. Also 200€ fine is really harsh.... 50€ should be harsh enough to not do it twice
Nice one Russ!
Could you do something on good places to to stay?
i.e. Affordable and cycling friendly, as opposed to five star.
And maybe offer some idea of what it might cost a two-wheeled visitor to spend a week in sunny Girona, assuming they don't get fined!
Cheers
I’ve lived in Girona and I am a cyclist. A minority of cyclists behaviour has brought this on. Please abide by the rules.
I liked your Montana videos but this was fascinating. Besides the bike regulations I kept thinking about that steel framed bike and those alt bars just soaking up street chatter.
I'm rethinking my idea of a new 700c aluminum bike to steal and 650b with alt bars.
Oh man, looks like I unknowingly broke the rules. At least I now know for next time 🙏👍
look I am mediterranean spanish and I live in a very similiar town south. they just made the historical city center peatonal or walkable for people that lives there and visitors. Avoid using your bicycle that particular area or any small town as much as you can. Locals do not enjoy to be harrased by bicycles everywere when they are working or living their lives. that is the most polite thing you can do. just enjoy the cafes and your time there. You have hundreds of cycling areas, routes or clubs to experiece outside the city center. Also it makes common sense following traffic signals. Most of our mediterranean cities are pretty much the same. About tourismfobia, we have a problem with massive british, northen eurpean and american very disrespectul people that makes local people life very difficult. Don´t get me wrong is not your case. Just explaining.
Perfect video !! thanks !!
Just a slight inconvenience getting out for a quick ride while living on Rambla. Guess I’ll have to replace my cleats more often haha
Sounds like if you respect the direction of traffic and signs it is pretty easy. That's how it should always be, isn't it.
I was there in the 80s and it wasn’t my favorite place in Europe just walking was harder than I thought it should have been like Italy.
it’s totally different city nowadays
I appreciate your showing us this, Russ, and I understand it and maybe e-bikes are the filthiest of all? Not the bikes themselves but the riders who are more lazy moped dudes than true cyclists. Plus, and it hurts me to say this, but freestyle BMX riders do us no favors and those are my original people but the scraping and bashing of handrails and fixtures has always freaked me out and I say that as one who used to wheelie between cars at lights on a beach cruiser and the whole bit on BMX bikes in downtown Frankfurt decades ago. It was always no touching and good thing, too, as no way did have the money to fix a Benz or BMW, lol.
Lovely to see the downtown is so traffic free.
I notice you didn’t use your bell to let pedestrians in the road know you’re coming up behind them. Are bike bells considered rude?
Pedestrians have right of way so it'd be considered rude
Bell is sending signal "cyclist behind" but then most of pedestrians start to make sudden moves making things worse. Better just pass pedestrian on street not too close and not too fast. Speaking to someone blocking road is better than bell, in my opinion, more human approach instead of imitating car horn.
@@event4216 Yes!
It's mandatory to have a bell on your bike. 200euro fine.
Mandatory to have bell or to use it?
This pushback on tourism is not just in Girona. Most heavily touristed areas of Spain are pushing back on the scourge of excess tourism. I live on Mallorca and the people here have had enough of the package holiday hordes clogging our streets and country roads. More tourists is not always good, enough is enough - so the government is taking steps to actively reduce the numbers and shift away from the bottom end of the tourust spectrum.
It’s good news if your government is acting on behalf of the local residents. Out of interest how are cyclists visiting viewed by the locals? I’ve always wanted to come and cycle in Mallorca, but I don’t want to do that if the residents see cyclists as a problem.
@petermyers4409 Mallorca loves cyclists. It's a very popular sport among the locals, consequently they treat cyclists with great respect on the roads.
The tourists they hate most are the cruise ship visitors and the next hated are the package tourists who rent a car and clog the roads and take up all the parking spaces.
@ thanks
Foreigners have the problem that the cultures they visit must adapt to them and not the other way around.
Spanish people, as friendly as they come, are tired of drunken tourists, uneducated and disrespectful tourists, etc., etc., even with the traffic rules in Girona, in this case.
The solution is easy. Are you going to Spain on holiday? Learn Spanish, first of all. Respect their culture, traditions, their people and their laws and you will have everything from them.
Because the Spanish are a kind, friendly and welcoming people. I tell you from my own experience.
Do the opposite and as in any other country they will give you their medicine.
Generally Catalan spoken in Girona....but quite often will switch into Spanish if speaking to outsiders..went to get fingerprinted last week there,and even one of Police nacional switched into Catalan for me ...a bit of both useful..
Is it ok to skateboard in the opposite direction? (like the one did at 8:19)
Great video. Don’t assume that we all know where Girona is. This is the first I’ve ever heard of it
I was holidaying in Brittany last week on the bike and checked the rules/regs before I left uk.
Interestingly if you fail to observe the rules if you are a qualified driver you will be treated by the police and courts exactly the same as a motor vehicle driver.
Drivers are extremely courteous to cyclists, without exception. In the city of Rennes there were hundreds if not thousands of bikes, cargo bikes, electric bikes, and electric scooters. All we’re getting on harmoniously. Considerable bike infrastructure.
Cars give way to bikes and pedestrians.
Bikes give way to pedestrians.
It seems to work very well.
Sounds like a nice place to visit must take a trip sometime.
Then you should come to Strasbourg ! That's the bike capital of France
@@TheTourtopoulais Didn’t know that. I might just do that. Love cycling. Love good infrastructure and polite interaction. Thank you.
I have zero issue with respecting the local regulations of anywhere especially regarding pedestrian and cycling. Pity the obvious dislike for tourists after so many years of injecting money into the economy. Tourism has become much higher in numbers the last ten years in Spain so I do see issues with that so maybe a visa that limits return in a set time will happen.
Pretty discouraging “Big Hammer” approach to this cycling traffic issue. Two hundred Euro fine, on the spot (or what? Jail?). Guess this is how they discourage tourists. It’s working with us. Well done Gerona.
It’s a traffic law. If you drove down the wrong way in a car you’d expect a ticket 🤷🏽♂️
@@PathLessPedaledTV Are you really equating a bike with a car and a ticket with an immediate $200 on spot (or else) fine?
@@gkunz3 Yes. Its a traffic law. Like getting fined for jaywalking.
Hey what are these handlebars tho?
Seems like a better environment to just walk.
We usually park outside the neighborhood and just walk.
I was in Girona back in 2002 outside a travel shop waiting to sort out a quick trip to Andorra and do some boarding. Anyways the cops turned up,asked me to empty my pockets, then proceeded to empty a good 20g of primo down the drain. On the flip side I can't complain about the local court system!!
You got lucky. Possession of drugs for personal consumption has been legal in Spain for decades, but the amount considered "personal" vs "dealing" is at the discretion of the cops. They could have arrested you if they felt like it.
@@Frostbiker coffee and Madeleines for breakfast....
Russ, do you still have your titanium bike?
Sold it. Internal routing bothered me too much.
Thanks, good to know if I go back. I stayed on Bonaventura when I was there last October and, based on your video, spent at least half the time riding in the wrong direction.
It looks so nice there. Not too crowded, beautiful and peaceful streets. No cars, no Ford F-250s or the “people” who drive them.
That being said, I think I’ll just respect the wishes of the locals and not visit.
Pretty sure most of the negativity is Lycra related, that hate transcends continents.
Which bike are you riding here, and what are the handlebars?
So much fun Girona! hahaha :(
I know. It’s terrible. Don’t come.
@@PathLessPedaledTV already talking like a local.
I never had a problem with the bikes on Barri Vell. Electric scooters however...
Whats with the old man noise at 3:42?
So there’s no way a tourist would know these idiosyncrasies… Is that the idea? Get them going the wrong way and give them a fine?
@@TheRickurbUnless I’m mistaken, while it looked a little chaotic and confusing, the rule basically seemed to be follow the flow of vehicular traffic and watch for signs as far as permitted use in various areas.
it's cause I'm old :)
@@hippiebits2071 Russ did take the time to make a video to show the proper route, so it's probably not that intuitive
@@PathLessPedaledTV I have socks older than you
E bikes?
I honestly don't understand why cyclists flock to be around crowds other cyclists. Especially not to that extent. So many options.
So you can walk your bike up those sets?
Yes
As a European (Italian who grew up in Switzerland) I can tell Girona locals got enough with the overly crowded cycling community.this seam very expensive :( . Great work sharing man. Can’t help feeling it’s a bummer:(
Thats silly cataluña for you, for all those defenders out there.
I wonder if you realize that it is not obvious to everyone which country this is.
Even to people living there :)
Let me see if I've got this right. Sea Otter is inviting cycling enthusiasts, but Girona is punishing them? 🤔😆
Sea Otter is inviting responsible cycling enthusiasts
I completely agree with both of you. Just interjecting a bit of humor.
Wasn't that skateboarder going the wrong way on sidewalk? Beautiful streets. What time of day was it?
What if you walk the bike through the no biking areas? Will you still get the fine?
No.
Don’t see the problem. Cyclists and pedestrians don’t mix well as I have personally discovered. If one likes cycling why would you complain about an extra few kms to get somewhere. 🤷♂️
close ups of the signs might be good for us confused tourists
I did do a close up of the sign. I also linked to the map in the description with more info.
You are living in a heaven, you know that eh
Spain better figure out that tourism is all they have going for themselves.
Girona is very over-rated.
You’re right. Spread the word!
The bike nerd in me wants to build up an S&S ss/fixed gear to travel and wander around that city for a while.
Gee, I would hate that. Lots of confusing rules and restrictions are the last thing I want when I’ve gone somewhere to relax. I’ll go somewhere else, which I guess is what they want in any case.
Good, you should. It’s not at all confusing if you can read.
Xenophobia growing again in Europe. Still, fewer cars in the cores of cities is a good thing.
It's not xenophobia, lol.
It's really not xenophobia at all, and it's not just Girona that's suffering from overtourism either.
Spanish Karen’s…. Who knew? That said, some of this is likely merited or beneficial from a safety perspective…
I can't see anything that would support the title cycling paradise. I think it's a mess.
I'm just on a trip thru northern Italy. Lago Maggiore - Ferrara (city of bicycles) and back. More or less any normal city in Italy has this better. Mostly cyclists are allowed any direction, one way streets with ecetto bicicletta signs everywhere and if there is no space, you drive slowly or walk.
If there are no ecetto bicicletta signs, everybody does it anyway and nobody cares. I wasn't in Venice tho, this is a big exception, no bikes allowed at all.
You’re right. It’s terrible. Speed the word.
Do you really think people go to cycle through the city? DH
Spain voting against tourists is like turkeys voting v for Xmas
So did Venice. Too much is too much. People live there and not all tourists realise that.
We have the same problem here in Belgium, at times.
Huh? It's not against tourists, it's for a better balance between them and locals.
Tourists tend to think that tourism is Spain's main industry, but that is very far from the truth. Look up some data when you get the chance.
@@Frostbiker 10% of all employment and 13% of GDP, the country’s main productive sector apparently.
@@frankboyer1490 the tourists go home signs sort of says it all, the Greeks are happy though, they will take all the money.
Girona is NOT a heaven. Not for cyclists, nor for anyone else. It’s the most overrated, overhyped destination EVER. Been there and it was hell to ride my bike through the busy city and the yes… full size interstate MOTORWAYS !! It’s okay if you book a hotel downtown and stay there but for cyclists it is completely bonkers to go there. Stupid actually.
You're right. Don't come. Spread the word.
Could not disagree more. Thousands of tourists and hundreds of pros agree with me.
@@Bruceridesbikes shhhh
@@Bruceridesbikes Dude… Go look up some real climbs in the Wikipedia ! Els Angels 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
@@Check-it-out Exhibit A - Rocacorba, Exhibit B - Mare de du del Mont, Exhibit C - Valter 2000. Cheap, great food and coffee, great roads in good condition with little traffic. I love the place, despite living on the other side of the world. Never ridden on a motorway in the whole area as I didn't need to.
Damn, this is useless info, but I still enjoyed it. Do the Camino de Santiago straight from your area on bikes, make it happen.
Useless? I just saved you 200 bucks.
How is it useless?
@@frankboyer1490 I mean, for 99,99999% of the audience who shall never bike through Girona. As a side note, I so wish to return to Spain with bicycle sometime, but with the aim to avoid these tourist hot spots on the east coast, and especially the famed cyclist meccas like Girona, since being well informed by this channel of the mildly elitist road cycling culture there;)
@@michaljambor7772 So you're looking to say, "I'm not the target audience but I still enjoyed it", not useless. Even the ones not passing through Girona could find the info helpful since the rules are similar to what other places are doing, which is reminding non-locals to be respectful and mindful of the area and its customs. Tourists have been acting way too entitled, especially in recent years.
so many babes!
Ew.