Between 40 and 90 cyclists die on Spain’s roads each year, and Miguel Induráin says the risks are growing. The only Spaniard to win five Tours de France in a row, he points to rising traffic, including more cars and cyclists, as a factor making roads more dangerous.
“Our sport has always been dangerous and today even more so because there are more cars, more traffic, and more cyclists. It is difficult for accidents not to happen,” Induráin told El Larguero. Spanish roads are packed, adding to the danger.
Starting October 1, 2026, Spanish drivers overtaking cyclists must reduce their speed by at least 20 km/h below the posted limit and maintain a 1.5-meter lateral distance, or face a €200 fine and 6 penalty points.
The Dirección General de Tráfico reports about 7,000 traffic incidents involving cyclists every year. Most happen in cities, where traffic is heavy and cars and bikes constantly compete for space. Cyclists, among the most exposed road users, pay the price when drivers and riders fail to share responsibility.
Induráin’s answer is straightforward but tough: respect and education. “As a cyclist and as a driver, you must respect the rules. With respect, we will always reach a good end,” he says. He wants more than tougher rules; he wants a change in attitude, starting with children learning road safety and how to spot risks early.
His warning comes as more people in Spain turn to bikes for health or environmental reasons, as well as to save money. But roads and attitudes have not kept up, leaving cyclists struggling to stay safe, especially in cities where cars and bikes mix in tight spaces. As reported earlier, the open road draws many, but the risks are real and cannot be ignored.
In urban areas, new regulations require drivers to keep at least 5 meters behind a cyclist in the same lane, with violations subject to fines. The Dirección General de Tráfico says these reforms are part of a broader strategy to protect vulnerable road users and address persistent risks from improper overtaking and insufficient distance.
Induráin’s wins are part of cycling history. His push for safer roads could matter just as much. The DGT’s figures quantify a wider warning: too many cyclists will keep dying unless respect improves, road-safety education takes hold and enforcement strengthens. Spain must protect people on bikes to stop the death toll rising.
