In recent weeks, Slovakia has ended up at the center of a viral hoax: that of the introduction of an alleged speed limit for pedestrians. The news, which bounced on social media and was picked up by some international media, sparked irony and protests online. In reality, the new amendment to the Highway Code concerns exclusively cyclists and those who ride electric scooters that circulate on pavements, not those who walk on foot.
The truth about the 6 km/h rule
The law, approved by the Slovak Parliament and in force from 1 January 2026, introduces a maximum speed of 6 km/h for bicycles and scooters traveling on pavements. The aim is to improve pedestrian safety by reducing the risk of accidents in increasingly crowded pedestrian areas.
However, many interpreted the measure as a ban on “walking too fast”, generating confusion and ironic comments on the web. The vice president of the Slovak police, Rastislav Polakovič, clarified the situation:
The 6 km/h rule does not affect pedestrians in any way. No one will be fined for running to catch the bus.
The position of cyclists and the problem of children
The organization Cyklokoalícia, which defends the rights of cyclists, also confirmed that the measure does not limit the speed of those walking or running. But the association raised a different issue: the new rule could create problems for children under ten who use bicycles on sidewalks, fearing that the rule will push younger children to cycle on the streets, with much greater risks.
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A story that highlights the difficulty of balancing urban safety and freedom of movement. The Slovak government’s intent is clear: to ensure safer pavements. However, as often happens, public perception has transformed a technical measure into a media case. In reality, no one in Slovakia will be stopped for “walking too fast”: the real goal is simply to prevent bikes and scooters from turning sidewalks into racing tracks.
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