🚲 Can I cycle on the pavement?

With conditions

Quick answer

No, not as an adult — cyclists belong on the cycle path or the road, not the pavement. Only children under 10 may ride on it. Within the built-up area you must, as a cyclist, use the cycle path if there is a usable one, otherwise the road; the pavement is not allowed for ordinary cyclists (art. 9.1.2 of the road code). The exception: children under 10 (up to and including age 9) may always cycle on the pavement and the raised verge, provided they do not hinder pedestrians and give way. Outside the built-up area, cyclists of any age may use the pavement or verge on the right in their direction, giving way to pedestrians. If you get off and walk your bike by hand, you count as a pedestrian and may use the pavement. Note: the new road-use code raises the age limit to 12, but only from 2027 — in 2026 it is still under 10.

📋 The rules

Within the built-up area: cyclists use the cycle path or the road, not the pavement (art. 9.1.2)
Children under 10 (up to and including 9) may cycle on the pavement and the raised verge
They must give way to pedestrians and not endanger them
Outside the built-up area: cyclists of any age may use the pavement/verge on the right, giving way to pedestrians
Walking your bike by hand = you count as a pedestrian (art. 2.17) and may use the pavement
New road-use code: limit raised to 12, but only from 2027

🔓 Exceptions

Outside the built-up area, any cyclist may use the pavement or verge (level or raised), on the right and giving way to pedestrians
Someone pushing a bike on foot is a pedestrian and then belongs on the pavement
Children under 10 (up to and including 9) may cycle on the pavement and the raised verge, as long as they give way to pedestrians

⚠️ Penalties & fines

Cycling on the pavement when not allowed is a first-degree offence. Since the traffic-fine increase on 1 July 2026, the immediate settlement is €64 (previously €58), plus an administrative surcharge of €10.67. If you don't pay, the prosecutor can pursue it and the amount rises — getting off and pushing therefore always stays the cheapest option. And even where cycling on the pavement is allowed (children under 10, or outside the built-up area), the condition holds: give way to pedestrians and do not endanger them. Hinder them and the exception falls away.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

Can I cycle on the pavement as an adult?

No. Within the built-up area you must use the cycle path if there is a usable one, otherwise the road. Outside the built-up area you may ride on the right on the pavement or verge, giving way to pedestrians.

From what age can my child no longer ride on the pavement?

Children may cycle on the pavement while they are under 10, so up to and including age 9. From their tenth birthday they belong on the cycle path or the road, just like adult cyclists.

Can I push my bike by hand on the pavement?

Yes. Someone walking a bike counts legally as a pedestrian (art. 2.17) and may use the pavement. The only condition: you must not hinder the other pedestrians on it — so getting off is always the safe way out.

How much is a fine for cycling on the pavement?

Since 1 July 2026 it is an immediate settlement of €64, up from €58, plus a €10.67 administrative surcharge. If you don't pay, the prosecutor can pursue it and the amount rises further.

Is it true that the age limit moves to 12?

Yes, the new road-use code raises the limit from 10 to 12, but that rule only takes effect from 2027. In 2026 it therefore stays: only children under 10 may cycle on the pavement.

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