Tenerife once again imposes sanctions for irregular activities on the trails within the protected areas of the Island, attributed to enhanced surveillance by forestry agents, in collaboration with the Canarian Police and Seprona of the Civil Guard. The Natural Environment department of the Tenerife Cabildo has recently enforced fines exceeding 1,000 euros on four cyclists discovered engaging in mountain and downhill biking on restricted paths.
In one instance, officials from the regional security force reported two individuals who were riding downhill from the Arafo volcano, specifically from La Crucita to the location known as Pedro Gil Caldera. These routes and all surrounding areas are safeguarded, as they form part of the Forest Crown of Tenerife.
Both cyclists received a fine of 1,600 euros each. The sanctions were issued not only for violating the restrictions on these trails but also for inflicting damage on these natural areas and jeopardising the safety of those traversing these routes in the pine forest of southern Tenerife, by riding at excessive speeds in areas frequented by families.
According to forestry agents, the erosion caused by these activities is far more severe than one might envision. They further note that the path where the Canarian Police apprehended these two cyclists is currently undergoing rehabilitation and had suffered significant damage during the summer fire in 2023 that devastated the Forest Crown.
These unlawful activities inflict significant harm on protected areas and endanger hikers.
Two additional cyclists were fined 1,400 euros each for engaging in mountain biking on another protected trail in Las Lagunetas, most of which faces the Island’s northern slope. The reasons outlined in the case files remain consistent: venturing into forbidden zones, endangering hikers, and damaging areas of immense natural significance in Tenerife.
Mountain biking, across its various forms, has emerged as a serious concern for the agents overseeing the preservation of Tenerife’s natural environment. Irregular practices have proliferated, and a minority of practitioners are particularly uncooperative when confronted. Instances have arisen where they refuse to provide identification, despite the authority wielded by environmental agents.
The Cabildo has intensified surveillance through collaboration with the Canarian Police and the Civil Guard
These four sanctions come just four months after the Natural Environment Department of the Cabildo penalised three renowned Spanish mountain biking athletes with fines of 3,300 euros each for racing at high speeds on trails located in protected natural areas on the Island. Among those penalised are Édgar Carballo, a 35-year-old local from Tenerife who has become an icon amongst mountain bike enthusiasts, alongside two other prominent national riders, The Catalan Álex Marín and the Valencian Adrián Palau.
