Spanish hotspot introduces £425 fines for tourists making dangerous mistake
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."
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