Cycling rules by country
Last reviewed: 7 November 2026
Cycling rules compared across countries: helmet for adults, helmet for children, lights and reflectors, phone use while cycling, alcohol limit when cycling. Pick a country for the full list of rules, each with its official source.
| Country | Helmet for adults | Helmet for children | Lights and reflectors | Phone use while cycling | Alcohol limit when cycling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | Required outside towns | Required under 16, all roads | Light or reflector visible at 150 m outside towns | ⚠ Not yet verified | 0.5 g/l blood (0.25 mg/l breath) |
| Austria | ⚠ Not yet verified | Under 12: helmet required | Head and rear light, reflectors; none needed by day | Banned unless hands-free | 0.8 per mille always counts as impaired |
| Czechia | ⚠ Not yet verified | Under 18: helmet required | White front, red rear light in poor visibility | No holding a phone while riding | No alcohol while riding or soon before |
| Finland | Helmet generally required | Helmet generally required, no age band | White/yellow front, red rear light | Hand-held ban names motor vehicle drivers | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Japan | Effort duty to wear one | Guardians must make an effort | Lights at night; reflectors | No hand-held call or screen | Banned under alcohol; no figure |
How to read the comparison
The table compares these points:
- Helmet for adults
- Helmet for children
- Lights and reflectors
- Phone use while cycling
- Alcohol limit when cycling
Before you rely on it
These are national rules. Regions, cities, employers and venues can add their own, and the law changes. A rule marked “to verify” has not yet been confirmed against an official source. Each country page links to the official sources, and those are the place to confirm the details.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.