Quad and Buggy tours

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

Saw this article today online:

Quad bikes have proliferated across Fuerteventura over recent years, and have been popular with tourists who want to explore the island away from traditional roads, which has also increased the number of businesses offering this novel form of transport. However, La Olivia Municipality has agreed new regulations to control the use of these quad bikes and other buggies to prevent damage to the local environment, and to reduce inconvenience to local residents.

Local quad bike companies now have 14 days to show that they have the correct permits to carry out their off-road excursions for tourists, as the Municipality wants to have more control of where these bikes travel.

These new measures mean that quad bike tours must not pass closer that 500 metres from houses and rural settlements, but these are not meant to stop or reduce the continued operation of local companies that operate these tours for visitors. However, many local people in La Olivia Municipality have complained to the town council about the increased number of quad bike tours, the noise they produce and clouds of dust and sand that are dispersed by their vehicles, as well as damage to rural surfaces by so many bikes crossing this landscape.

Following a petition of two thousand signatures of local residents, David Avila, a lawyer representing the Municipality, says that the city council must protect the rural landscape, and these new measures that have been adopted could become more restrictive if local quad bike companies do not follow the new regulations.

The original article I saw, in Spanish, specifically mentioned the tours being a problem in Majanicho and El Cotillo. It also said that the tour companies could not just divert off track to stay 500M away from residential areas, they could only use existing alternative tracks or proper roads

[Archer]

Yeah, I read a similar report too. Interestingly, the Ayuntamiento say they haven't issued any permits, so should be interesting. And in the future, they say operators will also need a licence for the workshop to repair the machines and to store fuel.
They are a nuisance with the noise and dust, and motocross bikes too, but the answer should be to agree routes for them, away from residential areas, and where it is safe, and to ensure they have road-legal silencers. Not to ban them.

[Jock719]

I hear the old bill shut em all down today

[Tamkid]

Is the old Tam gang still operating a Quad Bike business? Ian and co?

[malabu]

Is the old Tam gang still operating a Quad Bike business? Ian and co?

Yes glad to say they where going great increased there stock by 100%, i dont know the current situation with them as i have not seen anyone yet

[malabu]

What a sad day, again another company providing fun and adventure to the many tourist visiting our island shut down by no more than jealousy by locals, i bet my life they would not have done this 4 or 5 years ago when the local community and  Ayuntamiento where on there knees and pot less desperate to promote any type of business to bring tourist to the island and it will happen again, and not to far in the future, i bet the locals end up running the tours.

[Archer]

You are so right.
Just a pity they didn't try working with the groups organising these tours and put in some controls to keep everyone happy.

[Tamkid]

Hi Malabu, is it Ian's business that they have closed down? I hope not, he has invested a fortune in the place over the years, if it wasn't for people like him nothing would get started, they would be looking after goats herds until the end of time.

[malabu]

Yes it is Ian and Mark they totally gutted as we all are that know them, as you say they have along with a lot of people put so much into the Island, what annoys me is we here on TAMARAGUA have for 5 years had to put up with the motorway, breaker noise, dust, diversions, and all within 10 meters of our property's NOT A SINGLE COMPLAINT,  but the snobs and jealous chaps whose parents weren't married when they were born  are able to shut down perfectly good bushiness and put god knows how many people out on the streets and deprive the local authority out of i dont know how much revenue, as i say 4 or 5 years ago they would probably had a grant to start the business, how times change   

[Tamkid]

Their both survivors, lets hope they can get the necessary licences quickly and back on the road. Everything you posted is 100% correct, it always seemed to me that the Spanish Authorities totally detach themselves from any responsibility with the consequences of their battering ram type actions, they never negotiate, its their decision, like it or lump it or go back to the UK we really don't care, beat it.

[Ole Man River]

 I followed 5 quad bikes down to Corralejo yesterday. From Tamaragua to the bottom of the hill at the football ground. No one could pass them, going about 40km. The bikes looked a different colour to the usual dusty brown - bright & shiny? Should they have been on a main road for this distance & who were they? Does this mean some are getting away with? 

[c matthews]

Does it affect cool running trike bikes

[Archer]

My understanding is that it affects those that go off-road, sometimes making their own tracks and causing a nuisance by going too close to residential homes and through National Parks. Not all operate in an irresponsible manner, but they all get checked out for a permit to operate. As none have one, they all get closed down until they apply.

[Johnrgby2]

Does it affect cool running trike bikes

Apparently not, fully licensed and insured

[malabu]

My understanding is that it affects those that go off-road, sometimes making their own tracks and causing a nuisance by going too close to residential homes and through National Parks. Not all operate in an irresponsible manner, but they all get checked out for a permit to operate. As none have one, they all get closed down until they apply.
[/quot
how do you know they do not have a permit and insurance, how some people love gossip.

[spitfire58]

My understanding is that it affects those that go off-road, sometimes making their own tracks and causing a nuisance by going too close to residential homes and through National Parks. Not all operate in an irresponsible manner, but they all get checked out for a permit to operate. As none have one, they all get closed down until they apply.
[/quot
how do you know they do not have a permit and insurance, how some people love gossip.

One could make the assumption !!
Have permits/license - continue to operate
No license/permit - shut down

[Archer]

I don't know who has a permit. And I didn't mention insurance.
All I can say is what the Ayuntamiento said "No permits have been issued" (for quad/buggy tours).

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

I followed 5 quad bikes down to Corralejo yesterday. From Tamaragua to the bottom of the hill at the football ground. No one could pass them, going about 40km. The bikes looked a different colour to the usual dusty brown - bright & shiny? Should they have been on a main road for this distance & who were they? Does this mean some are getting away with? 

Hi OMR
I'm going slightly off tangent here to answer one of your queries.
I have my own buggy, it has an ITV, insurance and is fully road legal so I can drive it on main roads as far as I like. Indeed to get to the ITV station I have no option but to do so! 

[malabu]

I don't know who has a permit. And I didn't mention insurance.
All I can say is what the Ayuntamiento said "No permits have been issued" (for quad/buggy tours).

I have no idea what is going on, but everyone assumes they are not legal, no insurance, no licence,
no repair shop, and on and on, but i happen to know that Mark and Ian had it all, i dont know about the rest, i think its all about who complained and if they are ready to start there own business, make of that what you want, 

[Tamkid]

Looking at the details of the Local Authority Permit regarding coming with 500 metres of Residential Areas, its going to be very difficult to operate even if you get a Permit? El Cotilo will be out of the Question, Operating from Corralejo will be out of the question, you would have to have a facility in the middle of nowhere, I understand the situation now. No wonder Mark and Ian are gutted, investing in doubling their quad bike numbers then having the rug pulled from under their feet, big problem, just hope they find a solution quickly.

[spitfire58]

With the beer bike thing with Esty & now this with the quad bikes it is really off putting for any non Spanish to try starting a business on the island. So bizarre when the lifeblood of the place is tourism.
I have no info but are the existing quad bike businesses predominantly owned by "foreigners" or locals ??

[paully]

I have no info but are the existing quad bike businesses predominantly owned by "foreigners" or locals ??

I think its a reasonable assumption that `locals` are not involved. Especially those related to the Island`s Rulers..However....that could change, could it not 

[Grampiangranny]

'El Cotilo will be out of the Question'

Hallelujah.  For anyone living close to the Toston Tower and the Bus Station area, who have had to suffer the  incredible amount of noise made several times daily, both by the machines ( often 40-50 at a time) and the punters, this ban will be music to their ears.

Segways next?  The funniest thing I ever saw was a Segway driver on the Malpas in Cotillo attempting a big muddy puddle after heavy rain. Let's just say he didn't end up with egg on his face! The nose dive forward was truly spectacular.

[Snowdrop]

Well they are still going down the main road between guardia civil and the new bus station along side Campanerio centre then across the roundabout heading towards the beaches and this road has houses virtually all along it.

[Archer]

The enforcement seems to be only La Oliva at the mo. Wonder if the others follow suit? We have a big operator in the harbour at Morro Jable....he's Spanish & runs other leisure pursuits as well. Will they close him down??
We'll see.

[Logitechtom]

As a semi-permanent resident of Cotillo, I can't say I'm disappointed by this news. I know the participants enjoy it, but living close to the route of these tour's, I'm sure going to be grateful for the absence of that annoyingly drone of engines as they past by.

Tom

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

from RTVAguaCabra:

A single company has breached the regulations once, lifting the Environmental Unit of the police force the corresponding complaint

The precautionary measures applied by the City of La Oliva to control the activity of excursions of buggies and quads are fulfilling the expected objectives. The Environment Unit of the Local Police has been developing a monitoring and control system that has verified compliance with the rule by all notified companies, with the exception of one of them, to which the corresponding report of complaint was filed .

The UMA issued a report to a company of the sector, when it was located circulating with a dozen vehicles inside the town of El Cotillo, thus failing the first of the precautionary measures prohibiting "to circulate within 500 meters of towns and houses" (With the exception of general highways and crossings, because these latter are under the jurisdiction of the Cabildo). The other three restrictions imposed are the prohibition of opening new roads or tracks, the use of garages as workshops without the corresponding license the storage of fuel in premises or car parks.

During this procedure, local police officers have also located and required documentation from three other companies that make excursions on other types of vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles, in order to register their activity and incorporate it into the file processed by municipal legal services.

It should be remembered that, in response to the social alarm generated and to the indications that the excursions of buggies and quads could be developing without the corresponding permits, the City Council of La Oliva decreed last August 11 said precautionary measures , Giving the interested parties a period of 15 days to present the documentation proving that they have the necessary authorizations to carry out the activity.

The mayor of La Oliva and mayor of the area of ​​Public Safety, Isaí Blanco, congratulated the Local Police for the effectiveness of the device, and thanked all the neighbors and groups who during these ten days have collaborated with the city council, sending information and Images that have contributed to the police device.

Isaí Blanco emphasized again that the adoption of precautionary measures for this particular activity "has been an urgent decision that has been adopted in the face of the enormous social discontent, backed by more than 2,000 signatures of neighbors and numerous writings

Presented by individuals and companies. But we must also say that decisions are not taken because yes, but always according to legality and regulation. In this case, the information in our hands pointed to an activity that could be irregular and harmful to the territory, and therefore has been acted with firmness and immediately.

However, added the mayor, "this government group is aware that the tourism sector is the economic engine of the municipality, and therefore we can not only focus on putting a stop to harmful activities, but also offer an alternative to visit And enjoy our attractions in a sustainable and respectful way with the territory.

At the end of the 15 working days, on 1 September, the City Council will study the documentation provided by the notified companies and, consequently, adopt the corresponding measures in application of the Law and the municipal regulations.

Link with pictures
http://www.rtvaguacabra.com/noticias/la_polic_a_local_de_la_oliva_controla_el_cumplimiento_de_las_medidas_cautelares_aplicadas_a_las_excursiones_de_buggies_y_quads.html