Cycling to School: Healthy, Independent and Safe
Cycling is healthy and sustainable, but it comes with risks. Helmets are mandatory for under-16s and recommended for all. Bikes must have a bell, reflectors, and lights at night.
Cycling is healthy and sustainable, but it comes with risks. Helmets are mandatory for under-16s and recommended for all. Bikes must have a bell, reflectors, and lights at night.
E-scooters are now a common sight on the school run. Officially classed as vehicles, they must follow road laws. Local councils may set their own rules, including age limits and helmet requirements, so parents must check locally
Tourists and visiting drivers may be surprised at the number of school buses in Spain, each marked with a pictogram. These buses are restricted to lower maximum speeds and stop frequently.
For many families, the school run means a car journey. Children under 1.35m must never travel in the front seat, and all children must be secured with the correct child restraint or seatbelt. Bags and loose objects should be stored securely.
September brings not just a return to classrooms, but also a return to busier roads. Even for those who are not parents, the school run can have a noticeable impact on daily journeys. Visiting drivers in Spain, unfamiliar with local rules, must be particularly careful.
Feet on the dashboard may seem like a carefree summer habit, but it could end in devastating injury or worse. In Spain, it’s not only illegal to sit incorrectly in a vehicle — it’s potentially fatal. Airbags deploy at speeds of up to 300 km/h. In a crash, that cool, relaxed position can result in shattered bones, facial trauma, or death. Even at just 25 km/h, an airbag impact can destroy your lower limbs. Here’s why posture matters, and why “cool” could cost you your life.