- Rights and obligations of a skater
- Do you face a fine?
- Roller skating in the residential area
- Will there be legislative changes?
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Many skaters wonder if they can get a ticket for riding on a bicycle road. Is the use of the inline bike path allowed? Unfortunately, we don't have good news. It is an offense to inline skating on a cycle track. However, there are exceptional situations in which an inline skater may do this.
In the light of the law , only cyclists may be on the bike path.In practice, however, it is often used by roller skaters, scooters, skateboarders and pedestrians. As there are still no precise regulations that would precisely define the status of these people, in accordance with the Road Traffic Act (commonly known as the Highway Code), all those who do not ride a bicycle are considered pedestrians. So do the skaters. Therefore, every roller skater has the same rights and obligations as pedestrians.
Rights and obligations of a skater
According to the law, a skater - recognized as a pedestrian according to the road code:
- It should move on the pavement or a pedestrian way.If there are none - it should use the shoulder. If there is also no shoulder, he can temporarily use the road, provided that he moves on the left side, near the edge and gives way to vehicles.
- It is forbidden to use the bicycle lane.The exception is when there is no sidewalk or roadside or when it is not possible to use them. In these circumstances, a skater is considered a pedestrian, so when using a bicycle lane, he is obliged to give way to cyclists.
Do you face a fine?
Roller skating on a bicycle route is generally prohibited. Breaking the ban by unjustified cycling on the road may result in a fine of PLN 50. If the bicycle path is not well traveled, it usually ends with an instruction, but on the more frequented bicycle paths, inline skaters can be dangerous.
Behavior of a skater on the road should be in accordance with Art. 11 sec. 1 of the Road Traffic Act. It follows from the content of this provision that where there is a pavement, you must walk on the pavement. Even on roller skates.
Here is the content of these entries:
"A pedestrian is obliged to use the pavement or a pedestrian path, and in the event of their absence - from the shoulder. If there is no roadside or temporarily impossible to zuse it, pedestrians may use the road, provided that they take a place as close to its edge as possible and give way to an oncoming vehicle. "
"Pedestrian use of a cycle path is permitted only if there is no sidewalk or shoulder or if it is not possible to use them. A pedestrian, except for a disabled person, when using this road, is obliged to give way to a bicycle. "
Roller skating in the residential area
These restrictions do not apply in the area of residence. It is an area with public roads or other roads where special rules of the road apply, and entries and exits are marked with appropriate road signs.
A pedestrian, in this case a person on rollers, can use the entire width of the road there and has priority over a vehicle (Art. 11 (5) of the Road Traffic Law).
Will there be legislative changes?
Work on them has been going on for several years. A petition appeared on the Internet to the minister of infrastructure regarding the authorization of roller skaters and skateboarders to use bicycle paths.
Introducing changes enabling skaters and skateboarders to conditionally use bicycle paths would sanction the actual state of affairs. Inline skaters often use cycle lanes or local streets anyway, as many pedestrian sidewalks have damaged or very uneven surfaces.
Until the regulations change, inline skates can only be used on the pavement or in specially designated places.
Source: Act of June 20, 1997. Road Traffic Law