Pro Cyclist Fined €100 for Earphone Use While Training in Spain

In a recent development affecting the cycling community, Norwegian professional cyclist Johannes Staune-Mittet faced an unexpected setback during his pre-season training in Alicante, Spain. He was issued a €100 penalty by local authorities for using earphones while riding his bicycle. This incident has brought to light the varying legal frameworks governing cyclists' use of personal audio devices across different countries, sparking conversations about safety and regulatory awareness within the sport.

Professional Cyclist Johannes Staune-Mittet Encounters Spanish Traffic Law Infraction During Training

On Monday, December 2, 2025, during an intense 73-kilometer training session near Calpe in Spain's Alicante province, 23-year-old Johannes Staune-Mittet, a rider for Decathlon CMA CGM, was stopped by Spanish traffic police. The infraction cited was his use of Apple AirPods, which contravenes Spain's Reglamento General de Circulacion. This regulation imposes a ban on both motorists and cyclists from using headphones or earphones connected to devices that receive or play sound, with potential fines reaching up to €200. Staune-Mittet, by opting for prompt payment, managed to reduce his fine to €100. This incident underscores a key difference in traffic laws, as countries like the United Kingdom currently permit cyclists to wear headphones.

Staune-Mittet, who is widely regarded as a rising star in professional cycling following his victory at the 2023 Giro Next Gen, expressed his surprise in a Strava post, humorously suggesting that cyclists might need to consider less 'fashionable' out-of-ear headphones to avoid similar penalties. This occurrence adds to a broader discussion on the safety of cycling with earphones. A 2018 Dutch study highlighted that headphones could impair a cyclist's perception of critical ambient sounds. Public sentiment, as indicated by various surveys, generally leans towards prohibiting earphones for cyclists, with a 2014 BBC poll showing nine out of ten people in favor of such a ban. Furthermore, this is not an isolated incident; a student in France last year faced a hefty €400 fine for a similar offense, only discovering the penalty when funds were blocked in his bank account, illustrating the stringent enforcement of these rules in some European nations.

The incident involving Johannes Staune-Mittet serves as a critical reminder for athletes and recreational cyclists alike about the importance of understanding and adhering to local traffic regulations. As cycling increasingly globalizes and training often takes place across different jurisdictions, awareness of such specific laws becomes paramount. This event not only prompts a review of personal practices but also fuels the ongoing debate regarding the balance between personal preference for music or podcasts during rides and the overriding concern for road safety. It highlights the need for clear communication and education about these rules to prevent future misunderstandings and ensure the safety of all road users.