The 2014 Ley de Seguridad Ciudadana - translates roughly to Public Security Law, but it’s been more commonly referred to as la Ley Mordaza, or the Gag Law. This criminalised showing insufficient respect to a police officer, protesting in public, and not having identification on you. Notably, it also outlaws the filming of police. Offenses are punishable by a fine, as high as €30,000 in the case of filming the police and up to €600,000 for offenses like protesting near utilities, transportation hubs, nuclear power plants or similar facilities. Smart move deleting that film!
I know you are asking Darren, but I too have been riding bike for quite a bit longer. I have only had issues once and that was due to my seat height and the degrees of float absent from my pedals. I got patella-femoral syndrome which lasted for months. Once I fixed my bicycle set up and took a break from biking it finally, slowly, went away. It is better to have a good cadence rather than “grind” gears.
This was useful to share this. I have had simpler experiences in Europe where I live. Basically they picked on you because they can, its because many countries in Europe have not come out of the historical shadow of dictatorship. Did you know in Germany when cycling on a cycle path next a street you are by law suppose to travel in the same direction as the lane of traffic closest to you. Like you I have had encounter with the police in Spain when taking holiday snaps. I have been shouted at from a public address system for taking a picture of the lady I was with in on a subway platform. Once in Italy I was held up at gun point, automatic guns, by the Carabinieri. I agree is was dark but on late maybe 8 in the evening. It was poo in the pants stuff, by the time I realized there was a whole bunch of them parked in a pull-off from the street I could not turn back and just kept going, they then turned a large search light mounted on one of the cars blinding me and the next several minutes I was in the line of fire walking towards them with my hands way out from my sides. My general advice is ask if you can take a picture before doing so.
Oh! Comments allowed. I don't know about Spain but you can not photograph ANYONE in France in public or not without their permission. Maybe that has changed. Pretty hard to enforce. And very tourist-UNfriendly. I live in Vancouver and once a tourist or 'newcomer' (not from France) accosted ME for taking street photos. I was, but not of her. I tried to explain to her Canadian law to no avail.
I thought you were on a trek in Alaska and some guy in a truck told you you couldn't film his private property., but that may've been some other bike trekker.
The warden threw a party in the county jail The prison band was there, and they began to wail The band was jumpin', and the joint began to swing You should've heard them knocked out jailbirds sing Let's rock Everybody, let's rock Everybody in the whole cell block Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Had a similar experience in Kyiv a few weeks ago when taking a picture of the Dnipro River from a bridge. A person in camouflage stopped me and walked me back across the bridge where another uniformed person also with an AK-74 took my phone and deleted some pictures. The first one Google translated a sign in Ukrainian saying "photo fenced."
I wish Kevin and you would just do one more long trip together :)
Always enjoy your video's. Just one question, how's Kevin doing in Australia?
When I was visiting my daughter in Spain, she warned me on a couple of occasions that it was illegal to take photos of the police in Spain.
The 2014 Ley de Seguridad Ciudadana - translates roughly to Public Security Law, but it’s been more commonly referred to as la Ley Mordaza, or the Gag Law. This criminalised showing insufficient respect to a police officer, protesting in public, and not having identification on you. Notably, it also outlaws the filming of police. Offenses are punishable by a fine, as high as €30,000 in the case of filming the police and up to €600,000 for offenses like protesting near utilities, transportation hubs, nuclear power plants or similar facilities. Smart move deleting that film!
Do you have anymore tours planned ?
I just completed 20 days of bike touring in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. I'm working to edit the videos now. Coming soon!!!
I love your videos. Thanks!
Glad you like them!
Darren, you have been biking for about 20 years now and you have never had issues with your knees?
I know you are asking Darren, but I too have been riding bike for quite a bit longer. I have only had issues once and that was due to my seat height and the degrees of float absent from my pedals. I got patella-femoral syndrome which lasted for months. Once I fixed my bicycle set up and took a break from biking it finally, slowly, went away. It is better to have a good cadence rather than “grind” gears.
This was useful to share this. I have had simpler experiences in Europe where I live. Basically they picked on you because they can, its because many countries in Europe have not come out of the historical shadow of dictatorship. Did you know in Germany when cycling on a cycle path next a street you are by law suppose to travel in the same direction as the lane of traffic closest to you. Like you I have had encounter with the police in Spain when taking holiday snaps. I have been shouted at from a public address system for taking a picture of the lady I was with in on a subway platform. Once in Italy I was held up at gun point, automatic guns, by the Carabinieri. I agree is was dark but on late maybe 8 in the evening. It was poo in the pants stuff, by the time I realized there was a whole bunch of them parked in a pull-off from the street I could not turn back and just kept going, they then turned a large search light mounted on one of the cars blinding me and the next several minutes I was in the line of fire walking towards them with my hands way out from my sides. My general advice is ask if you can take a picture before doing so.
you should come to Indonesia, you can make a video & photos of police & military persons with their smile.....
Enjoyed your story.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Oh! Comments allowed. I don't know about Spain but you can not photograph ANYONE in France in public or not without their permission. Maybe that has changed. Pretty hard to enforce. And very tourist-UNfriendly.
I live in Vancouver and once a tourist or 'newcomer' (not from France) accosted ME for taking street photos. I was, but not of her. I tried to explain to her Canadian law to no avail.
I thought you were on a trek in Alaska and some guy in a truck told you you couldn't film his private property., but that may've been some other bike trekker.
I also remember that story, I think it was by him - it was way out in the bush, as it were.
The warden threw a party in the county jail
The prison band was there, and they began to wail
The band was jumpin', and the joint began to swing
You should've heard them knocked out jailbirds sing
Let's rock
Everybody, let's rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
thx. long time dont see
Not your lucky day in Spain, safe ride bro
Hai darren, how are you? Loves from India. 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🙂👍🏻👍🏻❤️❤️❤️
La Rambla. You should remember that name ;-)
Had a similar experience in Kyiv a few weeks ago when taking a picture of the Dnipro River from a bridge. A person in camouflage stopped me and walked me back across the bridge where another uniformed person also with an AK-74 took my phone and deleted some pictures. The first one Google translated a sign in Ukrainian saying "photo fenced."
What happened to the dog in Ukraine? (just watched it). You are obviously a kind decent man.
You mean La Ramblas... Watch out, many pickpockets and bag and jewelry snatches!!
Yup in spain they cant be filmed, you know for a better police safespace 🙄