- Sept 21 effective; sidewalks now exclusively for pedestrians and mobility aids.
- Sidewalks must be 1.80m wide (1m possible with crossing points).
- 100 zloty fine, 1 license point, towing at owner expense.
- Ambiguity remains; potential future amendment to delete sidewalk parking rules.
Poland is preparing to implement a significant reform of road legislation, with a major impact on how drivers park vehicles in urban areas. The new regulations, which take effect on September 21, redefine the concept of the sidewalk and impose strict restrictions on vehicle parking, signaling a drastic change from current practices.
The reform aims to protect pedestrian space and ensure safer mobility for all road users, but it will require adaptation from drivers and municipalities alike. The following overview explains what changes are coming, why they matter, and how enforcement and planning will shape the transition.
The current parking context in Poland
Currently, Polish law allows vehicles with a maximum weight of 2.5 tonnes to be parked on sidewalks under certain conditions. Cars can be parked entirely on the sidewalk or only with wheels on one side or with the front axle, provided they leave at least 1.5 meters of clearance for pedestrians.
However, this rule creates practical problems. The minimum required distance is frequently ignored, leading to complete blocking of sidewalks and making normal pedestrian movement impossible. Polish Facebook pages document daily such violations, illustrating the scale of the problem.
What changes with the new legislation
The essential change comes from redefining the sidewalk concept. If before it was simply defined as ‘part of the road intended for pedestrians’, the new definition is much more restrictive: ‘a part of the road intended exclusively for pedestrians and people using a mobility aid device’.
This keyword - ‘exclusively’ - removes any ambiguity and makes clear that sidewalks can no longer be used for parking vehicles. Under the new standards, sidewalks must have a minimum width of 1.80 meters, with the possibility to reduce to 1 meter in ‘difficult’ conditions, but only if they feature special pedestrian crossing points for people with special needs.
The current legislative ambiguity
Despite the definition changes, the legislation still contains some articles relating to sidewalk parking rules, creating a contradictory situation. Łukasz Zboralski, a road legislation specialist for the BRD24 portal, highlights this problem: “It remains a mystery why, despite these changes, the laws regulating sidewalk parking remain, if such parking will become impossible”.
The expert characterizes the situation as “an evident negligence in legislation” and expects that “soon we will have another amendment that will delete from the law the rules governing sidewalk parking”, to remove the legislative incongruities.
Penalties and enforcement measures
Drivers who choose to ignore the new regulations will face concrete consequences:
- Fine: 100 zloty (approximately 21 euros)
- Penalty points: 1 point on the driving license
- Towing: Authorized authorities may order the blocking and towing of the vehicle, with all costs borne by the owner
Although the fine value may seem relatively small, the combination of penalty points and towing costs should deter violations.
Parking problem - a regional reality
Poland’s situation reflects a common problem in many European cities, including Romania. In Bucharest, for example, the ratio of available parking spaces to registered vehicles is about 1:4 - a dramatic imbalance that makes finding a parking spot a real challenge for drivers.
Finding a durable solution to the urban parking issue requires a comprehensive approach:
- Development of parking infrastructure (underground, multistory)
- Improvement of public transport to reduce dependence on private cars
- Implementation of modern parking management systems
- Educating drivers on respecting pedestrian spaces
Challenges of implementation
It remains to be seen how the new Polish regulations will be put into practice. The success of the measure depends on several factors:
Consistent enforcement of the law: Authorities must monitor and sanction violations consistently, not only in the first weeks after the regulation comes into force.
Parking alternatives: For the ban to be sustainable, cities must provide enough alternative parking spaces at reasonable costs.
Public information campaigns: Drivers must be aware of the new rules and the consequences of non-compliance.
Infrastructural adaptation: Many urban areas will require reconfiguration to accommodate both parking needs and pedestrians.
Conclusion
Poland’s initiative to protect sidewalks for exclusive pedestrian use represents a significant step toward friendlier cities for pedestrians. While implementation will bring initial challenges and require drivers to adjust their habits, the long-term objective is clear: ensure safe mobility for all road users, with emphasis on vulnerable groups.
Polish experience will be watched by other countries facing similar issues, including Romania, where pressure on urban public space continues to grow with the increasing number of vehicles.
