The sight of groups of cyclists riding along the hard shoulders of Mallorca’s roads while cars slow down to overtake is a familiar scene across the island, particularly on popular cycling routes in the Tramuntana mountains and coastal areas. However, recent regulatory changes published in Spain’s Official State Gazette (BOE) could bring significant changes to some of these roads. The updated rules authorise the reduction or even removal of hard shoulders on certain interurban roads to create segregated cycle paths running alongside the carriageway.
Under the modified regulations included in Royal Decree 899/2025, some road sections in Mallorca and elsewhere in Spain may now see hard shoulders narrowed or eliminated to make space for protected cycling lanes. The aim is not to ban cyclists from using roads, but rather to improve safety by creating dedicated areas separated from motor traffic, particularly on roads where existing hard shoulders are narrow or considered dangerous.
The changes form part of Spain’s wider strategy to promote sustainable mobility and encourage cycling both as a sport and a means of transport. Mallorca, one of Europe’s most popular cycling destinations, could become a key location for these improvements due to the high number of cyclists using its roads throughout the year. Authorities say the reforms are intended to improve coexistence between motorists and cyclists while adapting infrastructure to local traffic conditions.
One of the main motivations behind the reform is to reduce serious accidents involving cyclists, especially on conventional roads where riders currently share limited space with fast-moving traffic. The introduction of protected cycle lanes would allow cyclists to travel in physically separated areas, reducing direct interaction with vehicles on busy or high-risk stretches of road frequently used by cycling groups and tourists.
The changes have already generated debate among residents and cycling communities, particularly on social media, following suggestions that cyclists could eventually be prohibited from using certain roads. However, the new legislation does not introduce a blanket ban on cycling along roadways. Instead, it allows authorities to redesign specific sections by replacing traditional hard shoulders with segregated cycle lanes, with the stated goal of improving safety and coexistence for all road users in Mallorca.