Poles back slower e-scooters and no-go zones but split on a full ban

Warsaw councillors set the debate

In mid-October 2026 Warsaw city councillors adopted a position, voting almost unanimously, on a ban on riding e-scooters rented through an app and a ban on e-scooters in the city centre. The councillors said solving the e-scooter problem requires statutory changes and wider powers for the municipal guard, including the power to stop electric vehicles in traffic. An IBRiS poll, published on 29 October 2026, asked Poles how they view a ban on e-scooters in cities. The results separate measures that improve safety from an outright prohibition, and the figures show where support and opposition sit.

A total ban divides the public

Opinion on a total ban on e-scooters in large cities is close to evenly split. According to the poll, 48.5% of respondents oppose the ban, 43.2% support it and 8.4% have no view. The split follows age lines. Among people aged 60-69, 68% back a ban, and 62% of those aged 70 and over do the same. Only 30% of 18-29 year olds support it, while 63% of them oppose it. The lowest support comes from the 40-49 age group, where 17% back a ban and 72% are against. Political preferences also differ: 55% of supporters of the ruling camp back a ban, compared with 36% of opposition supporters and 40% of non-voters and undecided respondents.

Support43.2%

Oppose48.5%

No opinion8.4%

Support

43.2 %

Oppose

48.5 %

No opinion

8.4 %

Data from the article text

Speed limits and no-go zones draw wider backing

Far more respondents favour narrower measures. 78.2% think the permitted speed of e-scooters should be lowered in cities, 18.3% disagree and 3.5% have no opinion. Support for speed cuts is strongest among the oldest respondents: 99% of those aged 70 and over and 86% of 60-69 year olds back it, compared with 54% of 18-29 year olds. A total of 76.5% support designating zones where e-scooters would be banned, while 19.6% are against the idea.

18-2954%

60-6986%

70 and older99%

18-29

54 %

60-69

86 %

70 and older

99 %

Data from the article text

Parents and age groups diverge

Respondents with school-age children are less keen on lower speeds: 61% of them support the change, compared with 82% of respondents without school-age children. Support for no-go zones is high across most age groups, reaching 83% among those aged 70 and over, 82% among 60-69 year olds and 81% among 50-59 year olds. It drops to 60% among 40-49 year olds. The poll also found that the youngest respondents, who most often use the scooters, are less likely to back a full ban, while older people more often favour stricter rules.

Where the question stands

Measures aimed at safety draw more backing than an outright ban, which splits respondents almost evenly. Opposition to a total ban (48.5%) is slightly higher than support for it (43.2%). The councillors' proposals depend on changes to statute and on giving the municipal guard more powers, so the next steps rest with legislation rather than with the city council alone.