No more excuses for the August heat and the toughest hairpin bends. From today, October 1st, helmets must be worn at all times on Spanish extra-urban roads, without exceptions. It is the most visible effect of the Royal Decree 518/2026approved on June 24, which rewrites the General Circulation Regulation with the aim of protecting vulnerable road users. Among these, defined formally for the first time, there are also cyclists.
Helmet without exceptions outside residential areas
Until now, Spanish regulations allowed it to be removed during prolonged climbs, for documented medical reasons and in extreme temperatures. The reform eliminates all three exceptions. In the city, helmets remain optional for adults, while for children under 16 the obligation applies on any road. As for riders and bicycle couriers, they must wear a helmet and reflective vest at all times.
In the city in the center of the lane
In urban centres, the bike must preferably circulate in the center of the lane, if safety conditions allow it, a position that makes close overtaking more difficult. Cars following a cyclist in the same lane must stay at least 5 meters away. Finally, on single-lane roads with a speed limit of 30 km/h, Municipalities will be able to authorize two-way traffic for bicycles with specific signs.
Slower and wider overtaking
Outside the city the way of overtaking a bicycle changes. The motorist must reduce the speed by at least 20 km/h compared to the road limit: on a provincial road at 90 km/h overtaking cannot take place at more than 70. The minimum lateral distance of one and a half meters remains unchanged, and where the roadway has more than one lane in each direction it will be necessary to move completely to the next one.
