It has been rumored for a long time, but today, the Government has officially announced modifications to the General Traffic Regulations. These changes target various vulnerable users, including electric scooter riders, cyclists, and pedestrians, along with stipulations for taxi professionals.
The Ministry of the Interior held a press conference following the Council of Ministers to detail these updates. They aim to modernize rules that have become outdated amid rapidly changing urban mobility trends, particularly the rise of electric scooter usage. All changes will come into effect on October 1.
Updating the Standard
While municipalities and the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) have enacted adjustments to accommodate the influx of electric scooter use, significant changes have now been finalized. Below are the primary updates categorized by user type.
Electric Scooters
- Riders must now be at least 15 years old to operate electric scooters.
- During nighttime or low visibility conditions, riders will be required to wear reflective vests, helmets, and have lights on their scooters. This regulation applies to professional users at all times.
- In urban areas, scooters must travel on roads, while outside urban areas they can only use segregated paths like bike lanes.
- Scooters must adhere to European technical standards, including a maximum speed limit of 25 km/h.
- Non-adherence to these rules will incur a fine of 200 euros.
Bikers
- Motorcyclists must always wear gloves, whether as the driver or passenger.
- Drivers will be required to wear closed-toed shoes; flip-flops are prohibited.
- In traffic jams, motorcyclists may use the shoulder but must not exceed 30 km/h.
- Only approved helmets will be considered compliant.
- Professionals using motorcycles for transport must wear a reflective vest.
- Fines for non-compliance are set at 200 euros.
Cyclists
- Cyclists must have mandatory lighting activated when traveling on interurban routes.
- Those using bicycles for work are required to wear a reflective vest in both urban and interurban settings.
- On urban roads, cyclists should position themselves in the center of the lane for better visibility.
- Cyclists are permitted to ride against traffic on one-way streets with a speed limit of 30 km/h.
- Non-compliance will also result in a 200-euro fine.
Drivers
- Drivers overtaking cyclists on interurban roads must reduce their speed by 20 km/h from the maximum posted speed.
- On single-lane roads, they need to occupy the whole adjacent lane, maintaining a minimum distance of 1.5 meters from cyclists.
- In urban environments, a safety distance of at least five meters must be maintained.
- When passing immobilized vehicles (due to accidents or maintenance), the same 1.5-meter rule and a speed reduction of 20 km/h apply.
- During snowfall, overtaking will be prohibited to facilitate emergency vehicle traffic.
- In traffic jams, when moving slowly, drivers must clear a lane for emergency services.
Professional Drivers
- Taxi drivers, commercial vehicle operators, and driving school professionals must keep seat belts fastened at all times, regardless of location.
- Only co-pilots in ambulances on emergency calls are exempt from this rule.
Motorhomes
- New regulations state that motorhomes cannot extend objects beyond their perimeter (e.g., awnings) or discharge fluids while parked.
As cities evolve along with user behavior, these regulations serve to protect both vulnerable users and ensure a more harmonious traffic environment. Compliance will not only enhance safety but also result in fewer penalties as the transition to this new framework unfolds.