Motorcyclists in Spain: helmets, gloves and high-vis aren’t optional anymore… Spain’s traffic authority (DGT) is tightening the rules for riders after a grim year on the roads. From early 2025, motorcyclists must wear full-face or modular helmets and protective gloves as standard. You’ll also need reflective elements visible from 150 metres in poor light or at night, so you’re not invisible in drizzle or darkness. Training is getting tougher too: from July 1, licence courses ramp up with more on-road practice, meaning first solo rides should start with real traffic experience under the belt. One more change is on the way: in tailbacks, motorcycles will be authorised to use the hard shoulder at up to 30 km/h, with priority given to vehicles already entitled to that space – a safety valve designed to cut low-speed shunts while keeping jams orderly. Cyclists: be seen, use contraflow at 30 km/h – and ride two-abreast legally Cyclists face the same visibility push: reflective kit visible at 150 metres in the dark or when visibility drops. In urban streets limited to 30 km/h, there’s new flexibility in gridlock – bikes may ride contraflow, and in these zones riders are told to take the centre of the lane rather than hug the kerb, while drivers must keep a 1.5-metre safety gap. Group riding also gets clarity: clubs may ride two-abreast, staying as close as practical to the right-hand side to keep traffic flowing and overtakes predictable. Why the crackdown? The 2024 death toll forced action The DGT calls motorcyclists and cyclists ‘vulnerable users’ for a reason. Last year Spain recorded 286 motorcyclist deaths and 46 cyclist deaths following road crashes. The eight-point package sits alongside fresh awareness campaigns, and it’s built around one idea: make riders easier to see, better protected and better trained, while giving them safer options in the worst traffic conditions. The message for 2025 is blunt but fair — gear up, be visible, claim your space, and everyone gets home. Stay tuned with Euro Weekly News for more news from Spain