Car sharing
Car sharing is a relatively new means of transportation in Gdansk. The idea is to rent a car for a short period of time and to pay only for the kilometres and time of the ride. All you need to do is to register, download the application on your phone, and look for the car that’s nearest to you. The rates in Traficar are 2,99 PLN for unlocking 1,5 PLN for one kilometre. You may also hire a car for the whole day which costs 49 PLN/day + 0,6 PLN/km.
The rates in Panek Car Sharing start with 0,8 PLN/km + 0,5 PLN/minute or, if you decide to hire the car for the whole day – 69 PLN/day + 0,6 PLN/km.
The main advantage of this system is that it’s cheaper than a taxi, and you can park in the city free of charge. The main disadvantage is that there might be no car nearby when you need it.
Also, traffic during rush hours may make your trip more expensive than you would expect. But at night, when there is almost no traffic, this is a very convenient means of transport. Bear in mind, that you still need to obey the traffic regulations – you are not anonymous as a driver and you still may be fined for any traffic offences. Also, make sure to park the car where it’s legal. Otherwise, you will be charged if the car is blocked by the city guards for improper parking.
Remember, that car-sharing may function only in the city area. If you plan to go around Gdansk, it’s better to hire a car from a regular company.
Motorbike sharing in Gdansk
Similarly to cars, motorbike sharing system has been working in Gdansk since 2018. The idea is similar, but what you share is a two-person, electric motorbike with the range of 70-90 kilometres when fully charged. The rates are 2,5 PLN for unlocking, 0,69PLN for one minute of the ride, 0,09 PLN for stoppage time (motorbike can’t be rented by other users then), no more than 69 PLN/day.
Remember, that although it is an electric motorbike, contrary to Mevo electric bikes you can’t ride them on bike paths. You also need to wear a crash helmet (you will find it in the trunk).
Electric scooter in Gdansk
Important changes in electric scooter regulations in Poland – May 2021
On the 20th of May 2021 rules regulating electric scooters in Poland change. Since that day, scooter riders are no longer treated as pedestrians. They are considered more to be cyclists, and the following rules apply:
- you should use bike paths where possible
- if there is no bike path, you should ride on the street – just like cars
- if there is no bike path, and the speed limit on the road is higher than 30 km/h, you may use the pavement, but you should ride no faster than pedestrians
- maximum scooter speed is set to 20 km/h
- you may not carry luggage
- you should be over 18 to ride a scooter in Poland
Electric scooters became a very popular means of transport in most European cities, and since 2019 Gdansk also has scooters to share. So far there are four companies: Hive, Blinkee, Tier and Quick Ride, and the prices are very similar.
In all cases, you need to download the mobile App and register. The area in which you may use Hive/FreeNow and Blinkee electric scooter is limited to the city centre and Gdansk Wrzeszcz, while in Quick Ride you may ride within borders of the city.
There are two problems with electric scooters. The first one: when riding an electric scooter in Poland, you are treated as a pedestrian. It means that you cannot use bike paths, you should only ride on pavements. This sometimes leads to a collision with other pedestrians, and if something serious happens, it is up to the police to decide whose fault it was.
The second problem is parking the scooter after the ride. They are often recklessly thrown on the pavement and make it difficult for pedestrians to walk. That’s why after you park Quick Ride Scooter, you need to take a picture of the parked scooter and send it through the app to prove that you parked it properly.