Have fun, but remember the rules!

Have fun, but follow the rules! How and where you can ride a scooter, skateboard or roller skates.

On May 20, 2021, an amendment to the Road Traffic Act came into force in Poland, which for the first time in history regulates the legal status of both electric and human-powered devices intended for movement on public roads.

If the information above confuses and unsettles you, stay tuned. We'll explain everything you need to know, whether you're cycling, walking, or riding a scooter.

"Devices"—Now Redefined

An electric scooter is defined as a two-axle, electrically powered vehicle with handlebars, without a seat or pedals, designed to be operated solely by the vehicle's driver.

A personal transportation device is any electrically powered vehicle (except for an electric scooter) that has no seat or pedals and is designed structurally to be moved solely by the vehicle’s driver (e.g., an electric skateboard or an electric self-balancing device).

You might be thinking: "Okay, but how does this affect me? Nothing new, just a weird-sounding legal term, right?" Wrong! Read on! New rules actually mean more safety for everyone, and you already know that safety is our priority!

Mobility-Assisting Devices—With a fitting acronym: MAD... because you’d have to be CRAZY to break the law while riding! :)

On sidewalks and/or pedestrian paths, the speed of a MAD must be adjusted to match that of a pedestrian. A MAD user must give way to pedestrians and not obstruct their normal movement. On all bike paths, traffic flows on the right. To cross the street, you can use either a bike crossing or a pedestrian crossing.

Restrictions: There are no age restrictions for using any MAD, such as roller skating, and no special qualifications are required.

Roads where you can use a MAD:

• A sidewalk
• A designated pedestrian path
• A bike path

When using a MAD, you must observe the following:

• Move at a speed that ensures control over the device, taking into account all conditions under which movement occurs.
• Keep a safe distance from passing and overtaking vehicles, other road users, and obstacles.
• Ensure there is enough space to complete your maneuver before overtaking without obstructing others' movement.
• Be extremely cautious when approaching a pedestrian crossing and give priority to pedestrians on the crossing.

When using a MAD, you are not allowed to:

• Move under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Transport another person, animal, or cargo.
• Tow or be towed by another vehicle.
• Move in reverse.

E-Scooters

When riding an e-scooter, you should use the bike path or bike lane and give priority to pedestrians on both bike and footpaths.

Restrictions: A license is required to ride an electric scooter. These may include the following: a bicycle license (remember that?) for minors, or a driver's license in the following categories: AM, A1, B1, or T—for individuals under 18. Children under 10 years of age should not (and are not allowed to!) ride an electric scooter or a personal transport device on a road, except within residential areas under the supervision of an adult.

Roads where you can ride an electric scooter:

• A bike path or bike lane—if designated for the direction in which you are moving or turning.
• A road where vehicle traffic is allowed at speeds of no more than 30 km/h and where there is no separate bike path or lane—if the speed exceeds 30 km/h and there is no separate bike path/lane.
• A sidewalk or designated pedestrian path; exceptionally, if the sidewalk runs along a road where other vehicles are allowed speeds of up to 30 km/h and where there is no separate bike path/lane.

When using an electric scooter, you are not allowed to:

• Exceed a speed of 20 km/h.
• Tow or be towed by another vehicle.
• Transport another person, animal, or cargo.

Personal Transportation Devices

When riding a so-called personal transportation device (sorry, no fun acronym here!), such as an electric skateboard, you must use the bike path and give priority to pedestrians when using a shared bike and footpath.

Restrictions: Just like with e-scooters, qualifications such as a bicycle license for minors or a driver's license in categories AM, A1, B1, or T are required to operate a "personal transportation device," such as an electric skateboard. Children under 10 years of age are, of course, not allowed to use a "personal transportation device," except in residential areas under adult supervision.

Roads where you can use a "personal transportation device":

• A bike path: if it is designated for the direction you are moving or turning.
• A sidewalk and/or a designated pedestrian path: allowed only if there is no separate bike path.

When riding a "personal transportation device," you are not allowed to:

• Move faster than 20 km/h.
• Tow or be towed by another vehicle.
• Transport another person, animal, or cargo.
• Attach yourself to other vehicles.

Parking Your Scooter

No more abandoned scooters on sidewalks! Yay!

The law introduces the obligation to park an electric scooter only on the sidewalk in a designated spot. If there is no such spot, pay attention to the following when parking:

• Ensure your electric scooter is as close to the outer edge of the sidewalk as possible, as far from the roadway as possible.
• Ensure the scooter is parked parallel to the edge of the sidewalk.
• Ensure the width of the remaining sidewalk left for pedestrians is sufficient for their movement and no less than 1.5 meters.

No more lawlessness: no more messy clutter! Fewer accidents!

Electric scooters or "personal transportation devices" can be removed at the owner's expense if, for example, they are parked in a place where it is not allowed and/or they obstruct movement and/or pose a danger to others' safety. Both the police and city police can remove the vehicle.

Now you know how riding an electric scooter differs from a regular scooter and the rules and regulations you must follow when roller skating or riding an electric skateboard. Hopefully, we've saved you from accidents and fines!

Safe travels and have fun!