Budapest is preparing for a major pedestrian-friendly transformation, with 200 new crossings, more accessible tram stops and safer residential streets among the goals of a newly approved long-term strategy.
The Budapest General Assembly approved the city’s new pedestrian strategy on Friday, setting targets that include 200 additional pedestrian crossings by 2030, more accessible public transport stops and widespread traffic calming in residential areas. The plan was prepared by the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) over roughly a year and a half.
200 new crossings – and fewer barriers
One of the first major targets is to create 200 new pedestrian crossings by the end of the decade.
Budapest also wants at least half of its tram stops to become fully accessible by 2030. At present, only 43% of the capital’s 658 tram stops fully meet accessibility requirements, according to BKK’s latest assessment. By comparison, 83% of bus and trolleybus stops meet the standards.
The city is also targeting some of Budapest’s more awkward intersections. By 2035, junctions where pedestrians currently have to use road underpasses should become accessible, with street-level crossings introduced wherever possible.
That could gradually change the experience of navigating some of Budapest’s busiest roads, particularly for people with reduced mobility, parents with pushchairs and elderly pedestrians.
Every residential street could eventually become calmer
By 2040, every local residential street would either form part of a traffic-calmed zone or receive physical measures designed to make drivers slow down. Major roads should also eventually have continuous, accessible pavements and safer crossing points at regular intervals.
The long-term deadline is 2050, by which Budapest aims to make its public-space and transport network fully accessible and substantially more pedestrian-friendly.
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What Budapest residents actually asked for
The strategy was also shaped by a public consultation. More than 1,700 people completed BKK’s questionnaire, while residents placed over 3,000 suggestions on an interactive map.
An overwhelming 95% of respondents said making Budapest comfortable, safe and accessible for pedestrians was important; even among respondents who mainly travel by car, support reached 81%.
Interestingly, new crossings were not the only priority. More shade and greenery topped the wish list, selected by 81% of respondents. Missing pavements came next at 73%, followed by repairs to existing pavements at 62%.
The survey also showed how quickly Budapest residents are willing to walk when conditions are right: more than 99% said they would choose to walk for journeys shorter than five minutes, while 80% would still do so for trips of 10–14 minutes.
Rather than one single construction project, the newly approved strategy sets the direction for dozens of smaller changes across Budapest — from a new zebra on a busy road to quieter neighbourhood streets and easier access to public transport.
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Funny how motorized vehicles are presented as the enemy of pedestrians when even the headline photo shows a bicyclists illegally cycling on the sidewalk.
Give me cars and trucks over idiots on bicycles and scooters any day of the week!