Vilaflor Council declares war on the growing number of quad and buggy tours
The Vilaflor Town Council has taken a firm stance against the growing presence of quads and buggies on its rural roads, approving a motion urging the Tenerife Cabildo to impose urgent restrictions on their circulation. The council cites noise pollution, road safety hazards, and environmental degradation as key reasons for its call to action.
The motion, passed at the council’s October plenary session, argues that this type of activity is “incompatible with the essence of the municipality”, renowned for its tranquil, natural setting.
Growing Concern Over Noise and Safety
The council claims there has been a sharp rise in organised quad and buggy tours, often involving groups of more than 20 vehicles at a time. These convoys, it says, generate excessive noise that disturbs residents and visitors alike, violating Spain’s Noise Law (Law 37/2003).
The council warns that such activity not only disrupts the peace of this rural area but also creates dangerous traffic situations, with reckless overtaking and congestion on narrow, winding mountain roads, increasing risks for locals and other motorists.
Environmental Impact and “Tourism of Passage”
The council also highlights the environmental consequences, including soil erosion, dust emissions, and disturbance of wildlife caused by off-road driving near protected natural areas, in breach of the Law on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity.
Officials argue that the type of tourism promoted by these excursions contributes little to the local economy, fostering what they call “drive-through tourism” that offers minimal economic benefit while generating daily nuisance for residents.
Measures Proposed
The motion calls on the Cabildo to urgently commission a technical report assessing the impact of quad and buggy activity and to consider limitations on group size, speed, circulation hours, and permitted routes.
The council will also seek support from the Guardia Civil and the Directorate-General for Traffic to step up enforcement, alongside public awareness campaigns promoting sustainable and respectful tourism alternatives.
“Vilaflor has a responsibility to protect the well-being of its people, the value of its natural surroundings, and the safety of its infrastructure,” said local officials. “We must act firmly but within legal and technical frameworks to ensure that uncontrolled leisure activities do not compromise our municipality’s sustainable future.”
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