Busy Morning – Summer Is Nearly Here!
Things are starting to heat up—literally and figuratively! With summer just around the corner, we’ve had a busy morning here at the shop, and bookings are picking up fast.
Today, we had the pleasure of renting bikes to some fantastic groups from the Netherlands and Ireland—both long-term and short-term rentals. Whether you’re planning a full cycling holiday or just want to explore Vilamoura for a few hours, we’ve got you covered.
If you’re thinking about riding soon, it might be a good idea to book ahead. The sunny days are drawing more people out, and bikes are going fast!
I get asked a lot about the cycling rules here in Portugal…so here we go:
Cycling Laws in Portugal: Explained Simply for visitors
- Where You Can Ride
- Allowed on roads, bike paths (ciclovias), and shared pedestrian/bike lanes.
- Not allowed on motorways (autoestradas).
- You can ride two abreast (side by side), as long as you’re not blocking traffic.
- Use cycle lanes if available, but you’re not required to.
- Rules of the Road
- Obey traffic lights, stop signs, and all road signs—cyclists follow the same rules as cars.
- Ride on the right-hand side of the road.
- Give hand signals before turning or changing lanes.
- You must stop at pedestrian crossings if someone is crossing.
- Helmet Rules
- Adults: Helmets are recommended, but not mandatory.
- Children under 12: Helmets are mandatory.
- For safety, helmets are encouraged—especially outside urban areas.
- Night Riding
- Front white light and rear red light are required at night or in poor visibility.
- Reflective clothing or accessories (e.g., reflective vest) strongly recommended.
- Phones and Headphones
- You cannot use a phone while cycling (even hands-free).
- Headphones/earbuds are also banned while riding.
- Alcohol
- Legal limit is 0.5 g/L (same as for drivers).
- That’s about 1 small beer or glass of wine—but cycling drunk can get you fined and is not safe.
- Fines
- Fines for breaking rules range from €30 to €250.
- Police occasionally stop cyclists for spot checks, especially near tourist zones.
- Rental Bikes
- Always check if your rental bike has:
- Working brakes
- Front/rear lights
- Bell
- Reflectors
- These are required by law for safety.
- Useful Extras
- Insurance isn’t required, but travel insurance that covers cycling is a good idea.
- E-bikes (up to 25 km/h and 250W) follow the same rules as normal bikes.
