72 solar lights planned for bike lane linking Santiago de la Ribera and San Javier Airport

San Javier Town Hall says the new lighting will make the cycle route safer for cyclists travelling between Santiago de la Ribera and Los Alcázares

The San Javier Town Hall has announced plans to install around 72 solar-powered street lights along the RM-F34 bike lane. The route runs from Calle Cataluña in Santiago de la Ribera to the roundabout at San Javier Airport. At the moment, this part has a bike lane running alongside the fence of the Air Force Academy but no public lighting, making it difficult for cyclists and pedestrians to use it after dark.

Most of the RM-F34 already has street lighting, but this area is one of the few unlit sections. The new solar lights will improve visibility for cyclists and help drivers see the road more clearly. This will make the area much safer for everyone using it.

The bike lane is an important connection between Santiago de la Ribera and Los Alcázares. It also forms part of the main route around the Mar Menor in this area. Traffic increases significantly during the summer months, which makes better lighting even more important. The nearby seafront is not open to the public because it is part of a military zone, so the RM-F34 is the main route for anyone travelling around this part of the coastline. The road has been under municipal management since October 2016, allowing the council to plan and carry out improvements like this one.

The project is part of the Mirando al Mar Tourism Sustainability Plan, funded through the European Union’s Next Generation EU programme. This programme intends to improve walking and cycling routes across the municipality.

The council is also considering additional safety features, such as LED panels showing the speed limit and educational radars that alert drivers if they exceed it. These systems will also run on solar power.

Read also: San Javier's old airport chosen as a new European Space Agency hub

Image: Archive