Be aware of the new rules in Girona. https://web.girona.cat/documents/20147/271997/Triptic-cicloturisme-Girona-ENG.pdf
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46 Comments
Very helpful travel info. I learned the hard way in Venice, Italy. Didn't see any signs saying bicycles weren't allowed and I made it all the way to Piazza San Marco before the police stopped and made me pay a 100 euro fine on the spot. Also I have never been so aware of the loud ratcheting sound of my wheel as i pushed my bike through those narrow corridors. I had gone too far before I noticed there were no other bikes to turn back and I was surprised no one stopped me or told me I was doing something wrong. Stupid Americans 😂
I liked your Montana videos but this was fascinating. Besides the bike regulations I kept thinking about that steel framed bike and those alt bars just soaking up street chatter.
I'm rethinking my idea of a new 700c aluminum bike to steal and 650b with alt bars.
I honestly don't understand why cyclists flock to be around crowds other cyclists. Especially not to that extent. So many options.
As a European (Italian who grew up in Switzerland) I can tell Girona locals got enough with the overly crowded cycling community.this seam very expensive 🙁 . Great work sharing man. Can’t help feeling it’s a bummer:(
close ups of the signs might be good for us confused tourists
I'm not so sure I would want to ride there unless I really had to.
It looks so nice there. Not too crowded, beautiful and peaceful streets. No cars, no Ford F-250s or the “people” who drive them.
That being said, I think I’ll just respect the wishes of the locals and not visit.
One thing you didn't mention is if you ride on a sidewalk you can be fined. So I think when you rode over the foot bridge that could have cost you 200 euros.
Great advice for visitors 👍
You are living in a heaven, you know that eh
Thanks for the heads up. I’m cycling to Girona from France and will be there on Monday evening!
Nice one Russ!
Could you do something on good places to to stay?
i.e. Affordable and cycling friendly, as opposed to five star.
And maybe offer some idea of what it might cost a two-wheeled visitor to spend a week in sunny Girona, assuming they don't get fined!
Cheers
Pretty sure most of the negativity is Lycra related, that hate transcends continents.
2:24 la fabrica cycling cafe on the right – my favourite – owned by former pro cyclist christian meier
Is it ok to skateboard in the opposite direction? (like the one did at 8:19)
Great video. Don’t assume that we all know where Girona is. This is the first I’ve ever heard of it
Foreigners have the problem that the cultures they visit must adapt to them and not the other way around.
Spanish people, as friendly as they come, are tired of drunken tourists, uneducated and disrespectful tourists, etc., etc., even with the traffic rules in Girona, in this case.
The solution is easy. Are you going to Spain on holiday? Learn Spanish, first of all. Respect their culture, traditions, their people and their laws and you will have everything from them.
Because the Spanish are a kind, friendly and welcoming people. I tell you from my own experience.
Do the opposite and as in any other country they will give you their medicine.
Thanks. Good video. I stayed at a hotel across the river at the red bridge. I realize now that I was going the wrong way when I went to go to my hotel. Agree with you that it is easy to just go around. I just didn’t know better.
Thanks for showing me all the rules I broke 😂. In Girona 2 weeks w family this summer and loved it. Did get pulled over and ticketed by cops….but not downtown. Fairplay to them for enforcing the rules.
Huge thanks for showing this route around the Nexus of downtown! That right turn when you pass, eat sleep was the one that I didn't do, otherwise flow around is pretty straightforward.
Girona is awesome, but so are a lot of areas of Spain. Love the people and landscape.
Hey what are these handlebars tho?
Pretty discouraging “Big Hammer” approach to this cycling traffic issue. Two hundred Euro fine, on the spot (or what? Jail?). Guess this is how they discourage tourists. It’s working with us. Well done Gerona.
Spanish Karen’s…. Who knew? That said, some of this is likely merited or beneficial from a safety perspective…
So much fun Girona! hahaha 🙁
Girona is NOT a heaven. Not for cyclists, nor for anyone else. It’s the most overrated, overhyped destination EVER. Been there and it was hell to ride my bike through the busy city and the yes… full size interstate MOTORWAYS !! It’s okay if you book a hotel downtown and stay there but for cyclists it is completely bonkers to go there. Stupid actually.
A little courtesy to pedestrians goes a long way! We'd have so much more solidarity about shared streets if more of us rode with more chill through busy pedestrian areas (or even just crosswalks). All it takes is some consciousness about personal space, yours and everyone else's.
I can't see anything that would support the title cycling paradise. I think it's a mess.
I'm just on a trip thru northern Italy. Lago Maggiore – Ferrara (city of bicycles) and back. More or less any normal city in Italy has this better. Mostly cyclists are allowed any direction, one way streets with ecetto bicicletta signs everywhere and if there is no space, you drive slowly or walk.
If there are no ecetto bicicletta signs, everybody does it anyway and nobody cares. I wasn't in Venice tho, this is a big exception, no bikes allowed at all.
Thats silly cataluña for you, for all those defenders out there.
E bikes?
Great video. Easy to understand for anyone who has been there previously, Easy to follow local laws wherever you visit.
Going cycling in Girona is like climbing in Chamonix or holidaying in Faliraki. The valley next door is the place to go.
This pushback on tourism is not just in Girona. Most heavily touristed areas of Spain are pushing back on the scourge of excess tourism. I live on Mallorca and the people here have had enough of the package holiday hordes clogging our streets and country roads. More tourists is not always good, enough is enough – so the government is taking steps to actively reduce the numbers and shift away from the bottom end of the tourust spectrum.
Girona is very over-rated.
Oh man, looks like I unknowingly broke the rules. At least I now know for next time 🙏👍
look I am mediterranean spanish and I live in a very similiar town south. they just made the historical city center peatonal or walkable for people that lives there and visitors. Avoid using your bicycle that particular area or any small town as much as you can. Locals do not enjoy to be harrased by bicycles everywere when they are working or living their lives. that is the most polite thing you can do. just enjoy the cafes and your time there. You have hundreds of cycling areas, routes or clubs to experiece outside the city center. Also it makes common sense following traffic signals. Most of our mediterranean cities are pretty much the same. About tourismfobia, we have a problem with massive british, northen eurpean and american very disrespectul people that makes local people life very difficult. Don´t get me wrong is not your case. Just explaining.
As a new resident to Girona? A very belated congrats… When I visited in October, I didn’t want to leave… I’ve been researching the process of moving there… 🙌🏽🍻
Sounds like if you respect the direction of traffic and signs it is pretty easy. That's how it should always be, isn't it.
Glad that I stumbled onto your video! Heading to Girona in a few months to ride. I’m glad to hear and see how to get around and not annoy the locals or get a fine! Thanks!
Good video. Was there in September and must admit I didn’t read the signs and got abuse! Will be more aware next time.
I’ve lived in Girona and I am a cyclist. A minority of cyclists behaviour has brought this on. Please abide by the rules.
Gee, I would hate that. Lots of confusing rules and restrictions are the last thing I want when I’ve gone somewhere to relax. I’ll go somewhere else, which I guess is what they want in any case.
Good video. We visit girona a ton to ride. I don’t have an issue with this at all and think it’s a good idea. Those aren’t the roads you came to ride anyway
Good on you for making this! I think you should repackage it with a new thumbnail that isn't so much of a WARNING, but more of a guide. Then you should print a QR code that links to it on some flyers and leave them in the major cycling cafes. La Fabrica in particular needs this because when you come out of that little ally and turn left you're immediately at risk of breaking the rules, and it's not clear.
I really understand people in Griona wanting visitors following the rules, but I must admit it is really inconvinient when you get a coffe in the morning at mafia and then you have to walk your bike to eat sleep cycle for the group ride or you go the full loop. Also 200€ fine is really harsh…. 50€ should be harsh enough to not do it twice
This is caused by the penguin walk shoes.
As a club cyclist and audax rider I quickly got over the need to wear shoes like a pro. Wear shoes you can walk easily in. Why on earth not?
SPD cleats hidden by a good rubber sole solve all issues around walking your bike. Then maybe the Lancealikes would not rocket through crowded shopping streets.
I love those "around town" type of videos. Please make more, so that we can virtually visit Girona.
I got yelled at yesterday as a tourist. Had no idea. Most people were stoked.