A study reveals that 93% of scooter users in Barcelona are unaware of the requirement to use them starting in 2026.

Recently, the rise of scooters circulating on bike lanes in Spain has prompted the DGT (Directorate General of Traffic) to intervene with measures to regulate their use on city streets, as these vehicles can reach speeds of up to 25 km/h, at least legally .

For this reason , measures such as mandatory helmet wearing already exist, and regulations will come into force in 2026. According to the Barometer of Mobility in Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMV) conducted by the RACC (Royal Automobile Club of Catalonia), 93% of electric scooter users are unaware that they must comply with these regulations. Otherwise, they will receive a fine for this infraction.

What new requirements are scooter users unaware of?

In Barcelona and its surrounding areas, 9 out of 10 users of these VMP (Personal Mobility Vehicle) are unaware that in 2026 they will have to insure their scooter with liability insurance, and 73% are also unaware that they will have to register the vehicle in the official registry .

This is specified in the first provision of the BOE of July 25, when it published Law 5/2025 , of July 24, amending the consolidated text of the Law on civil liability and insurance in the circulation of motor vehicles : "The Council of Ministers will regulate the public registry of light personal vehicles of the Autonomous Body Central Headquarters of Traffic and the mandatory means of identification that allow their individualization. This regulation must come into force before January 2, 2026. "

The cost of liability insurance is approximately between 80 and 100 euros per year , and the fee for registering a vehicle with Barcelona City Council is 9.5 euros for private use, so many users will be considering whether they want to continue using this means of transport .

What are light personal vehicles?

The legislative change establishes that, for the purposes of compulsory civil liability insurance, vehicles that circulate on one or more wheels, have a single seat and are propelled exclusively by electric motors will be considered insurable , provided they meet the following conditions :