Cyclists and motorcyclists smile at the new DGT S-49 sign.

With the aim of improving road safety for cyclists and motorcyclists , the Directorate General of Traffic introduced the S-49 sign on July 1st as one of the new signs found on Spain's road network.

Recently, the DGT (Directorate-General for Traffic) has been modifying and adding several regulations and signs to improve the conditions for cyclists and motorcyclists, i.e. , vulnerable road users . This is because last year , 286 motorcyclist deaths and 46 cyclist deaths were recorded after road accidents , and one of the traffic regulator's focuses is on reducing these figures.

What is this sign for?

The S-49 sign is designed for intersections controlled by traffic lights , so it's only found on urban roads. This DGT sign warns motorcycles, bicycles, scooters , three-wheeled vehicles similar to motorcycles, and mopeds that they have a waiting area before the traffic light turns green in front of the intersection.

This type of measure allows vulnerable vehicles to be seen more clearly by other road users.

What other measures have been taken for motorcyclists?

This measure was already planned to be included in 2024, but at the beginning of this year, it became mandatory for motorcyclists to wear full-face or modular helmets and protective gloves. This is a key measure to reduce injuries in accidents and, presumably, save lives.

In addition, the General Directorate of Traffic is seeking to make motorcyclists more visible in adverse conditions, requiring them to wear reflective gear that's visible from 150 meters at night or in low visibility.

Also since July , training courses for new drivers have been strengthened, incorporating a greater number of practices in open traffic , so that new drivers hit the road with more experience, among other new features .

Finally, although not yet implemented, a measure has already been announced that will allow motorcycles to ride on the hard shoulder during traffic jams or traffic jams without exceeding 30 km/h , giving priority to other vehicles authorized to use this space.

New DGT rules for cyclists

Cyclists must also comply with the visibility measures applied to motorcyclists , which means they must make their presence known on the road from 150 meters away at night or in low visibility conditions.

On the other hand, they will have the Possibility of driving in the opposite direction on urban roads with a speed limit of 30 km/h In traffic jams. On these roads, drivers must always stay in the center of the lane , while other vehicles must maintain a minimum safety distance of 1.5 meters when overtaking.

Another of the most relevant measures for 2025 allows groups of cyclists to ride in parallel , occupying a maximum of two lanes, always as close as possible to the right edge of the road.