Spanish road law (Reglamento General de Circulación, art. 118) requires an approved helmet for every cyclist on interurban roads — which is where you spend almost all of your riding time in Mallorca, so plan on wearing one every ride. Within towns (poblado) the helmet is only mandatory for riders under 16.
Until 30 September 2026 three narrow exemptions let a rider over 16 go bare-headed on an interurban road: prolonged ascending ramps, conditions of extreme heat, and accredited medical reasons. For Mallorca that matters, because the first two describe a summer Tramuntana ascent exactly.
From 1 October 2026 those exemptions are gone. Real Decreto 518/2026, de 24 de junio (BOE of 26 June 2026) makes the helmet compulsory for every cyclist on an interurban road, and adds a helmet-and-reflective-vest duty at all times for anyone riding a bike professionally — classified as an infracción grave carrying €200. The under-16 rule in town does not change.
Fine amounts for cyclists are set by the Ley de Tráfico rather than by the road-traffic regulation. The €200 published for riding without a helmet comes from a DGT summary and is worth checking against the current official text before you rely on it.
Not yet in force
Changes from 1 October 2026
Helmet exemptions on interurban roads
Interurban roads
Until 30 September 2026Three exemptions still stand: prolonged ascending ramps, extreme heat and accredited medical reasons.
From 1 October 2026The exemptions disappear. Every cyclist needs a certified helmet on interurban roads — no exception for a long climb and none for heat.
Real Decreto 518/2026, de 24 de junio (BOE-A-2026-13889)
Helmet and reflective vest for professional riders
All roads
Until 30 September 2026No equivalent rule exists today — this is a new duty.
From 1 October 2026Anyone using a bicycle professionally — delivery riders above all — must wear a helmet and a reflective vest at all times. The reform itself classifies this as an infracción grave carrying €200.
Real Decreto 518/2026, de 24 de junio (BOE-A-2026-13889)
Source:Reglamento General de Circulación (BOE-A-2003-23514)
Common questions
Bike lights and reflective gear required at night+
White front light and red rear light from sunset to sunrise, in tunnels and in low visibility. On interurban roads a reflective garment visible at 150 m is required too.
Alcohol limit for cyclists+
Maximum 0.5 g/l in blood, 0.25 mg/l in breath — the general limit, the same one that applies to drivers. Police can breathalyse you on the bike.
This guide summarises the regulations in plain language but is not legal advice. Laws change — always follow the official citation linked on each page.