I have been thinking since yesterday whether I should share this event with you or not. It is not for the particularly sensitive people, so if you are in that group, then maybe you would better not read any further. And I don't want anyone to be worried (especially not worried about us because we are fine, nothing happened to us) or bring a disturbance into your day.
However, this event was somehow present all day yesterday in our thoughts, and today too when we are checking the updates on the news about this event. It is a serious topic that should be talked about or tried to find a solution (this is difficult - to find a solution in this particular example) or to warn about possible dangers and encourage us to be more careful. It might be a topic of interest to all those who participate in traffic, both cyclists and car drivers.
So, what happened yesterday morning was that we were in a town called Calpe and we were supposed to leave for the next town, Altea, at 11:00. There is only one road connecting the two towns, the N-332 National Road. It is a winding road, quite narrow, and there are almost no straight sections where it would be possible to overtake another car or a group of cyclists. It is a route of about seven kilometres and in normal conditions, when traffic is not heavy, you get from one entrance to the town to the other in seven or eight minutes. Here, in the screenshot, it shows 8 minutes at this moment.
As I said, this is the one and only road that connects the two towns directly. If you would like to take the highway, you should first go to another town in the opposite direction, Benisa, and from there take the AP-7 highway. To travel between the very same spots, but using the highway, you need to drive 32 kilometres, and that takes 28 minutes in normal conditions with no heavy traffic.
So, everyone uses the N-332! Cars, trucks, vans, campers, cyclists... Cyclists. In recent years, the number of those who practice this sport has increased a lot. The area is very beautiful, and the mild winters make this place a paradise for cycling. Many cycling teams from all over Europe come to this part of Spain to train for cycling races and competitions. Some of the roads are perfect for their activity, with uphill and downhill sections, and I am sure it is much more interesting (and more suitable for road bike training) than pedalling on marked bike lanes. The hotel where I play also hosts cycling teams. I see them preparing for the training every Sunday.
I was supposed to leave at eleven from this place, but my son (my family was with me, they were walking a bit around) wanted to use the restroom, so we left some 5-10 minutes later. When we reached the N-332, there was already heavy traffic, but we were still moving slowly. First, a civil car with rotation passed by us, and then two ambulance cars, and we saw helicopters flying above us too. We realised it was an accident, the navigation showed it was a crash ahead, so we had to be patient. And time was passing, we were stuck there, eventually two police cars also passed, so we hoped they would organise the traffic and let the stuck cars pass.
We lost too much time and nothing was happening; in the end, the policeman from the last police car that passed showed with his hand a gesture that we should turn back. Many cars did the same as we did, we turned and went toward Benisa and from there we took the AP-7 highway to continue our travel.
Later in the day, we found out that at 11:07, a terrible thing happened; a car ran over a group of cyclists. 😞 One cyclist died, and the 14-year-old son of that victim was seriously injured. 😞
So terrible thing, it makes me so sad to see accidents, it brings tears to my eyes just to see crashed cars and if I were to see a person who just lost his life... if we were there just 10 minutes earlier, we would have seen that accident from close or maybe been involved too in some way... no, better not to think about that. You can't control what others do while driving, even though you drive carefully. But who is responsible for this accident, and are there ways to prevent future accidents of this kind?
The car drivers many times don't respect the cyclists, that can't be denied, however, the cyclists also have a lot of freedom and ride in groups in the middle of the road. People who live there go to Calpe to work, and the traffic is heavily affected since this road is not suitable for both cars and bikes that circulate there at the same time. I know they train for the cycling races and go very, very quickly down curves. I don't know how they can control the bikes. I, as the one behind the steering wheel of my car, don't know what to do or think sometimes. Am I in the middle of a bike competition? Is it the Tour de France I found myself in? Please, don't take my words wrong, I highly appreciate this sport, and I don't know where the cyclists get the mental strength from to pedal uphill and then the courage to go downhill so quickly, quicker than the cars. However, this road, this section of the N-332, is not suitable for both things because accidents, with fatal endings, happen! It is now the task of the authorities to think about the possible solutions here (which I don't see happening), but too many lives have already been lost and ruined.
What can I do as a driver? Well, drive super carefully and slower in this section, and avoid at all costs overtaking bikes; maybe I should take the much longer road and go a bit more safely. What could the cyclists do? I can't answer this question, maybe some Hive cyclists can give their opinion and inform us about the bike lanes or routes where they ride. I saw that some countries don't have bike-friendly roads, and I see it as dangerous to drive among the cars in that way, without a bike lane! I invite @friendlymoose, as the creator of the cycling community, to give us some suggestions on what car drivers (and cyclists, too) can do to avoid possible accidents. Are the roads like this suitable for riding in groups? Also, everyone who rides the bike, in a professional or amateur way, could share with us their opinion; is riding the bike a safe activity in their place?
Sorry for the topic, it affected us, and we are still checking the updates about this accident... 🤐
First of all, what a tragic accident. These fatal accidents is terrible, both for the cyclist(s) and their families as for the drivers of the car(s). That has nothing to do with who is to blame.
I don't know the ins and outs of these accidents, nor do I know the road, but I can share my thoughts about cars and cyclists sharing the same roads. Thanks for tagging me in this one @mipiano
Do remember that the things I write represent my personal opinion about this.
First of all I don't think cycling teams should train on open roads with heavy traffic. These guys are cycling with speeds that are way higher than 'normal' cyclists. It's quite hard for motorists to correctly estimate their speed.
And on two wheels you cannot stop instantly when cycling around 50 kilometers an hour.
En then you have the amateur cycling groups. I sometimes ride in a group as well, but some amateur groups think they are riding the Tour de France and 'claim' the road. This surely isn't the way to behave. This can lead to agression from motorists and cause accidents too.
Have respect for eachother! If you're cycling on a busy road; make room for the cars to pass. And if you see cyclists as a motorist, be patient and go wide around them and only without oncoming traffic.
And what can 'regular' cyclists do? As a cyclist you need to be aware thay you are very vulnerable in traffic. Cars often drive at way faster speeds than you.
It's an open door, but pay attention. Don't cycle with a headset for instance.
Make yourself visible. I used to ride in black since that matched my bicycle, but along the years I switched to fluorescent clothing. It's not very stylish, but I do stand out on the roads more. Especially in darker days, mornings or evenings.
Wear a helmet! It's a bit strange for someone from The Netherlands, where the cycling culture is so old that very few people wear helmets while cycling, but even over here we see a change. Cyclists with e-bicycles already wear helmets since we see an inrease of brain-injuries among cyclists.
Your brain is very valuable, so protect it well!
Show what you're planning to do! Use hand signals and make Eye contact with the motorists. When you cross a road, make sure you see the motorist and he sees you. And never cycle in the 'dead angle' of a car or a truck. Look at this striking French commercial why:
And then some tips for municipalities and governments. Create seperate cycling lanes. The speeds between cyclists and cars is just too high. Apart from the cities where cars need to adjust their speed, I think these two groups shouldn't share the same roads.
We in the Netherlands have an amazing network of seperated cycling lanes in between towns and cities. This really reduces the number of accidents. With the rise of the e-bicycles, more people can cover greater distances, so longer, seperate cycling lanes could help decrease traffic and is better for the environment too.
When designing new roads, government bodies should always take this into account.
And finally... have some patience. Everyone seems to be in a hurry nowadays. Agressive riding, both from motirists as cyclists doesn't make things better. We need to watch out and treat eachother with respect. 🚗🚴🏻❤️
Thank you very much for your extended comment and excellent explanation about the topic. I know, you said it is just your personal opinion, but it is a great opinion and professional insight that can help others who happen to read your comment guide how to behave while driving or riding a bicycle.
And yes, riding a bicycle is different, so different depending on whether you are a member of a professional team and you train, or an amateur group or you just your your bike as a leisure activity or going to the grocery or such.
I imagine the Netherlands is a whole world for cyclists, with proper infrastructure and culture for riding the bike! Separate cycling lines - I wish it existed everywhere in this world! Spain started to make the bike lanes some years ago in towns (probably just as pressured by the European Union), but they didn't do it very well in some places. I could say in some places it is ridiculous how it was done and with no sense or real good usage... but that's also another topic. I believe that in other towns (not in the one I have lived in) it is done better.
Dead angles of trucks are dangerous; many times we forget about it. Thank you for reminding us about that too, and once again, a big thank you for your professional and personal input into this post/topic @friendlymoose!
I saw your post yesterday, and from that I know that you are well, that you have arrived from your trip, with a delay, but alive and well.
Unlike the injured cyclist.
I believe you have heard about the action carried out by Serbian students, 80 of them who went by bicycle from Novi Sad, via Budapest, Munich, Ulm, to Strasbourg.
All 12 days of their driving, I prayed to God to save them because I knew that they were driving in a group, and then they are very vulnerable from other road users...
I sometimes ride a bike, but now exclusively on trails.
But as a car driver, I pay close attention when I see cyclists on the road.
And apart from cyclists, riding motorcycles is even more risky for me, small engines of small cubic capacity that slip between vehicles, cut lanes and are often invisible in rear-view mirrors.
Motorcycle and bicycle drivers, beware.
Every moment you are in traffic, so unprotected against other vehicles, is a risk for your life.
do your best to be seen by car and truck drivers, do not enter the blind spot in the rearview mirror, do not drive in the middle of the road, properly mark yourself with light indications.
Take care!🙏
Yes, we were fine, the delay we had is nothing compared to the tragedy these families have. I say families, as the driver's life is also probably ruined, it is basically a homicide he committed.
Yes, I vaguely heard about the cycling group of students that went from Serbia. Good that they arrived safely. You know, I don't have any other social media, and I don't read news, it is just what my husband sees sometimes, and he informs me about some of the news happening in Serbia
Oh, yes, you are very right about the small motorcycles, they are a real danger, for themselves and others too. And here in Spain, a lot of boys (when you turn 16 you can have the driving licence for motorcycles) ride these motorcycles, they feel important or what do I know, and unfortunately, there are so many accidents because they don't have experience but have the adrenaline to make crazy things. My son went to the funeral of the brother of their friend, who died exactly in that way, falling from a motorbike. Poor parents...
It's not just down to youth and inexperience. Motorcycles are a big risk for everyone who rides them.
The husband of my colleague died in his fifties, a long-time motorcycle racer with over 30 years of experience.
Fucking fate.
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It’s a really sad event when things like this happen. Unfortunately there isn’t a lot that can be done with these because they circumstances are very complicated. People should be able to ride on their bikes on those roads but so can cars. Forcing one to be removed for the other is going to cause lots of issues sadly.
I feel sorry for the families involved!
Yes, sad and shocking, these things should teach everyone to take more care while using the roads, but the accidents continue to happen. Respect for each other and more empathy should be the key ;)
This is so sad 😰 We don't know the details and this is why it's difficult to say whome to blame. Cyclists are very brave to take a road with one lane in each direction. I used to ride a bike with my hubby, pretty small group, but we never drive in parallel, always one after another. It may be dangerous even within a town considering wind flow created by lorries.
In Ukraine, outside of populated areas, cyclists try to ride where there is a wide roadside. As a driver, I treat them like ordinary road users. But in the city, cyclists often neglect their own safety and traffic rules. Not to mention motorcyclists...
Hello @zirochka , how are you? Glad to see you, but the topic is not so happy, right? Well, we don't want to blame anyone, as everyone is losing something in these sad situations... but we should find a solution (the society, in general) so these things happen less.
This is how we were also taught still as kids, although when there are no cars, we like to ride by the side of each other; however, this brings more risk and the possible anger of the car drivers.
I have a bike, but I still didn't bring it to my new home after the move as I don't have a garage here... it sleeps in the basement of a friend of mine. I should store it on the balcony, and also carry it up or down the staircase whenever I would like to ride, so I don't know what to do with my bike at the moment. Probably sell it and buy another one when I have a storage room somewhere or a garage
My bike is waiting for me, hanging on the wall of my apartment... One day I will ride it again
🚲
There are not many cyclists in my country and that's why we don't see such news, maybe in coastal areas. I can't think of anything as a solution, but you are right, we should not be experiencing such things in 2025. They can somehow widen the road and make a bicycle lane. This is the only solution I can think of.
The Netherlands is great in this matter. They have a really advanced cycling culture and habits, we should all learn from them.
On this particular road, no way to widen it; it is full of curves, one side the sea and ravines, and the other side the mountains and more ravines 😅 The solution would be to connect the town with the highway somehow so the cars to go directly there, and leave this road for bikes, but a huge mountain is there in the middle. Very rocky area.
Ah I see then your idea is better. If there is a way to connect the town and highway it would be good
When we jump over the mountain 😂
Honestly, as a pedestrian (I can't bike anymore due to my health, but I used to when I was younger), cars do NOT share the road. And the truth is, everyone has a right to the road, but car drivers seem to think everything is only for them, and get angry when others dare to share the road. Perhaps that is more of a US experience, where there is very little infrastructure for anything besides cars, so we are forced to share the road, but you see them complaining all the time that bicyclists should not be on the road (and yet, there is little to no infrastructure for bikes). They don't seem to know what the rules are for bicyclists, either (I often see complaints online about bicyclists doing things that are perfectly legal, but they seem to think are illegal). Walking on foot, I've almost been hit crossing the street when I had a crossing signal at an intersection MULTIPLE times, because they don't even look for pedestrians, only other cars.
There is only so much we can do to try and protect ourselves when we're walking or biking; and yet they seem to think we should be doing even more instead of them maybe putting their phone down, going a little slower, or looking both ways before making a turn themselves. It's wildly dangerous, but the onus is always on us, those not in cars. But in comment sections I see them saying things like, we should be wearing yellow safety vests and carrying flags and lights and whatnot, like we're in a construction zone instead of walking to the store.
I know it isn't all drivers, of course, but around here there are just so many who absolutely have no patience for anyone outside of a car. Not pedestrians, bicyclists, scooters, people in wheelchairs, children, no one. I really want to send all drivers to a kindergarten redux class where they are reminded that they should SHARE, lol.
I didn't notice so much aggressive behaviour from the car drivers here, and at that level as you mention, but yes, accidents still happen. Alcohol often makes things worse. A few weeks ago, a young man with a brand new car hit a parked car, just right in front of this hotel where I work - it was Sunday morning, he was driving after a Saturday night outing, which included alcohol intake 🤦♀. No one should ever drive if previously had a few drinks!
Haahah, in this serious topic, this made me laugh 😆
Thank you for your comment, @phoenixwren 😇
Ugh, drunk driving is so irresponsible. Call a friend, call a cab, hire an Uber, something.
Yes, stupid and very irresponsible behaviour. But he had a brand new Audi haha, he must have felt so important lol
Cyclists Vs drivers rage is always a big issue in England, particularly in the city when it's very busy on the roads and there's no dedicated cycling routes.
As a driver more than a cyclist, I'm with cyclists on the road even though they may slow me down on narrow roads, but what really annoys me is when they cycle in packs instead of single file and take up the whole road
So, this also exists in England, this rage between cyclists and drivers? Yes, it must be a universal issue, but the Netherlands is way better at providing proper infrastructure for bikes than anyone else.
You seem to be a good and patient driver 😇
Unfortunately, this is the case when most of the accidents happen
Hi @mipiano, it is very sad this event. And in my opinion you have done very well to share it. sincerely you have to be a person with a stone for a heart not to be sad knowing the event and the irreparable damage it has left. And it is a good person to worry that something similar could happen again.
I'm sure Hive's cycling friends can provide some answers.
A big hug. 🤗
Thank you @enraizar, buenas tardes! We just arrived from nature, where we spent half of our day. And indeed, Hive cyclists gave some answers, it is so good when we can share opinions and experiences from all over the world.
Ya good evening @mipiano, I am sure you are right about the comments, I will now read some of those responses.
Best regards.
😢, these things affect me... I'm very sorry. I wasn't sure if I would come here to comment. It makes me very sad that a person has died, a father in this case. How much pain for the family, for friends, even for people who even though we didn't know him, we love life. I understand how you felt about it.
Accidents happen every day... but in this case the weak party are the cyclists and drivers should have some consideration and respect for them. Because... where would they cycle then? 🙁
In my case, I wouldn't be able to ride a bike ever.
I'll share with you something that happened to me a few days ago.
I had a dream. I was riding my bike and two cars were blocking my way. I managed to pass between them 1 millimetre away from each other and it felt so real... the dream very vivid. I felt anguish and fear. I kept thinking about it that day. It was one of those dreams that you remember...
The next day I had to go to the dentist. And when I was coming back, I was going on the extreme right, almost stuck to the edge of the road and a panel car, one of those cars with two seats in front and a cab in the back, passed by me so close that the rear-view mirror on the side almost hit me. Imagine, it passed by me at 60 km per hour and made an air box, which moved my handlebars and I was almost on the ground, and I saw the whole film of what could happen to me if I lost control and fell... but of course it didn't happen. I shouted... I said a very obscene word, of course the guy was already 1 km ahead of me when I shouted... he didn't hear me and I couldn't reach him to tell him what I had to say to him. Anger, so much anger I felt... and at the same time I thanked the Universe.
There should be infrastructure for cyclists. There isn't in many places... so courtesy should prevail. And also on the part of cyclists to be as careful as they can be. I don't know what else to say about that.
I didn't want to disturb your day or your thoughts, I am sorry if this post affected you. But I also saw in some of your videos that the roads where you ride are dangerous. Not just because of the potholes, but because of the drivers who don't seem to care.
Strange dream you had, but realistic, and then it almost happened in real life. 🤐 Last night, I dreamed that two small snakes attacked two turtles. What a strange dream hahaha, and then today, we were in nature, and a huge, but really huge lizard, something you see just in zoos, ran between the bushes where I walked. Twice. Hahaha, my first reaction was wow, wait... and then when it happened for the second time I was already scared hahaha 😂
Anyway, I went away from the topic. You will ride your bike, it gives you energy, but please avoid the dangerous roads. If not, the meditating blondie from the mountain will have to take care of you 😆
As you saw Friendlymoose's comment, he gave a great opinion and tips for everyone :)) 🚗🚴🏻
I don't know which road I would travel on then... 🤷🏻 Maybe the one in front of my house where no cars pass. But I couldn't go anywhere else. Since I have no choice... Then I'll have to call... you know, to take care of me.
Yes, I know about the blind spots. I have a driving licence and I spent some time in my life driving a car. I forgot, driving... Hahaha... But not the theory.
But that story I told you... I saw perfectly well that he had the whole road on the other side, two sections, and so he had to pass me, grazing me to the point of almost hitting me. And I told you 60km per hour but I'm pretty sure he was going faster than that.
On dreams... I've been trying to remember them all every day. That's why it's important when I wake up, to stay calm, to recapitulate, not to be distracted by anything, because the brain is a sponge and immediately fills itself with information that is not important at that moment, but that is part of our life, like an automatic pilot. Then you forget what you dreamt. Dreams are a very important communication that must be taken into account.
I've been asking myself a question as well... Why do dreams get forgotten if they are often premonitory, if they tell you things about yourself that you need to resolve? I answered myself that maybe it is so that we can come to that conclusion and be alert. So that we take life and the little things calmly. The details matter.
🙂😉🫂
That driver was very disrespectful and mean! But you will take care of yourself and ride, ride, ride 😉!!!
How sad to read about this event. These accidents happen a lot in my country because there are no ciclovias and car drivers have no empathy for cyclists, they only see them as an obstacle on the road.
I hope the guy who is injured recovers soon! 🙏🏻
The lack of empathy, in every situation, brings bad endings. He is young, he will recover, but he lost his father in this accident, and that will remain for the whole life 😔
I am sensitive yes, but I have witnessed things like that... here it is not common or it wasn't until recently, but in Argentina it is normal for cars to run over people... they accelerate and it doesn't matter, I assure you 100%, there is no respect so when I arrived here I was surprised.
I witnessed how a truck ran over a cyclist on the corner of my house in Argentina and if the body was there... the sensation is one of horror. I was on the verge of having many accidents on the road due to the imprudence of lorries... lorry drivers who were asleep and things like that. And I know how you feel. I feel so sorry for those people... so sorry...😌
Oh, no, what a terrible driving behaviour in Argentina. Why is it like that? Well, no real answer to why... just as you say, no respect one for anothers
I think it's a mixture of disrespect and that the driver's licence is held by someone who shouldn't have it....
Que triste noticia 😔. Cosas así no deberían suceder, pero a veces la imprudencia y las circunstancias propician sucesos así de trágicos. Un abrazo.
Sí, así es...Bueno, cada uno tiene que intentar estar atento y así a lo mejor no pasan tan a menudo los accidentes.
@mipiano, I paid out 1.855 HIVE and 0.463 HBD to reward 11 comments in this discussion thread.