Overview
- Most of the Real Decreto 518/2026 changes become enforceable on October 1, 2026, with new age limits for personal mobility vehicles, night-time reflector and helmet rules, and expanded urban traffic rules now in force.
- The reform requires tougher protective gear for motorcyclists including closed footwear and gloves on interurban roads and mandates reflectors for delivery riders with typical fines of €200 for serious breaches while some equipment standards are delayed until October 1, 2027.
- Overtaking and lane rules have been tightened: drivers must give cyclists 1.5 meters lateral space and drop speed by at least 20 km/h when passing, multi-lane overtakes must change lanes, and drivers must form a central emergency lane in traffic jams.
- Implementation and signage are now the responsibility of regional and municipal governments, which must set local sanctions and traffic markings; some regions such as Catalonia have said they will not signal certain permissions, creating expected local variation.
- A parallel local law in Jalisco, Mexico, shows how jurisdictions can diverge by setting a 14‑year age floor for scooters, a 25 km/h cap and non-monetary penalties, while analysts say the rules’ safety gains will hinge on clear signs, local enforcement and better street design.