Planning a cycling holiday in Tenerife? We’re thrilled to have you ride on the island, whether you rent a bike from us at Teide Cycling or not! To make sure your trip is as safe and enjoyable as possible, we’ve put together some essential safety tips and riding recommendations. Please take a few minutes to read through them carefully before hitting the road!

Bike Handling & Care

• Never lean the bike against the frame. Instead, use the saddle, handlebars, or wheel to support it when parked.

• Don’t place the bike on the ground or flip it upside down on the road.

• Bikes are allowed on buses, but we advise against it otherwise the bike might suffer consistent damage, so if you’re not riding back, you’ll need a rental car or taxi for transport.

• Never leave your bike unattended—not even for a minute and not even with a lock, keep an eye on it at all times!

• Store the bike in your hotel room overnight or in a locked room that the hotel has for bikes and luggage (All Hotels in Tenerife have this option). DO NOT leave the bike outside or in open garages/etc. 

Gear Use & Climbing Tips

• Use your gears properly:

  • Small chainring + big cassette

  • Big chainring + small cassette
    Avoid cross-chaining to keep the drivetrain in top condition.

• Shift to a larger cassette before a climb to make the ascent smoother and protect your drivetrain.

Terrain Restrictions

• No gravel roads—road bikes are designed for paved routes only.

• Avoid small side roads with extreme inclines of 20% to 30% unless you’re an experienced rider and ready for a serious challenge. This is probably the nr 1 thing to be aware of in Tenerife!

• Don’t plan your own routes (unless you know Tenerife very well) and watch out for the routes you find online. Most of them are wrong because they include secondary small roads with very steep inclines of 20% to 30%. Routes you find on the online apps like Strava, Komoot, Wikiloc and Garmin are just other people’s routes = other’s people’s mistakes! Take a look at our routes to be safe!

Road & Traffic Awareness

• The main roads are generally good, and local drivers are respectful, typically maintaining a 1.5-2.0 meter distance.

• Be alert at intersections and side streets—most drivers do not signal or check for cyclists! They come out on the main road without looking, they open the door without looking or they make a U-turn where they should not make it!

• Always ride defensively and anticipate potential risks. You do that best by being alert and going slow in the descent!

Weather & Altitude Considerations

• The ascent to Mount Teide is breathtaking but be prepared:

  • The middle section of the descent is often cold and cloudy, with temperatures ranging from 0 to 10°C.

  • Bring a windproof jacket, gloves, and layers for warmth.

• Brake discs can overheat on long descents. Brake intermittently, and if you’re descending from Teide, take a 10–20-minute coffee break halfway down to let the discs cool.

City Hazards

• Watch out for sewage/drainage grates, especially in urban areas.

  • They can trap your wheel if approached head-on—cross them at an angle.

  • Avoid riding in the dark, after 6:00 PM  in winter when visibility drops and these hazards are harder to see.

Clothing and Accessories 

• Wear bright colors: we understand that black and dark blue colors are very fashionable, but they are NOT very safe, prefer tones of green, yellow, orange and red!
• Bike lights are a plus especially in the clouds but on a sunny day, bright-colored clothing will make you more visile!

Need a Quick Adjustment?

If your bike needs a tune-up or adjustment, drop by our shop between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM—we’ll be happy to help you out.

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Thanks for taking the time to read these tips. Safety is key to enjoying the beautiful, challenging roads of Tenerife. We can’t wait to see you on the road—ride safe and have fun! And if you want to rent some bikes, check our bikes here or contact us!

See you soon!
Teide Cycling Team