Please Balears
  • CatalàEspañol
Please Balears Associations Palma Balears, Illes
  1. Please Balears

Mallorca's roads register a cyclist accident every four days 19/04/2020

On Mallorca's roads, an accident involving cyclists occurs every four days. According to data from the Directorate General of Traffic, 31 accidents involving cyclists have taken place so far in 2019. It is worth noting that no cyclists have lost their lives on the roads in the first four months of this year, compared to four fatalities during the same period in 2018. (From mallorcadiario.com )   We have spoken with Víctor Tascón, director of the platform for Understanding, Kindness and Safety on the Road (Please).

Every year, hundreds of accidents involving cyclists occur on Mallorca's roads. In 2018, more than   300 accidents . In 85 percent of the cases, the cyclists were not at fault. Now, with the arrival of Holy Week, it is logical to think that more accidents may occur. “March and April, with Holy Week in between, is always a very delicate time because   The number of cyclists arriving in Mallorca is very high . We must never let our guard down, but during this Easter period we need to be even more vigilant,” says Tascón.

Mallorca has roads of all types, some very well adapted with routes for cycling tourists, and others, like the one that connects Puigpunyent with Orient, are in a high state of disrepair, increasing the risk of accidents. Furthermore, not only is the condition of the road important, but also good signage. “We have to remember that many road users in Mallorca are not locals and that they must be   properly informed of the risks they face at any given time . If we added the excellence of our roads to the island's favorable climate and conditions, we would achieve a differentiating effect that would be very beneficial for everyone, not just cyclists.”

The Please Platform believes that a   Informational and ongoing training efforts are crucial , as this could prevent some of the infractions committed, especially by cyclists. “I’m sure that many of the infractions cyclists commit are due to a lack of knowledge. All drivers of motor vehicles have passed a test. They know the rules. In the case of cyclists, anyone can go out on the road. Luckily, many of them are also drivers and know what they’re up against. But there are cases where that’s not the case. And unfortunately, the price paid for an accident is very high.”

Tascón asks that this Easter, drivers respect the 1.5-meter distance rule when overtaking cyclists. He also asks cyclists to use the shoulders of the road, wear light-colored or fluorescent clothing, refrain from using mobile phones or headphones, and always wear helmets. “ If we can all comply with the rules, coexistence on the roads will be possible,” he said.   And at the end of the day, we will all have arrived at our destination safely.”

The Cycling Road Safety Commission of the Consell de Mallorca has agreed on several measures to improve cyclist safety on the island's roads. Among these measures is urging rental companies to install lights on the rear of their vehicles. While not currently mandatory, this is highly recommended to enhance visibility.

 https://www.mallorcadiario.com/las-carreteras-de-mallorca-registran-un-accidente-de-ciclistas-cada-cuatro-dias