One of the main advantages of practicing mountain biking is the freedom and sense of safety that comes with riding on rural roads or natural trails, far from the traffic of cars, trucks, or motorcycles. For many cyclists, going out with their mountain bikes is a way to connect with nature while training or enjoying a route in peaceful, stress-free environments.
However, this greater freedom does not mean that everything is allowed. The rural environment is also regulated by specific rules, and it is shared by many other groups: hikers, runners, horse riders, and even hunters. Therefore, it is essential to know the traffic regulations applicable to cyclists in natural areas, and to stick to them in order to coexist harmoniously with other users of the environment.
Just as in urban environments or on roads, where those who use road bikes must respect signs, speed limits, and priorities, there are also rules in the mountains whose violation can result in considerable fines. Some penalties can reach high amounts, especially if a serious infraction occurs in protected areas or natural parks.
Ultimately, whether you ride on asphalt with a road bike or prefer to venture onto trails with your mountain bike, knowing and respecting the current legislation is the best way to enj
oy cycling in a safe, civic, and responsible way. Below, we review the most important rules that every biker should keep in mind when riding in natural environments.
1. Always ride on public roads
It is true that there are more and more restrictions on the practice of mountain biking in the countryside or mountains. But that is no excuse to invade private roads belonging to estates or trails where bicycle access is prohibited for environmental reasons. This is a common occurrence that gives strong arguments to those who want to criminalize and end cycling in rural areas. That is why the best advocacy that can be done at this time, apart from the great work carried out by associations such as IMBA for the opening of new paths for cyclists, is to comply with the rules and ride only on public roads.
If you come across a flock of sheep or cows, you should know that in the countryside, animals always have the right of way. Then hikers, horse riders, and lastly cyclists.
How do you know which paths are for public use? There are different web applications you can consult. The most useful is SIGPAC, created by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food. It's a map you can browse to locate both public and private paths. In this article from Jara y Sedal you will also find more detailed instructions on how to use this tool and find out if the route you are going to take by bike is for public use or is a private area.
2. Respect right of way
In the countryside, animals always have right of way over people. The most common thing is to come across herds of livestock, sheep, or cows on the paths, to which you must yield if they are crossing. In the case of other users, you should give right of way to hikers and horse riders, in that order. On the other hand, among bikers, although there is no regulation regarding this, you should give preference on a narrow uphill trail to the person going up.
3. Do not open new paths or modify existing ones
Opening new trails or substantially modifying them, intentionally and without prior authorization, is prohibited by law. If you do so in a protected area, such as natural or national parks, the financial penalty can reach up to 1,000 euros depending on the autonomous community or municipality and the seriousness of the action. Avoid making jumps, placing walkways, cutting tree branches, or skidding unnecessarily. All of these are alterations to the natural environment that entail sanctions and do not give a good image to the cycling community.
4. Ride only on forest tracks in protected areas
Each nature reserve has its own rules, set out in their specific Natural Resource Management Plans. But most of them have similar usage restrictions for cyclists. As a general rule, cycling is prohibited outside of tracks and forest paths less than three meters wide. Although there are exceptions, such as the possibility of riding on traditional paths and trails as stated in the Natural Resource Management Plans of the Guadarrama National Park, in Madrid. There are even natural or national parks that have marked, with the corresponding signage, the routes that cyclists must follow. Going off these routes is a minor offense with a fine from 30 to 600 euros, depending on the nature of the infraction. This penalty can be increased if there is intent or if you are a repeat offender.
5. Ride in small groups
In the case of going out to train or doing a route in a more or less large group, it is advisable to find out in advance about group limitations according to regional and local legislation. Also check the Natural Resource Management Plans for protected areas. In general, there are mobility restrictions for groups of between 10 and 50 people, with stricter rules in national parks. If access is allowed for small groups or small pelotons of cyclists, they must ride in single file or at most two abreast on wide forest tracks and paths, always keeping to the right edge.
6. Moderate your speed
In crowded parks or natural areas near cities, such as Casa de Campo in Madrid or Parc de la Collserola in Barcelona, there are speed limits for cyclists. In both, the limit is 20 km/h, indicated with the respective signage. Forest rangers or municipal police have already fined more than one cyclist 60 euros for this in several areas, as reported in Ruedas Gordas. If there are no specific signs, it is advisable to moderate your speed. Especially if it is an area frequented by other users, such as hikers, runners, or is a frequent passage for animals.
7. Respect hunting ground restrictions
One of the most common questions is whether it is possible to ride on a path inside a private hunting reserve. As a general rule, it is possible to cross it if the path is public or if it lacks the approved sign (authorized by the municipality or the autonomous community) that prohibits passage due to hunting activity. In the case of specific hunting events during the hunting season (generally from August to February), such as monterías, it is possible that passage through certain paths in the area is prohibited while the activity lasts. The prohibition of passage, in any case, must be properly signaled with a notice or decree from the respective city council, indicating the period during which the path or trail will remain closed.
8. Close gates and livestock crossings behind you
It is also worth remembering that the different gates or animal crossings in the fences of properties should be closed again after you pass through them. This will prevent animals from escaping.
9. Pick up your waste
Apart from being a civic act and a sign of respect for the environment, leaving the countryside clean and not throwing away waste (bar wrapper, bottles, or bike spares) is a fundamental rule. Moreover, leaving waste in protected areas can result in a severe fine.
10. Always wear a helmet
Just like on the road, it remains mandatory to wear a helmet on paths and trails, as well as the appropriate lighting and a reflective vest in low visibility conditions. Don't forget that there is also traffic on rural roads, although much less, and it is regulated.