Return Under Review After Safety Ban
Electric scooters may return to Barcelona's public transport network for the first time since February 2023, when a temporary ban was imposed following a battery fire on a Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat (FGC) train. The Metropolitan Transport Authority (ATM) has now begun reviewing the conditions under which personal mobility vehicles (PMVs) could be permitted again on metro, bus, tram and regional rail services across the metropolitan area. The move follows updated regulations requiring all electric scooters in Catalonia to be approved, registered with the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), and covered by mandatory civil liability insurance. These changes were cited by the ATM as key factors improving the legal and safety framework for reconsidering access.
Government Reopens Intermodality Debate
On 22 September 2026, the ATM held a midday meeting with representatives from the Catalan government, Barcelona City Council and the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB), laying the groundwork for potential rule changes. Sílvia Paneque, Minister of Territory, confirmed that "the debate on regulation has been reopened to promote intermodality", the seamless integration of different transport modes, particularly for commuters using scooters to connect to and from stations. This development comes shortly after national rail operator Renfe resumed allowing electric scooters on its Commuter, Medium Distance and Long Distance services from 7 September 2026, provided they are folded, switched off, and stored in designated areas. However, Renfe explicitly excluded Rodalies de Catalunya and Cercanías Euskadi from this relaxation due to existing local restrictions.
The debate on regulation has been reopened to promote intermodality.
Conditions Still Pending
Despite the momentum, no date or final conditions have been set for scooters' return to metro, bus or tram services operated under the ATM network. The ban remains in force for now, with current rules unchanged. The original prohibition, initially announced as a six-month measure by ATM’s Board of Management on 19 December 2022, was extended indefinitely in October 2023 due to unresolved safety concerns around battery fires in enclosed, high-occupancy vehicles. Electric bicycles and mobility aids for people with reduced mobility have never been affected by the ban and continue to be permitted under existing regulations.
Residents and commuters awaiting updates can refer to the official ATM website for future announcements on PMV access conditions at atm.cat.
Primary sources: sac.gencat.cat, Generalitat de Catalunya, govern.cat, ajuntament.barcelona.cat, Barcelona City Council. Reported by abc.es, atm.cat, elnacional.cat, en.ara.cat, Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya, Descarga nuestra APP, ABC Cataluña.
