In 2024, the number of mandates imposed on cyclists in Poland is approaching 65,000, indicating an increasingly restrictive approach of uniformed services to complying with traffic regulations. Cyclists, although frequently treated as lower-risk traffic participants, do not avoid harsh penalties for offenses, which in many cases match those borne by car drivers. The past in which cyclists were treated by police with any indulgence is slow becoming history, and the latest data uncover that in any cases cyclists may encounter identical sanctions as drivers.
Most common cyclist offences
Driving on the sidewalk and walking passage
As data from the Police office show, the most common offenses of cyclists in Poland are riding on the pavement and crossing for pedestrians. In 2024 17,932 parking tickets were imposed for riding on the pavement, and 15,471 parking tickets were imposed for driving along pedestrian crossings. According to the regulations, cyclists can only walk on the pavement in circumstantial situations specified as:
- Care for a kid under the age of 10 who moves by bicycle (a kid is treated like a pedestrian);
- A walkway with a width of at least 2 metres on the road, where the permitted velocity of the vehicles is over 50 km/h and there is no separate road for bicycles;
- Unfavorable weather conditions that endanger the safety of cyclists on the roadway (e.g. snow, rain, strong wind).
Despite these exceptions, many cyclists ignore these provisions, resulting in a large number of mandates.
Offences against pedestrians
Cycling offences against pedestrians are besides a common problem. In 2024:
- 10 286 cases of failure to give precedence to a pedestrian in different situations,
- 4 164 cases of failure to give precedence to the pedestrian at the crossing,
- 480 cases of failure to give precedence to cross-road turn.
Under the current rules, cyclists are required to quit their first footing not only on pedestrian crossings but besides on bicycle roads. For failure to comply with this obligation, a fine of up to PLN 500 is threatened.
High penalties for cyclists
Railways and alcohol-driving
Although most of the mandates for cyclists are comparatively low, there are exceptions. Cyclists who break the rules on rail crossings gotta face a punishment of PLN 2000, which corresponds to a punishment for car drivers. This punishment applies not only to entering the crossing at the minute of flashing red light, but besides to ignoring the descending dams.
Another serious offense is drinking. Since 1 January 2022, cyclists driving after alcohol consumption (0.2–0.5promila) can be punished with a fine of PLN 1000, while in the case of driving intoxicated (over 0.5promila), the punishment is as much as PLN 2500.
Provisions which may mislead
The complexity of the precedence provisions
Many cyclists are unaware of the pitfalls in regulations that may lead to misunderstandings. The Ministry of Infrastructure explains that in order for a place to be considered as a pedestrian crossing, it must be marked with both a vertical mark (D-6) and a horizontal mark (P-10). On bicycle roads, however, there is frequently only horizontal marking, which can lead to a misinterpretation of the situation by cyclists who do not know that pedestrians do not have precedence there.
For these reasons, it is so crucial that both cyclists and pedestrians are full aware of the rules and respect each other's rights on the road. Only in this way is it possible to keep the safety of all road users.
In 2024, the number of tickets imposed on cyclists in Poland increased and police stopped treating single-track traffic participants with a reduced tariff. It is so worth recalling the basic principles of safety and the rules to be followed in order to avoid advanced penalties. Driving on the pavement, inappropriate behaviour towards pedestrians, deficiency of lights, and besides under the influence of alcohol are only any of the offences for which cyclists can be held liable. The complexity of the rules on precedence on cycling roads and pedestrian crossings is an additional origin that can mislead. Only liable road behaviour will guarantee the safety of both cyclists and pedestrians.
Read more:
Cyclists on target: Most common offenses and advanced penalties in 2024
