Spanish hotspot introduces £425 fines for tourists making dangerous mistake
As visitor numbers to the party-mad region of Benidorm continues to soar, officials are clamping down on tourists breaking a little-known rule when it comes to renting out mobility scooters
Sun-worshipping Brits are being warned not to break a little-known rule that could land them with a hefty fine.
Last year, a whopping 2.8 million tourists flocked to the party-mad resort of Benidorm, marking a 2.9 per cent jump compared to 2023. The boom has largely been attributed to UK holidaymakers - who have been flocking to the sunny hotspot as early as the 1950s.
Lured in by golden sandy beaches and cobalt waters, Benidorm is famous for its vibrant nightlife and wild entertainment, which has long been popular with Stag and Hen Dos. It is the place to be if you want to drink yourself silly in a fancy dress costume, and sober up the next day with a huge English Breakfast.
The Spanish city, located on the eastern coast of Valencia's iconic Costa Blanca, has a reputation for attracting elderly Brits who rely on mobility scooters to get from A to B - which has no doubt been perpetuated by the acclaimed TV series, Benidorm. But demand for these vehicles isn't just a stereotype, as there are more than a dozen mobility scooter shops in the region.
However, many people do not realise that Benidorm Local Law explicitly states you must be aged over 55 years old or have a certified disability for walking in order to rent an electrical scooter. Renters will also take a cash deposit from customers and make them sign a contract laying out all of the strict rules they must abide by.
This includes always carrying their rental contract with them, and avoiding slopes with an incline greater than five percent. Carrying multiple passengers on an individual scooter is also prohibited.
"Never leave the key when going down the Scooter," warns Amigo24, a popular mobility scooter rental firm in Benidorm. "[You] will not be covered by your insurance in case of robbery."
Following a rise in complaints over tourists renting vehicles for fun, and without proper insurance, the council has since emphasised that the use of mobility scooters is 'strictly limited' to those that genuinely need the aid. According to EuroNews, authorities are also cracking down on those driving around the city at 'dangerous speeds'. Violating any of these rules risks sky-high fines of up to €500 (approximately £425).
"Mobility scooters are designed for those with walking difficulties," Lee Cartwright, mobility scooter specialist at Mobility Solutions Direct, told Bristol Live. "If you can walk safely without one and you don't have a permit for one, it is best not to ride a mobility scooter to avoid a fine."
The expert urged those who do need to use a mobility scooter to stick to the speed limit, which is 4mph when on the pavement. Class three mobility scooters, which are intended to be driven on the roads, are allowed to go up to 8mph.
"A majority of those using a scooter without permission are young British people who are using the vehicle to go clubbing rather than pay for a taxi," he added. "But this results in reckless driving, such as weaving through traffic, driving too closely to others, and failing to be aware of their surroundings. Riding a scooter while intoxicated is both hazardous and against the law, similar to driving a car under the influence."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Furious anti-tourist protesters blast holidaymakers & hotel workers with water guns & hurl smoke bombs in Barcelona
HUNDREDS of fed-up locals have descended onto the streets of Barcelona - blasting holidaymakers with waterguns and launching smoke bombs. Under the slogan "Tourism steals our bread, homes, and future", the demonstrations in the Spanish capital came amid a huge wave of anti-tourism protests across the country. 11 Protesters shoot toy water guns during a demonstration against mass tourism in Barcelona, June 15 11 A hotel worker reacts as demonstrators shoot water pistols and coloured smoke 11 Protesters use water guns as a symbol against mass tourism 11 A protester holds a banner that reads 'Tourism is killing Barcelona' Credit: Getty 11 The march in Barcelona come amid a wave of similar protests across the country Credit: Getty Similar protests occurred this time last year, with both demonstrations being organised by the Assembly of Neighbourhoods for Tourism Degrowth. A spokesperson for the group said they had encouraged members to bring water pistols, which he said had become "a popular symbol of resistance against the plundering of the tourism monoculture". Daniel Pardo Rivacoba added that the tourism industry was "incompatible with life", and demanded "tourism degrowth now". Astonishing images showed scores of furious activists calling for the decline of tourism in their city and across Spain. Pointing their loaded water guns in the air and at holidaymakers, they called for the boycott of AirBnB and the end of rampant tourism. Some were seen refilling their weapons using public water fountains, while others even taped up hostels in an attempt to keep tourists locked in their accommodations. Riot police lined up to monitor the situation and keep the marches in check. Demonstrators also used smoke flares and vandalised shops such as the Louis Vuitton store in Passeig de Gràcia. The march set off from Jardinets de Gràcia just after 12:30pm local time. Workers rights amid soaring overtourism were at the centre of the rally. Anti-tourist protesters take over sightseeing coach in Majorca with smoke bombs ahead of mass march tomorrow Unions representing migrant workers, street vendors and cleaners took part in the huge protests. Spokesperson Pardo also said that the tourism industry "subjects the people who work in it to the worst working and salary conditions". He cited the housing crisis as another devastating impact of mass tourism. The controversial expansion of Barcelona-El Prat Airport has also been a flashpoint for locals. A spokesperson for one of the campaigns against this expansion, called Zeroport, emphasised that this message was being delivered to politicians and not to tourists. Ariadna Cotèn said: "Tourists are not really to blame for this situation happening in Barcelona." But her message didn't stop the hundreds of raging tourists who shouted in English for tourists to "go home". 11 Demonstrators gather during the protest against mass tourism Credit: Reuters 11 People attach stickers against tourists during the demonstration Credit: Alamy 11 Riot police keep watch on in the demonstrations Credit: Getty They held placards with messages such as "one more tourist, one less neighbour", and "tourism is killing Barcelona". Anti-tourism protests also unfolded on Sunday in holiday hotspot Ibiza, Donostia-San Sebastián, Palma, Granada, and the Pyrenees. But they have also spread across Europe - with some taking place in Lisbon, Portugal and across Italy this weekend. It comes just one day after Spanish protesters held up a sightseeing bus in Palma de Majorca ahead of the major anti-tourism demonstrations. The raging locals said the popular Spanish island is overwhelmed by tourists and driven by profit over local needs. These demonstrations came after Spain's first major overtourism protests of the year kicked off in April after thousands of people across 40 cities took to the streets. Majorca, one of the centres of the protests last year, hosted the first mass protests of the year. Nearly 40 organisations from the Balearic Islands are believed to have marched in Palma. What is overtourism? Overtourism refers to the phenomenon where a destination experiences a volume of tourists that exceeds its manageable capacity The term is often used to describe the negative consequences of mass tourism, which includes overcrowding and environmental issues As a result, popular destinations have become less enjoyable for both visitors and locals Local communities, in particular, bear the brunt, facing rising costs and a depletion of resources In response, national and local governments have started to implement measures to reduce overtourism Some solutions include: Safeguarding historical and heritage sites Promoting off-peak travel Tourism caps and regulations Promoting lesser-known destinations Later, in May, thousands flooded the streets of the Canary Islands in Spain's third wave of protests of the year. Demonstrations took place across the Spanish archipelago's islands, including Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura. The march carried the slogan: "The Canary Islands are not for sale, they are loved and defended." Other banners read: "The Canary Islands have a limit and so does our patience" and "Enough is enough!" Spain's anti-mass tourism movement began gaining serious momentum in April 2024 - particularly in popular tourist destinations. Locals have been demanding an end to the problems associated with mass tourism, including pollution, traffic chaos, the lack of affordable housing and low wages for tourism workers. 11 Red smoke bombs were used in the capital Credit: AFP 11 Protesters fill water guns on a fountain Credit: Getty
Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Wales Online
One dead and 19 tourists injured in Turkey balloon crash
One dead and 19 tourists injured in Turkey balloon crash The weather is believed to have played a part Hot air balloons in Turkey (file image) (Image: Pexels ) A hot air balloon has crashed in central Turkey, leaving its pilot dead and 19 Indonesian tourists injured, a local official said. In a statement, the governor's office said the balloon was affected by a sudden change of wind. It was trying to make a hard landing near the village of Gozlukuyu in Aksaray province when the pilot fell out of the balloon's basket and his feet got tangled in a rope, Aksaray governor Mehmet Ali Kumbuzoglu said. 'Unfortunately, our pilot got stuck under the basket and died,' he said, adding that the injured tourists were taken to hospital. Hot air ballooning is a popular tourist activity over the rugged landscape of central Turkey, which is dotted with ancient churches hewn into cliff faces. The attractions include the 'fairy chimneys' of Cappadocia – the tall, cone-shaped rock formations created by natural erosion over thousands of years that are a Unesco World Heritage Site. Article continues below Video from Ilhas News Agency showed one deflated balloon, its passenger basket lying on its side, as emergency services tended to injured people. An investigation is under way. State-run Anadolu Agency said another hot air balloon taking off from the same location of Ilhara Valley also made a hard landing early on Sunday morning, and that 12 Indian tourists were slightly injured and taken to hospital. Two Spanish tourists were killed in 2022 when a hot air balloon made a hard landing following a sightseeing tour of Cappadocia.
Metro
4 hours ago
- Metro
Anti-tourism protesters have an important message — and it's not for tourists
Protesters in holiday hotspots across southern Europe have swarmed the streets to condemn overtourism in an unprecedented show of unity. Thousands attended marches in the Spanish cities of Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, while events also took place in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, as well as Venice and Genoa, in northwest Italy. The Southern Europe Against Touristification coalition, comprised of activists from across the continent, wants to highlight the impact of mass tourism and how it is driving residents from their hometowns. But demonstrators and tourism experts agree that holidaymakers aren't the problem. The real enemy, they say, are the people profiting from it. As one organiser in the Basque city of San Sebastián says, 'people who go on vacation to one place or another are not our enemies…our enemies are those who speculate on housing, who exploit workers and those who are profiting handsomely from the touristification of our cities.' Protesters in dozens of locations have echoed this message. And Zoe Adjey, senior lecturer at the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of East London, tells Metro that a coordinated response has been a long time coming. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. 'This is very unusual, the tourism and hospitality industry is not the most unified. But it's good, because as they are saying, the protests have never been about tourists,' she says. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'They're about businesses, and what they are doing with the money they get from tourists. Where is that profit going? It's clearly not going back into the local areas.' As policy analysts have long argued, Zoe says Europe's growing tourism problem is a housing and affordability crisis framed through a false lens. 'We've now got a situation where workers can't afford to live within any sort of rational distance to their job,' she says. 'The person behind the bar needs somewhere to live – if short-term rentals are everywhere, pricing people out, well then there's not going to be a bar. It's a vicious circle.' Zoe, who is from Portrush in Antrim, Northern Ireland, says she knows of people who will travel almost two hours for casual bar shifts when the town hosts the 2025 Open next month. 'They're going to be spending what they earn to get there and back. Something has got to change,' she says. Asked what can be done to fix the problem, Zoe says governments need to get serious about high-quality subsidised housing. 'You need to be able to offer staff somewhere to live, and somewhere that's decent,' she says. 'I'd like to see a policy in every bar and cafe that involves employing people who live within a five-mile radius. But if you tried to do that right now, you'd find hardly anyone living there. 'Ultimately, it needs to be about employing local, not just buying local.' Graffiti saying 'tourists go home' has become an increasingly common sight across the Mediterranean. Tensions around tourism exploded last summer, when tens of thousands took to the streets of Spanish hotspots and 'occupied' beaches on the popular holiday island of Mallorca. International travel spending in Europe is expected to rise by 11% to £617 billion this year, with Spain and France among the countries set to receive record numbers of tourists. Barcelona, which depends on tourism for 15% of its GDP, announced last year it would shut all short-term lets by 2028. Jaime Rodriguez de Santiago, head of vacation rental platform Airbnb for Iberia, said earlier this week that restrictions scapegoated short-lets, which he said can help redistribute visitor flows to less crowded parts of a city. Earlier today, tourist protesters surrounded the Generator Hotel in Barcelona and targeted holidaymakers with water pistols. More Trending Locals in the Catalan capital also used flares after congregating with placards claiming tourism was pricing them out of housing and robbing them of their futures. Staff at the hotel were forced to intervene and were seen shouting at the protesters to move away. Elsewhere in Barcelona, police stepped in to stop protesters reaching the city's famous Sagrada Familia and avoid clashes between demonstrators and tourists visiting the Gaudi masterpiece. Shouts of 'tourists go home' and 'one more tourist, one less local' could be heard as activists marched through the streets. MORE: All 9 countries on the UK Foreign Office 'no go' travel list MORE: I walked Spain's lesser-known camino — it surprised me in the best way MORE: Man arrested after Scottish gangsters shot dead in Spanish bar
