Key data
| Regulation | Royal Decree 518/2026, of June 24, which modifies the General Traffic Regulation (Royal Decree 1428/2003) |
|---|---|
| Publication | June 26, 2026 |
| Entry into force | June 26, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Motorcyclists, cyclists, VMP drivers, delivery riders and motorhome users |
| Category | Regulatory Changes |
| Year | 2026 |
| Modified regulation | General Traffic Regulation, approved by Royal Decree 1428/2003, of November 21 |
If your company has delivery riders on motorcycles, bicycles or scooters, this regulation affects you from today. The Royal Decree 518/2026 modifies the General Traffic Regulation and introduces specific equipment and traffic obligations that are already in force. There is no adaptation period: the regulation came into force on the same day of its publication, June 26, 2026.
The reform affects both private and professional drivers, but the most direct implications for companies are those related to the mandatory use of personal protective equipment when working on two wheels.
What does this regulation establish?
Royal Decree 518/2026 introduces changes on several fronts of the General Traffic Regulation. Below is the complete detail of each new obligation:
| Group | New obligation | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcyclists and moped riders | Protective gloves, closed footwear and approved helmet | Interurban roads |
| Professional cyclists | Mandatory helmet use | All roads |
| Motorcycle, bicycle and VMP drivers working professionally | High-visibility reflective vest | All types of roads |
| Drivers overtaking cyclists | Reduce speed by 20 km/h below the limit + maintain 1.5 m lateral separation | Interurban roads |
| Motorhome users | First specific parking regulation | Roads in general |
Additionally, the regulation creates a new title VI in the General Traffic Regulation with specific rules for urban areas, strengthening sustainable mobility and expanding municipal autonomy to regulate traffic on its streets.
Economic and operational impact
For companies with delivery fleets or workers who travel by motorcycle, bicycle or VMP, the most immediate impact is the cost of equipping each worker with the now mandatory elements:
- High-visibility reflective vest: mandatory for all professional motorcycle, bicycle and VMP drivers on any type of road. If your company has delivery riders, they must wear it at all times, not just at night.
- Protective gloves and closed footwear: mandatory for motorcyclists and moped riders on interurban roads. If delivery riders do interurban routes, the equipment must be available.
- Approved helmet: was already mandatory for motorcyclists, but is now explicitly extended to professional cyclists.
From an operational perspective, the rule for overtaking cyclists (reduce 20 km/h and maintain 1.5 m) directly affects van and delivery vehicle drivers who travel on interurban roads. Failure to comply with this rule can result in traffic fines for the driver and, depending on company policy, in liabilities for the employer.
The new regulation of motorhome parking, although it does not affect most companies, is relevant for the vehicle tourism sector and motorhome area operators.
Who does it affect?
- Delivery and last-mile logistics companies with delivery riders on motorcycles, bicycles or VMP (scooters, etc.).
- Delivery platforms (riders and messengers): obligation to wear reflective vest at all times and on any road.
- Companies with motorcycle fleets for professional use (insurance, inspections, technical services).
- Professional cyclists and cycling teams: mandatory helmet in competition and training.
- Private drivers who travel on interurban roads and overtake cyclists.
- Motorhome users and motorhome area operators: first specific parking regulation.
- Municipalities and urban mobility managers: the new title VI expands their regulatory capacity.
Practical example
Imagine a delivery company with 15 motorcycle delivery riders covering both urban and interurban routes. Before June 26, 2026, the reflective vest was only mandatory in certain circumstances. Now, all delivery riders must wear it at all times, regardless of the type of road or time of day.
Additionally, when any of those delivery riders travels on an interurban road, they must wear protective gloves and closed footwear. If on that same route they encounter a cyclist they need to overtake, they are required to reduce their speed to 20 km/h below the road limit and maintain at least 1.5 meters of lateral separation.
The cost of equipping each delivery rider with an approved reflective vest, protective gloves and appropriate footwear is manageable per unit, but the company must review its PPE allocation protocol and ensure that all workers comply from now on, without waiting for an inspection.
What should companies do now?
- Identify which workers are affected: any employee who drives a motorcycle, bicycle or VMP professionally must wear a high-visibility reflective vest on all types of roads from June 26, 2026.
- Review and update PPE inventory: verify that all delivery riders and professional drivers have reflective vests, protective gloves and closed footwear if they perform interurban routes.
- Update internal road safety protocols: include the new rule for overtaking cyclists (20 km/h reduction and 1.5 m separation) in the company's driver training and driving manuals.
- Communicate changes to workers: inform all professional drivers in writing about the new obligations, especially the use of the vest at all times.
- Review contracts with delivery platforms: if your company subcontracts delivery services, verify that riders comply with the regulation, as non-compliance can generate liabilities.
- Consult the new title VI if you operate in urban environments and need to know the new sustainable mobility framework and expanded municipal competencies.
Frequently asked questions
Since when is the reflective vest mandatory for delivery riders on motorcycles or bicycles?
Since June 26, 2026, the date Royal Decree 518/2026 came into force. There is no transitional period: the obligation is immediate for all professional motorcycle, bicycle and VMP drivers on all types of roads.
What equipment must motorcyclists carry on interurban roads according to the new regulation?
Royal Decree 518/2026 requires motorcyclists and moped riders on interurban roads to have: protective gloves, closed footwear and approved helmet. These three elements are mandatory simultaneously on this type of road.
At what distance must you overtake a cyclist on the road from June 2026?
When overtaking cyclists on interurban roads, the regulation requires maintaining a minimum lateral separation of 1.5 meters and reducing speed to 20 km/h below the limit established on that road.
Are professional cyclists required to wear a helmet?
Yes. Royal Decree 518/2026 establishes mandatory helmet use for professional cyclists. This obligation is added to those already existing for other groups.
What changes for motorhomes with this regulation?
Royal Decree 518/2026 regulates motorhome parking for the first time in a specific way. Until now, there was no specific regulation in the General Traffic Regulation for this type of vehicle.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Notice: This article is purely informational in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-13889