Drivers in Spain must leave a minimum lateral distance of 1.5 m when overtaking a cyclist, and must not overtake at all where the view ahead is insufficient — a blind corner or a crest. As a cyclist on Mallorca, ride a steady, predictable line about a metre out from the gutter so a driver never has to judge a tight pass.
From 1 October 2026, Real Decreto 518/2026 tightens the manoeuvre. Overtaking a cyclist on an interurban road, the driver must reduce speed to at least 20 km/h below the road’s limit, and on a road with more than one lane in their direction must move completely into the next lane rather than squeeze past inside yours.
The same reform adds a separate urban rule that is widely reported as a general one: in town, a motor vehicle following a cyclist in the same lane must stay at least 5 metres back. It applies on urban roads, to the vehicle behind, in the same lane — it is not an open-road following distance.
Not yet in force
Changes from 1 October 2026
How a driver must overtake you
Interurban roads
Until 30 September 2026At least 1.5 metres of lateral space.
From 1 October 2026The 1.5 metres stay, and on interurban roads the driver must also drop to at least 20 km/h below the road's speed limit. Where their direction has more than one lane, they must change lane completely instead of squeezing past inside yours.
Real Decreto 518/2026, de 24 de junio (BOE-A-2026-13889)
5-metre following distance in town
Urban roads only
Until 30 September 2026No equivalent rule exists today — this is a new duty.
From 1 October 2026On urban roads a motor vehicle travelling behind a cyclist in the same lane must keep at least 5 metres back. This is an urban rule: it does not create a following distance on the open road.
Real Decreto 518/2026, de 24 de junio (BOE-A-2026-13889)
Source:Reglamento General de Circulación (BOE-A-2003-23514)
Common questions
Group riding: ride two abreast, no more+
Two abreast is allowed on the hard shoulder, as far right as the road lets you; three abreast is not. Single file where visibility is poor. From 1 October 2026 a pair may use the carriageway where no usable shoulder exists.
This guide summarises the regulations in plain language but is not legal advice. Laws change — always follow the official citation linked on each page.