Since October 1, 2026, cyclists in Spain are required to wear helmets outside urban areas, with no exceptions for conditions like high temperatures or medical reasons. This rule applies to all adults and reflects a new emphasis on protecting vulnerable road users, a term used to describe pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists who are more likely to be seriously injured in traffic accidents. According to a report by Motor16, these groups accounted for more than half of road fatalities in 2024. In cities, however, adults are still not required to wear helmets, though children under 16 and delivery workers must. Electric scooters now also require helmets everywhere, with a minimum age of 15. The Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), Spain’s traffic authority, has confirmed the removal of the previous exceptions for cycling outside urban areas. This approach mirrors a policy already in place in France for electric scooters and other electric personal mobility devices (EDPMs), which require helmets once riders leave urban areas. The reasoning is that outside cities, the speed difference between vehicles and cyclists increases the severity of injuries from falls. In France, however, the rules for cycling are more flexible: only those under 12 are required to wear helmets everywhere. In both countries, local authorities have significant power to enforce these rules, meaning that the requirement to wear a helmet can vary depending on the specific area a cyclist is in. In France, local governments have taken a more active role in implementing helmet rules. For example, Paris and surrounding areas have required helmets for electric scooter riders since August 7, with fines for non-compliance. Similar rules have been introduced in several other regions, including Seine-et-Marne, Alpes-Maritimes, and others. This has created a situation where the equipment required for a trip depends on the region being traveled through, making the rules somewhat complex for users. France is now considering a universal helmet requirement for all cyclists and EDPM users, regardless of location or age. The minister, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, has asked the Road Safety Agency to study this change, arguing that a single rule would be easier to enforce and that a fall at high speeds can be dangerous. However, some groups, like the Federation of French Cyclists (FUB), are concerned that such a rule might discourage people from cycling. This concern was previously raised in the French Senate in 2022. Spain has also shown caution, noting that between 2004 and 2007, the proportion of helmeted cyclists among accident victims increased, but hospital data showed no decrease in head injuries, leading to a more measured approach in urban areas like Madrid.