Starting June 3, 2026, children and teenagers under 16 will be legally required to wear protective helmets while operating bicycles, electric scooters, and personal transport devices, with parents facing fines for non-compliance.
Expanded Safety Requirements for Minors
From June 3, 2026, new provisions of the Road Traffic Act will mandate that individuals under 16 years of age wear helmets when using bicycles, electric bikes, traditional scooters, electric scooters, and personal transport devices (UTO). This regulation replaces current guidelines that only recommend helmet use for safety purposes.
The requirement also extends to children under the age of 7 being transported by bicycle, in a trailer, or in a bike cart, unless the vehicle’s design includes seatbelts that physically prevent the use of a helmet.
Rationing Behind the New Policy
Statistical data indicates that head injuries account for approximately one-third of all accidents involving electric scooters. Research suggests that a properly fitted helmet can reduce the risk of such injuries by up to 44 percent. Under the new law, parents and guardians are strictly responsible for ensuring children are equipped with appropriate head protection.
Penalties and Legal Liability
Guardians who permit a minor to operate a bicycle, electric scooter, or personal transport device without a required helmet face fines of up to 100 PLN. This liability is established under Article 89a of the Code of Petty Offenses, which holds the supervising adult accountable for the child’s compliance.
Tighter Restrictions for Younger Riders
As of March 3, 2026, the minimum age for independently operating an electric scooter or personal transport device on public roads has been raised to 13 years old. Riders under 13 are restricted to residential zones and must remain under adult supervision; operating these vehicles outside these conditions may lead to insurance providers denying personal liability coverage.
Additional penalties remain in effect for younger riders: adults face fines ranging from 20 to 100 PLN if a child under 13 uses a scooter in restricted areas. Furthermore, exceeding the 20 km/h speed limit on an electric scooter carries a fine between 50 and 200 PLN.