Riigikogu Bans Stopping Vehicles on Sidewalks for Loading Cargo
On June 12, the Riigikogu passed amendments to the Traffic Act and the Police and Border Guard Act, which include a provision that, starting July 1, 2025, vehicles will no longer be allowed to stop on sidewalks for loading cargo.
The current Traffic Act (§ 20 (6)) allows drivers to stop on sidewalks for loading cargo, provided they are not within 15 meters of a public transport stop and leave at least a 1.5-meter-wide walkway for pedestrians. The new law, adopted by the Riigikogu, repeals this provision, effectively banning drivers from stopping on sidewalks for loading cargo.
The aim of this change is to make sidewalks safer for pedestrians, a goal that the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) fully supports. However, the ECCI is concerned that this change may negatively impact businesses and residents in urban areas where there are no nearby parking spaces or other suitable places for loading cargo. This change will also affect transportation companies, such as courier services and moving companies.
With the new law in effect, drivers will need to find appropriate parking spaces for loading cargo or stop their vehicles in locations permitted by traffic control devices, such as safety islands or medians. If local governments do not provide suitable infrastructure, such as dedicated loading zones on the roadway or designated safe spots on sidewalks or bike paths marked with appropriate traffic signs and markings, it will be challenging for residents and businesses in these areas, as well as the companies providing transport services to them.
During the legislative process, the Chamber proposed to the Ministry of Climate and the Riigikogu Economic Affairs Committee to retain the option in the Traffic Act to allow vehicles to stop on sidewalks for loading cargo in certain cases. Given that the changes affect many businesses and individuals, it is not reasonable to implement such a change quickly. Both businesses and local governments should be given more time to find solutions and implement them so that vehicles can stop for loading cargo in places other than sidewalks.
The Riigikogu partially considered the Chamber's proposal by postponing the implementation of this change by six months. Initially, the change was to take effect at the beginning of 2025, but the adopted law now sets the implementation date as July 1, 2025.
The Estonian Logistics and Freight Forwarding Association has convened a broad-based working group to find solutions in cooperation with businesses and local governments so that, upon the change's implementation, vehicles can stop for loading cargo in places other than sidewalks. It is currently unknown whether and what kind of agreement will be reached.