L'Ametlla approves the scooter ordinance: minimum age of 15 and 25 km/h

The Plenary of the Ametlla del Vallès City Council, in an ordinary session on October 26, 2026, unanimously approved the municipal ordinance that regulates, for the first time, the circulation and use of personal mobility vehicles (PMVs) in the municipality. The text is published in the Official Gazette of the Province of Barcelona on November 4, 2026 (pp. 1-15, reference CVE 202610164030) and remains open to the public for thirty days for the submission of allegations and suggestions. If none are presented, the agreement will be considered final without any further procedure.

A proper framework in the face of the increase in scooters

The regulation arrives, according to the approved text, due to the “growing implementation” of PMVs in public spaces, which has necessitated the establishment of a new regulatory framework to govern their circulation, use, and control. The ordinance starts from the current legal definition: a vehicle with one or more wheels, a single seat, propelled exclusively by electric motors with a maximum design speed between 6 and 25 km/h, and with a seat only if it has a self-balancing system.

The document signed by the mayor, Jan Santaló Lloret, on November 2, 2026, specifies the obligations falling upon the drivers:

• Mandatory identification of the vehicle, with a circulation certificate and a sticker from the company or entity providing the service.
• Valid civil liability insurance, punishable by up to 800 euros and removal of the vehicle to the impound lot.
• Use of lights and reflective elements between evening and dawn and in conditions of low visibility.
• Prohibition of using mobile phones or headphones while driving.

Sidewalks, parks, and school environments, off-limits

The ordinance prohibits the circulation of scooters on sidewalks, pedestrian zones, interurban roads, dual carriageways, highways, bypasses, urban tunnels, parks, gardens, and the perimeters of school centers and the Primary Care Center. These behaviors are classified as serious, with fines of up to 200 euros.

Regarding road safety, the text also establishes:

• Mandatory breathalyzer and drug detection tests, with sanctions of up to 1,000 euros and removal of the vehicle.
• Prohibition of transporting people, with a sanction of up to 100 euros per minor infraction.
• Minimum age of 15 years to circulate on urban roads; minors under this age may only use the devices in spaces closed to traffic and under the responsibility of an adult.
• Joint liability of parents, tutors, and legal guardians for infractions committed by minors.

Regarding the helmet, the ordinance refers to traffic regulations and Royal Decree 518/2026 (BOE-A-2026-13889) establishes its mandatory nature; meanwhile, the Local Police of l’Ametlla del Vallès recommend its use.

Limited speeds and safety distances

Speed limits vary depending on the route. On cycle lanes located on the sidewalk (sidewalk bike lane), the maximum is 10 km/h and a minimum separation of 1.5 meters from pedestrians must be maintained; in protected bike lanes on the roadway, the limit is that of the manufacturer or 25 km/h; and at pedestrian crossings connected to cycle lanes, scooters may cross without dismounting as long as they do not exceed 5 km/h.

Drivers of motor vehicles sharing the roadway with PMPs (Personal Mobility Vehicles) must maintain a minimum distance of 5 meters when driving behind and leave a lateral space of 1.5 meters during overtaking. The ordinance expressly classifies intimidating maneuvers, such as flashing lights or using the horn to alter the scooter’s trajectory, as harassment.

Regarding parking, it is prohibited to tie vehicles to trees, traffic lights, benches, containers, trash cans, shelters, and public transport stop poles, as well as leaving them on the sidewalk with less than 1.80 meters of free passage space.

Certificate, registration, and removal to the impound

The ordinance incorporates the state registration and certification calendar. Registration in the National Vehicle Registry is mandatory from January 22, 2026, and the circulation certificate will be required starting January 22, 2027; those who do not have it as of January 23, 2027, will not be allowed to circulate. The lack of these requirements, insurance, or a certified helmet are grounds for the removal of the vehicle to the municipal impound, with expenses charged to the owner if they are identifiable. Vehicles not collected within three months will be disposed of by the City Council.

The text also distinguishes between the PMP considered a motor vehicle, with a mass exceeding 25 kg and speeds up to 25 km/h, and the light personal vehicle, up to 25 kg, categories that the municipality draws from the Registry of Light Personal Vehicles (REVEMP), created by Royal Decree 52/2026, of January 8.

With this ordinance, L’Ametlla del Vallès moves from recommendation to written regulation in an area that until now was resolved with state traffic regulations. Residents gain a predictable framework of sanctions and limits, and the City Council obtains a tool to organize public space in the face of the growing presence of scooters on sidewalks, parks, and school environments.

Fuente: Official Gazette of the Province of Barcelona, no. of November 4, 2026, Local Administration, pp. 1-15 (official reference: CVE 202610164030).