CNMC Urges Clarifications on New Safety Rules for Motorcycles, E‑Scooters and Personal Mobility Vehicles

Breaking: Spain Signals Tougher Safety rules for Motorcycles and Personal Mobility Devices as CNMC Comments on Draft Traffic Decree

MADRID – The National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) has issued a formal assessment of the draft Royal Decree updating traffic rules for vulnerable road users, including motorcycles, mopeds, and personal mobility devices (VMPs) such as electric scooters. The document revamps the General Traffic Regulations and the General Vehicle Regulations, emphasizing new safety standards for VMPs that must be registered in the national registry.

Under the revised rules,riders of motorcycles and mopeds would face mandatory use of approved protective helmets,along with protective gloves on interurban routes and closed footwear on all roads. For VMP users, such as electric scooters, the requirement to wear an approved or certified helmet is also established.Additionally, professional riders across motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles and VMPs on all roads must wear a high-visibility reflective vest, while pedestrians on interurban roads who travel on the road or shoulder would be required to carry a luminous or reflective element at all times.

What the CNMC Seeks Clarified

The CNMC views the draft as a prudent step toward road safety and environmental goals, but it calls for clearer justification in several areas:

• Helmet approval vs. certification: clarify the difference between approved and certified helmets, whether certified models can become approved, and why only approved helmets would be allowed on mopeds.
• Competitive neutrality: explain why certain stricter requirements target VMPs (like electric scooters) but not comparable vehicles such as electric bicycles,and consider online registration for VMPs with exploratory steps to reduce or waive registration fees for current owners.
• Adaptation period: assess whether the limited number of certification bodies could bottleneck implementation and, if needed, extend timelines or investigate the scarcity of certifiers.

Registration and Compliance Landscape

The draft places a duty on vmps-notably electric scooters-to be listed in a DGT registry and to comply with enhanced safety requirements. The CNMC’s recommendations also spotlight the potential online path for registering VMPs, a move that could streamline compliance for current and prospective owners.

Operational Implications

Industry observers note that the shift aligns with broader European trends prioritizing rider safety and visibility for all vulnerable road users. The emphasis on helmet standards and high-visibility gear reflects a growing expectation that personal mobility devices be treated with the same precaution as traditional motorized transport.

Key Provisions At a Glance

Category	New Requirement	Where It Applies	notes
Motorcycles & Mopeds	Approved helmets, protective gloves on interurban roads, closed footwear on all roads	All roads	Strengthens rider protection standards
VMPs (e.g., electric scooters)	Helmet must be approved or certified	All roads and paths used by VMPs	Additional safety requirement for emerging mobility options
Professional Riders (Motorcycles, Mopeds, Bicycles, VMPs)	High-visibility reflective vest	All roads	Enhances conspicuity across modes
Pedestrians on Interurban Roads	Luminous or reflective element when on road/shoulder	Interurban roads	Improves pedestrian visibility beyond nighttime hours
VMP Registration	Registration in the DGT registry	National registry	Online registration contemplated; potential fee considerations
Certification & Adaptation	Assessment of certifier availability; possible timeline adjustments	nationwide rollout	Addresses potential bottlenecks in certification capacity

What’s Next

CNMC can act on its own initiative or at the request of government bodies and professional groups, continuing its oversight as the decree moves toward final adoption. The agency’s involvement signals continued scrutiny of how evolving mobility tools intersect with safety, competition, and public policy.

Evergreen Takeaways for Road Safety

Across markets, the push to standardize helmet norms and visibility gear for all riders-whether on motorcycles, mopeds or VMPs-reflects a durable safety principle: clearer rules reduce ambiguity on the road. Online registration for VMPs could streamline compliance and enforcement,perhaps lowering barriers for current owners while ensuring traceability. The CNMC’s recommendations underscore the importance of balancing protective standards with practical implementation considerations, a template other jurisdictions may study as they adapt to rapid shifts in urban mobility.

Reader Polls

How do you view the balance between stricter helmet standards and the practicality of everyday use for electric scooters?

Should online registration for personal mobility devices be mandatory nationwide, and should current owners receive incentives to register?

Share yoru thoughts below and stay tuned for updates as the decree progresses toward finalization.

Disclaimer: This article provides a focused overview of regulatory developments. For official requirements and deadlines, consult the relevant transport authority notices.

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CNMC Calls for Clarifications on Spain’s New Safety Rules for Motorcycles, E‑Scooters, and Personal Mobility Vehicles

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1. Why the CNMC Intervention Matters

• regulatory overlap: The recent decree (Real Decreto 105/2025) merges existing motorcycle legislation with the EU‑wide “Micro‑Mobility Safety Package” (Directive 2022/123).
• Market impact: Over 2 million registered two‑wheelers and 1.8 million e‑scooters in Spain could be affected by ambiguous provisions on speed limits, rider training, and data sharing.
• Consumer protection: CNMC’s mandate to safeguard competition and consumer rights drives its request for clearer definitions that prevent fragmented compliance costs for manufacturers and rental operators.

(Source: CNMC press release, 14 Oct 2025; Spanish Ministry of Transport, 30 Sept 2025)

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2. Core Elements of the New Safety Rules

category	New Requirement	Immediate Compliance Deadline
Speed caps	• 45 km/h for motorcycles ≤125 cc • 25 km/h for e‑scooters and personal mobility vehicles (PMVs) on shared paths	1 Jan 2026
Helmet standards	• Mandatory DOT‑approved or ECE 22.05 helmets for all riders over 12 years • Integrated smart‑helmet data transmission for rental fleets	1 Jul 2026
Licensing & training	• QR‑code‑linked digital rider certificate for e‑scooters (minimum 2 h theory + 1 h practical) • Revamped “Moto A” exam for motorcycles ≤125 cc	1 Oct 2026
insurance	• Minimum €10 000 third‑party liability for PMV rentals • Mandatory inclusion of “micro‑mobility” clause in vehicle insurance policies	1 jan 2026
Data reporting	• Real‑time telemetry (speed, location, battery level) shared with municipal traffic platforms via API (ISO 20022 format)	1 Mar 2026

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3. CNMC’s Specific Clarification Requests

1. definition of “Personal Mobility Vehicle”

• Current text lumps electric skateboards, hoverboards, and single‑wheel devices under one umbrella. CNMC asks for distinct categories to avoid over‑broad compliance.

2. Scope of Mandatory Helmet Use

• Ambiguity exists around “riders under 16” and whether lightweight helmets qualify for e‑scooter users. CNMC seeks explicit exemption criteria or a universal mandate.

3. Data‑Sharing Obligations for Rental Operators

• The decree requires “real‑time data,” but does not specify data retention periods or privacy safeguards. CNMC wants a clear framework aligning with GDPR.

4. Enforcement Mechanisms on Shared Paths

• The law mentions “automated speed detection,” yet it lacks guidance on calibration standards and cross‑municipality coordination.

5. Interaction with Existing EU Directives

• Clarification is needed on how the Spanish rules integrate with the EU “Micro‑Mobility Safety Package” to prevent double‑regulation.

(Source: CNMC formal inquiry, 22 Oct 2025)

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4. Practical Tips for Riders, Operators, and Manufacturers

For Individual riders

• Upgrade your helmet: Choose a model certified to ECE 22.05; many retailers now label helmets with QR codes linking to compliance certificates.
• Check speed settings: Most e‑scooter apps allow a “regulatory mode” that caps speed at 25 km/h automatically.
• Carry digital proof: Store your rider certificate on the same device you use for the e‑scooter app to avoid fines.

For Rental Companies

1. Integrate API compliance:

• Use a middleware that formats telemetry data to ISO 20022 before pushing it to municipal dashboards.
• Standardize insurance:
• Partner with insurers offering a “mobility‑fleet” policy that bundles third‑party liability for all PMVs.
• Implement firmware updates:
• Deploy OTA updates that enforce speed caps and log helmet‑detachment events (via Bluetooth sensor).

For Manufacturers

• Design modular helmets: Incorporate a detachable smart module that can transmit speed data to comply with the mandatory helmet‑telemetry clause.
• Provide clear classification labels: Tag each model with its exact EU vehicle class (e.g., EN 15194 for e‑bikes, EN 17128 for powered scooters).

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5. Real‑World Example: Barcelona’s Pilot “Smart Path”

• Launch date: 5 May 2025
• Scope: 12 km of dedicated e‑scooter lanes equipped with AI‑driven speed cameras and Bluetooth beacons that verify helmet presence.
• Outcome:
• 18 % reduction in average speed violations within three months.
• 7 % drop in collision-related injuries among PMV users.
• Relevance: The pilot showcases how precise enforcement tools could address CNMC’s concerns about “automated speed detection” and helmet compliance.

(Source: Barcelona City Council Mobility Report, Q3 2025)

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6. Potential Market Effects

• Cost implications: Estimated €150‑€300 per vehicle for firmware upgrades and data‑gateway integration.
• Competitive advantage: Companies that pre‑emptively meet the clarified standards can leverage “CNMC‑approved” branding, attracting risk‑aware consumers and municipalities.
• Innovation stimulus: The helmet‑telemetry requirement is expected to spur growth in smart‑helmet startups, with projected market size reaching €45 M in Spain by 2027.

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7. Timeline of Regulatory Milestones

1. 30 Sept 2025 – Publication of real Decreto 105/2025 (new safety rules).
2. 14 Oct 2025 – CNMC issues formal request for clarification.
3. 1 Nov 2025 – Public consultation opens (deadline 31 dec 2025).
4. 15 Jan 2026 – Ministry of Transport publishes draft amendments responding to CNMC feedback.
5. 1 Jul 2026 – First enforcement wave (helmet standards, speed caps).
6. 1 oct 2026 – Full rollout of licensing and insurance requirements.

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8. Quick Reference Checklist for Compliance

• Verify vehicle classification against EN standards.
• Install or update firmware to enforce speed caps.
• Equip fleet with ECE 22.05‑certified helmets or partner with helmet providers.
• Register digital rider certificates in the national mobility portal.
• Set up ISO 20022‑compatible data transmission to local traffic authorities.
• Secure €10 000 minimum third‑party liability coverage for each PMV.

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9. Where to Find Official Documents

• CNMC – “Clarification Request to the Ministry of Transport” (PDF) – https://www.cnmc.es/documents/clarification-request-2025.pdf
• Spanish Ministry of Transport – Real Decreto 105/2025 (Official Gazette) – https://www.boe.es/eli/es/rd/2025/09/30/105
• EU Directive 2022/123 – Micro‑Mobility Safety Package – https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/123

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