Spain sets minimum scooter age at 15 and makes helmets compulsory nationwide
The long-awaited changes take effect from October 1, bringing new rules for scooter riders, cyclists and motorcyclists across Spain
Electric scooter riders across Spain will soon face a new set of national rules after the Council of Ministers approved a major reform of the country's traffic regulations.
The changes, most of which will come into force on October 1, 2026, are designed to improve road safety and provide greater protection for people considered most at risk on Spain's roads.
Among the biggest changes is the introduction of a minimum age of 15 for electric scooter riders. Helmet use will also become compulsory nationwide, ending the patchwork of local regulations that currently varies from one municipality to another.
The new regulations also require scooters to have their lights switched on when in use and riders must wear reflective clothing at night or whenever visibility is poor. Anyone using a scooter for work purposes, such as delivery drivers, will have to wear a reflective vest at all times.
Failing to comply with these requirements could result in a €200 fine.
The reforms also expand where scooters can be used. In addition to urban areas, they will be permitted on cycle paths and other routes separated from motor traffic outside towns and cities.
Cyclists are also affected by the changes. Drivers overtaking bicycles will have to reduce their speed by at least 20km/h below the posted speed limit. On roads with more than one lane in each direction, motorists must move completely into the next lane when passing cyclists.
Several existing exceptions to helmet rules for cyclists are also being removed. Delivery riders using bicycles will now be required to wear both a helmet and a reflective vest.
In urban areas, cyclists will be allowed to ride in the centre of their lane, while motorists must leave at least five metres of space when travelling behind them. Local councils will also be able to authorise two-way cycling on streets with a single lane and speed limits of 30km/h or less.
Changes are coming down the line for motorcyclists too. Riding on the hard shoulder during traffic jams will be permitted on signposted stretches of road provided speeds do not exceed 30km/h. The new rules also make closed-toe footwear compulsory and require protective gloves on interurban roads. Approved helmets will be mandatory for moped riders.
The reform extends beyond two-wheeled transport. Pedestrians walking on interurban roads at night or in poor visibility will have to wear reflective clothing. During snowy conditions, drivers must keep to the right-hand lane, leaving the left lane clear for snowploughs and emergency vehicles.
The updated regulations also formally recognise safe school routes and, for the first time, introduce the legal concept of a "vulnerable road user". This includes people who are at greater risk of serious injury because of the way they travel or their personal circumstances.
According to the government, the reforms are designed to improve road safety and bring Spain into line with some of the most advanced road safety standards in Europe.
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