Cycling Accidents in Mallorca Part 2 Risks.

It is apparent that the Mallorcan  Authorities are keen to promote cycling. having made substantial improvements in many directions , for example, tarmacking many of the caminoes (tracks). It took a long time for the caves road to be tarmacked. This is the very busy road  from near Pollensa to Campanet considering it has been one of the busiest routes  on the Island for a long time. With the plethora of potholes it was a long wait. We must not forget that the authorities had the foresight in building the Palma  Area Velodrome which is now a hive of activity, plus many other improvements such as making drainage grates biker friendly

Apparently one Authority did not acknowledge the lessons learned by a neighboring authority, as in Puerto Pollensa, not thinking about the problems encountered with the bike lane from Alcudia to Can Picafort on the edge  of the marsh. When the bike tract from Puerto Pollensa to Alcudia was first opened  the single track was used in both directions.  Now rather belatedly this bike track has been made one way. Cyclists returning after some absence do not realise that the system has changed and continue to ride the wrong way. This same track along the sea front from the port is very dangerous despite a speed limit, many ride much too fast  The situation is not helped by the many pedestrians in the area. Another problem with the track is that riders continue riding until reaching the Puerto Pollensa bypass road, then they have to cut across sometimes busy traffic to reach the other side of the highway. The local riders coming from the port ignore the track near the end turning  onto the road where it is not too busy , using the roundabout to be at the right hand side of the road.

Another danger area is near Pollensa Golf Course,  encountered when turning off the main highway towards Pollensa in  order  to  miss the traffic , taking  the sensible  scenic  route back to  Puerto Pollens. After the descent  on the  second turn to the left there  is  an  open  drainage ditch for the  length  o f  the valley  until  the  next junction. Both 2 and 4 wheel traffic has to  be extremely careful as any slight deviation off the very marrow winding road can be disastrous.  Is this  still  typical of other routes  on the Island?   CAN YOU WARN US  OF ANY OTHER AREAS YOU KNOW OF THAT CAN BE  ESPECIALY  DANGEROUS?  

Let us hope that the  authorities continue to  encourage cycling, as it is obviously to everyone's benefit to have more tourists in the winter months, but it is difficult with may  hotels closed. They could help themselves if they  thought about moving some of the key gatherings, such as the Ironman or 360 event away from the supercharged month of April

I am pleased to have learned that 5 of the badly injured riders are now back home in Germany and receiving further care which is going very  well, the 6th rider is expected to return shortly It was reported they were riding  in Palma ,not an ideal place to ride, please be careful in your choice of itinerary and   SEEK ADVICE , be aware of the weather dangers particularly in the mountains.

Gordon Neale is the author of the book "Cycling 70 Years Once World Champion"  spending  almost 20 year organising cycling groups in different areas of the Island.  He has received an award for services to tourism from the President of the Balearic Islands. Visit the Authors Website at cycling70yearsonceworldchampion.com

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