Cyclist on a Valenbisi bike riding on a bike lane

Bike lanes and traffic rules

Every country has their own traffic norms, which must be respected and followed for your own safety and that of others. Here we have gathered all relevant traffic rules so that you can feel safe and avoid any fees when cycling in Valencia city.

General norms for cycling in Valencia

  • You cannot wear earphones or headphones while on a bike. If you do this and get caught, you could get fined up to €200.00, the same you would get for using a phone while driving.
  • You must be visible at all times, so the automatic lights on your Valenbisi bike must be on at night.
  • Children cannot be carried on a Valenbisi, as generally they must travel on a child bike seat and this is not possible on a Valenbisi bike.
  • You can carry pets with you on a Valenbisi.
Green light for bikes in Valencia
Even when cycling on a bike path, you’ll often find intersections with the car lanes. Remember to always respect the traffic lights for your safety and that of others.

When you’re on a bike lane

  • Bike paths in Valencia can either be a separate lane on the “normal” street, usually recognisable for their red colour, or a painted bike lane on the sidewalk.
  • The maximum speed allowed on a bike lane is 15 km/h (9 mph) if the lane is on the sidewalk or 20 km/h (12 mph) if it is a dedicated lane on the road.
  • Respect traffic signals, always let pedestrians pass unless the traffic lights or signals indicate otherwise.
  • Let others in the street know your movements by signalling in advance with your arms.
Bike lane in Valencia
Pictured here, one of the many bike lanes along the car lanes.

When you’re on the road

  • If the bicycle path stops you are supposed to cycle on the road. Be careful while doing this because driving on a normal road can be dangerous. If you are too scared to cycle on the road with other vehicles, you can always get off your bike and carry it next to you over the footpath.
  • When driving on a normal road, make sure you are keeping a safe distance between yourself and nearby vehicles of at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) to the side and 3 metres (10 feet) behind and in front.
  • Cycling on a bus lane is never allowed. There are, however, bus + bike + taxi lanes, marked as such on the road floor. These lanes have a section painted in red that acts as a bike lane. This section is exclusively dedicated to bikes and personal transporters (like electric scooters, segways, and electric unicycles). You can also bike in the rest of the bus + bike + taxi lane (outside the red area), but extra caution is recommended.
  • When you are cycling on the road, you are only allowed to circulate in the same direction as the rest of the vehicles.
  • If you are not going in the right direction on a one-way road, step off your bike and walk for a bit on the footpath.
Bike lane shared with taxi and bus lane in Valencia
Another type of bike lane in Valencia is the bus-bike-taxi lane, reserved for EMT buses, taxis and bikes. The small lane painted in red next to it is reserved for bikes exclusively.

When you’re in pedestrian areas

  • You can only cycle in pedestrian areas if the width of the street is more than 3 metres (10 feet).
  • Ensure that you are leaving at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) space for pedestrians to circulate while keeping a distance of at least 1 metre (3 feet) from them.
  • Keep your speed under 10 km/h (6 mph).
Cyclist on a Valenbisi bike riding on a bike lane
Pictured here, a painted bike lane on the sidewalk.

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Introduction
Bike lanes and traffic rules