Pedestrian zoneSwitzerland

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Switzerland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


12. Pedestrian zone

A pedestrian zone is an area consisting of one or more streets that are reserved primarily for pedestrians. Motor-vehicle access is normally prohibited or restricted to authorised users, particular purposes or specified times.

Pedestrians may usually use the full width of the available road space. Rules concerning cyclists, deliveries, public transport, vehicle speed, stopping and parking depend on local traffic signs and regulations.

Pedestrian zone
Pedestrian-zone and street signs on Rue de la Croix-d'Or. (Geneva, Switzerland)
Wikimedia.org • Yann Forget • CC BY-SA
How should I recognise pedestrian-only access in Switzerland?

Official terms include German Fussgängerzone, French zone piétonne and Italian zona pedonale. The zone is reserved for pedestrians and the users covered by its rules; other traffic needs the signed exception.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • OSR Arts 22b–22c: pedestrian zones and signed exceptions

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • OSR 741.21, 1 October 2026: OSR Arts 22b–22c: pedestrian zones and signed exceptions

Start of a zone for pedestrians. Start of a zone for pedestrians.

English • Traffic sign 2.59.3 • Pedestrian zone.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 2.59.3 • Fussgängerzone.

Français • Signal 2.59.3 • Zone piétonne.

Italiano • Segnale 2.59.3 • Zona pedonale.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)

🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)

🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Source revision 2017-07-08. Wikimedia original unmodified.

End of the zone for pedestrians. End of the zone for pedestrians.

English • Traffic sign 2.59.4 • End of pedestrian zone.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 2.59.4 • Ende der Fussgängerzone.

Français • Signal 2.59.4 • Fin de la zone piétonne.

Italiano • Segnale 2.59.4 • Fine della zona pedonale.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)

🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)

🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-08. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 2.59.4, PDF page 112. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

May cyclists ride in pedestrian areas in Switzerland?

Ridden cycles need permission from the applicable additional sign. Admitted traffic must use walking pace, and pedestrians have priority. This differs from Switzerland’s separately signed 20 km/h residential area.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • OSR Arts 22b–22c: pedestrian zones and signed exceptions

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • OSR 741.21, 1 October 2026: OSR Arts 22b–22c: pedestrian zones and signed exceptions

Which rules apply to vehicles admitted to pedestrian areas in Switzerland?

All admitted traffic must travel at walking pace and pedestrians have priority. Loading and vehicle access must comply with the signed exceptions. Switzerland’s separately signed 20 km/h residential area has a different regime; its limit does not apply automatically in a pedestrian zone.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • OSR Arts 22b–22c: pedestrian zones and signed exceptions

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • OSR 741.21, 1 October 2026: OSR Arts 22b–22c: pedestrian zones and signed exceptions

1 Switzerland 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Minimum speed 8 Footpath 9 Bike path 10 Shared-use path 11 Tunnel 12 Pedestrian zone 13 Customs 14 One-way traffic 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Bus stop 18 Dead end 19 Stop sign 20 Give way 21 Roundabout 22 Priority road 23 Road narrowing 24 Priority over oncoming traffic 25 Give way to oncoming traffic 26 Pedestrian crossing 27 Railway crossing 28 Mandatory direction 29 Turn prohibition 30 School area 31 Overtaking 32 Crossing animals 33 Slippery road 34 Rockfall 35 Aircraft 36 Curve 37 Chevron 38 Wrong-way driving 39 Roadworks 40 Crosswind 41 Height limit 42 Width limit 43 Length limit 44 Weight limit 45 Intersection direction sign 46 Priority at the next junction 47 Traffic lights 48 Traffic lights warning 49 Pedestrian lights 50 Road markings 51 Junction layout 52 Driving licence 53 Location marker 54 Road number 55 Countdown markers 56 Traffic mirror 57 Emergency telephone 58 International border 59 Pedestrian underpass 60 Cycling route 61 End of restriction 62 Parking 63 No parking 64 No stopping 65 Parking disc 66 Reversing 67 U-turn 68 Traffic jam 69 Detour 70 Uncontrolled crossroad 71 Road surface 72 Exit 73 Information point 74 Horse riding 75 Emergency exit 76 Runaway truck ramp 77 Radio service 78 Oversize load 79 City limit 80 Hospital 81 Parking garage 82 Passing place 83 Pedestrian overpass 84 Axle weight limit 85 Licence plate 86 Charging station 87 Dangers 88 Weather 89 Turn on red 90 Pedestrian 91 Cyclist 92 Moped 93 Motorcycle 94 Car 95 Truck 96 Bus 97 Police 98 Ambulance 99 Tailgating 100 European emission standard ...