The country that bans fast walking – and fines you 100 euros

A new law in Slovakia, aimed at improving safety on sidewalks by setting a maximum speed limit for all users — including pedestrians — has sparked ridicule and outrage among parts of the population. Critics accuse the government of restricting personal freedoms.

“With a maximum speed limit of 6 km/h, it’s difficult to keep your balance — even three- and four-year-olds regularly exceed it on their bikes,” said Dan Kollár, president of Cyklokoalícia, an organization promoting sustainable mobility, speaking to Agence France-Presse.

The bill, approved by the Slovak parliament in late October and set to take effect on January 1, 2026, seeks to cap the speed of all sidewalk users — from walkers to cyclists and scooter riders. Offenders will face a €100 fine.

However, the proposed 6 km/h limit has gone viral, with many social media users posting doctored images showing a speed radar flashing a warning to a pedestrian walking at 6.2 km/h to “slow down,” or fake “walking licenses.”

“The government is creating a situation where children will break the law every day, and we’ll be teaching them that this is acceptable,” said Kollár, calling the law “absurd.”

Another civic group, Concerned Mothers, has called on President Robert Fico not to sign and ratify the bill.

Last year, 67 pedestrians and 22 cyclists or scooter riders were killed in accidents in Slovakia, according to police data — though it does not specify whether the incidents occurred on sidewalks or roads.

Since Prime Minister Fico returned to power in 2023, the Central European country of 5.4 million has seen a series of legislative measures curbing individual rights.

Slovakia also has the highest rate of car ownership per capita in the world.