30.10.2025 20:53
Slovakia has approved a legislative change that limits the maximum speed for pedestrians on city sidewalks to 6 kilometers per hour. According to the regulation, this rule must also be followed by users of bicycles, skateboards, scooters, and e-scooters. The controversial decision, which has become a subject of humor in the country, has led to comments such as "Running is banned."
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The parliament in Slovakia, one of the European Union (EU) countries, has adopted a remarkable decision proposing changes to the Traffic Law.
A SPEED LIMIT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED FOR SIDEWALK USERS
As part of the changes made to ensure the safety of pedestrians on sidewalks, the maximum speed on sidewalks in urban areas has been set at 6 kilometers per hour. This speed limit will apply not only to pedestrians who are allowed to use the sidewalks but also to cyclists, skaters, and scooter riders. The law will come into effect on January 1, 2026.
THE AVERAGE WALKING SPEED OF A PERSON IS 4-5 KILOMETERS PER HOUR
The average walking speed of a person generally ranges between 4 to 5 kilometers per hour. The British Heart Foundation stated that a speed of 6.4 kilometers per hour is considered moderate for individuals in good physical shape.
OPPOSITION REACTS: IMPOSSIBLE AND ABSURD
Social Democratic Party (SMER) Member of Parliament Lubomir Vazny stated in his remarks regarding the decision that their aim is to increase safety on sidewalks. Martin Pekar from the opposition Progressive Slovakia Party (PS) said that cars pose a greater threat to pedestrians than scooters or bicycles, and that this change in the law punishes sustainable transportation. Pekar stated, "If we want fewer accidents, we need safer bike lanes, not absurd limitations that are physically impossible to comply with. A cyclist would struggle to maintain balance at the mentioned speed."
IT BECAME A SUBJECT OF HUMOR ON SOCIAL MEDIA
The new speed limit has also resonated widely on social media. Some users shared posts like, "Running is banned," and "Will someone running to catch the bus get a fine?"
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