The proposed ordinance that governs the operation of bicycles and scooters has been authorised by the Governing Board. In order to provide users with an opportunity to comprehend their responsibilities as drivers of these personal mobility vehicles, the regulations will not be implemented until January 1st, 2026.

Pablo Ruz, the mayor of Elche, has declared that the minimum age for operating scooters has been reduced from 16 to 14 years of age in order to enhance the mobility of students. Additionally, scooter riders will be prohibited from operating on sidewalks, regardless of whether they are assigned a designated cycle lane, or on pedestrian streets. It is mandatory for them to possess civil liability insurance issued by insurance companies and ride on roads or cycle paths while wearing a helmet. It is also possible to be prohibited from operating a scooter with more than one person. Similarly, electric scooters are permitted to operate on the hard shoulder of intercity roads, provided that they are equipped with lighting and a helmet. Nevertheless, motorcycles that are not motorised are prohibited from operating on public roads.

Helmets will not be mandatory for bicycles, with the exception of minors under the age of fourteen. They are permitted to travel at a maximum speed of ten kilometres per hour on single-track platforms, such as the Corredora, and on wide streets. Additionally, headphones will be prohibited for cyclists.

Despite the mayor’s assurance that this regulation is not intended to impose penalties, fines of 75 euros have been established for less serious cases. Serious cases, such as not wearing a helmet, being under the minimum age, not having insurance, or riding on the sidewalk, are subject to a fine of 200 euros. Very serious cases, such as drunk driving, are subject to a fine of 500 euros. Pablo Ruz underscored that the objective of this regulation is to regulate the operation of bicycles and motorcycles in order to guarantee public safety. Ruz clarified that hospitals have reported an increase in the number of scooter-related accidents in recent months.

Chiringuitos will not be accessible on Torrevieja’s beaches this Easter. Tourists anxiously anticipate the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing beverage on the sand, but neither residents nor visitors will be able to do so. The reason is that the tender for the concession to operate seasonal food and refreshment services on Torrevieja’s beaches was not submitted in a timely manner. The Public Sector Procurement Portal published it at the beginning of the month, and the deadline for submitting proposals is next Monday, 24th March.

Ten chiringuitos have been advertised for tender. Each one corresponds to a unique lot, and no more than one is permitted. The City Council’s objective is to increase the number of candidates entitled to receive one of these establishments.

In contrast to other municipalities, such as Orihuela, Torrevieja has established a uniform, standardised fee for each beach establishment. Every respondent is required to provide a minimum of €8,060 annually. Any proposal that exceeds this minimum will be the deciding factor.

The municipal coffers will receive a minimum of 322,000 euros in fees for the seaside bars over the course of the years 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028, as the contract is for these years.

Seven in La Mata

A total of ten beach bars will be provided, as indicated by the technical specifications and the explanatory report. These will be dispersed across three shores. Seven beach establishments are available in La Mata, including two on Los Náufragos beach and one on Los Locos beach. The dimensions of each of these seashore bars must be identical. They are prohibited from occupying a total of 70 square meters, with 20 square meters designated for the beach bar and 50 square meters for the terrace. Furthermore, the seaside bar must be accompanied by a 10-square-metre restroom. The infrastructure must be dismantled by the successful candidates at the conclusion of each season.

A season that commences on March 15th and concludes on October 31st. Therefore, it is evident that the inaugural season will commence several weeks or even months after the application deadline has expired, as the contracting committee is required to evaluate and ultimately award the contract.

This tender, which was initiated in early December of last year following the expiration of the previous contract, is scheduled to come mere days before Easter. The installation of the shoreline bars in La Mata was delayed until the last day of March last year, as the Ministry of the Environment required authorisation after confirming that the Kentish Plover, a vulnerable species, did not nest in the area.

Torrevieja is conducting an earthquake exercise today, Friday March 21st. Federico Alarcón, Councillor for Security and Emergencies, proclaimed that the city is conducting this drill to “be prepared in case something similar happens again, God forbid,” concomitant with the tragedy that occurred in 1829 as a result of an earthquake that impacted the entire Vega Baja region. Additionally, the councillor underscores the significance of “mutual understanding” among all agencies involved in an emergency situation, such as an earthquake. Efficient mitigation necessitates the manner in which those who are required to respond to a catastrophe do so. In reality, this exercise will involve a variety of entities, including the Red Cross, Civil Guard, Civil Protection, Local Police, SAMU (National Emergency Management Service), and firefighters.

The earthquake exercise will be conducted in three phases, as per Tomás Jesús Gallardo, the head of the Torrevieja Main Fire Station. The initial phase, “phase 0”, will involve a seismic alert. During this period, a Municipal Operational Coordination Centre (CECOPAL) will be established to determine whether the municipality’s schools should be evacuated in the event of “the imminent occurrence of a hypothetical earthquake”. The intervening bodies will concentrate on resolving the situation in the second phase, with a particular emphasis on the Sports Palace and the Las Lagunas Secondary School. Lastly, the “normalisation phase” will involve a press conference to provide an update on the seismic event, the response, and its repercussions.

The Councillor for Security and Emergencies emphasised that this is merely an exercise, as numerous residents mistakenly contact emergency services during these drills, believing them to be genuine emergencies. Indeed, Torrevieja is scheduled to host the weekly Friday market during the exercise, which commences at 9:30 a.m. Federico Alarcón says that the exercise will not encounter any difficulties due to this market. He also stated that it is advantageous that the potential earthquake does not occur at a time that is convenient for all parties involved.