In the future, pedestrians will not be allowed to walk on sidewalks at a speed of more than six kilometers per hour in urban areas. The new speed limit applies to pedestrians, as well as to skateboarders, electric scooter and bicycle riders, who are also permitted to use sidewalks in Slovakia. Thus, compliance with speed limits in Slovakia will not be limited to cars only, as pedestrians will also be required to adhere to these rules. According to Politico, pedestrians will also be subject to speed limits. The plan has sparked debate and jokes on social media, with one user sarcastically asking, "Will I get a speeding ticket if I try to run for my bus?" However, supporters of the initiative point out that drivers will not be able to stop in time if someone unexpectedly crosses a pedestrian crossing, and that pedestrians are also responsible for many accidents involving electric scooter riders. These changes were introduced in a traffic law amendment, which was approved by the parliament in Bratislava. The law will come into force on January 1, 2026. Lubomír Važný, a Member of Parliament and former Transport Minister for the left-nationalist party 'Direction – Slovak Social Democracy', explained his proposed bill by stating: "The main goal is to enhance safety on sidewalks amidst the growing number of accidents involving electric scooter riders."
