The passage of Law 9/2025 on Sustainable Mobility marks an important step forward in how mobility is understood and managed in Spain, incorporating accessibility as a cross-cutting issue. It is no longer just about infrastructure and transportation efficiency; now we must ensure that citizens have access to services, opportunities, and activities with the greatest possible degree of autonomy.
In this context, accessibility is established as one of the fundamental pillars of the system, and mobility plans play a key role in translating these principles into concrete actions.
Accessibility as a Social Right in Sustainable Mobility
One of the most significant aspects of Law 9/2025 is the incorporation of accessibility as a cross-cutting principle within mobility policies. The law recognizes the need to move toward a system that can be used by all people independently, regardless of their age, abilities, or circumstances (Art. 30).
The law stipulates that mobility planning must promote the removal of physical, sensory, and cognitive barriers, as well as ensure access to information in a comprehensible and accessible format. It also reinforces the need to promote the autonomy of people with disabilities, fostering their full participation in social and economic life.
Accessibility is thus no longer viewed as a secondary issue but has become a cross-cutting element of sustainable mobility.
Mobility Planning and Management: A Strategic Vision
Law 9/2025 on Sustainable Mobility strengthens the planning and governance tools of the mobility system through a coordinated framework among the various public administrations.
Among the main tools planned, the National Strategic Mobility Planning Instrument (IPEEM) stands out; it is intended to serve as a multi-year framework for national policy on mobility infrastructure and services.
Its purpose is to provide a coordinated vision that will guide public policy on mobility from a long-term perspective.
Mobility plans: a key tool for accessibility
One of the central elements of Law 9/2025 is the promotion of sustainable mobility plans as planning tools designed to organize travel efficiently, reduce environmental impacts, and promote accessible mobility. These plans take three different approaches: those focused on urban areas or local governments; those focused on mobility to major centers of activity, such as areas with high tourist traffic, a soccer stadium, or a commercial development; and those focused on workplaces.
Sustainable Mobility Plans of Local Governments
The text regulates (Art. 24) local governments’ sustainable mobility plans. These instruments make it possible to integrate mobility into municipal planning and serve as a fundamental tool for incorporating accessibility criteria into the urban environment.
Sustainable Mobility Plans for Major Hubs of Activity
With regard to sustainable mobility plans for large activity centers (Art. 25), the goal is to manage travel associated with areas that attract large numbers of people more efficiently.
Sustainable Commuting Plans
The law also addresses sustainable commuting plans (Art. 26), which are aimed at improving the organization of work-related travel and promoting more sustainable modes of transportation.
Specifically, these plans must be implemented at workplaces with more than 200 employees (or 100 per shift).
Accessibility and Mobility Plans: An Inseparable Relationship
Accessibility must be incorporated from the earliest stages of design and planning for any mobility strategy. Accessible infrastructure, understandable information, and services that can be used by everyone are essential to ensuring equal opportunities in access to mobility.
For this reason, accessibility is a cross-cutting issue that must be integrated into the development, implementation, and monitoring of the various mobility plans provided for in Law 9/2025.
The incorporation of these criteria not only contributes to regulatory compliance but also promotes a more inclusive transportation system that is tailored to the needs of the public.
How can we help you? The role of AIS and the ARS Foundation
At the ARS Foundation, we work to incorporate accessibility into projects, infrastructure, and services through certification under the AIS system and its four standards. In addition, we link accessibility to mobility, helping public administrations, companies, and organizations move toward more inclusive models that are aligned with regulatory requirements.
Our services include:
- Accessibility Master Plan.
- Mobility Accessibility Assessment.
- Sustainable and Accessible Mobility Plans.
- Transportation Infrastructure Audit in Accordance with AIS Standard 1.
- Audit of Workplaces Under AIS Standard 1.
- User Experience Evaluation.
- Digital Accessibility Applied to Mobility, in accordance with the AIS 2 standard.
- Certification of the level of AIS accessibility in accordance with AIS Standard 1/2023 for built environments and AIS Standard 2/2023 for digital environments.
Law 9/2025 reinforces the importance of integrating accessibility into mobility planning. In this new context, mobility plans become a fundamental tool for moving toward environments, services, and transportation systems that can be used by everyone with the greatest possible degree of autonomy.
More information
- The Plaza Castilla interchange, currently undergoing certification under AIS 1
- Accessibility audit: what is it and what does it involve?
- You can access Law 9/2025 on Sustainable Mobility here.
