Sfax – Total Recklessness : Motorbikes Race Through Pedestrian Zone 
View: https://youtu.be/ahdcincSGDA
By
Hamza
12 June 2025
A shocking yet sadly familiar scene unfolded on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in downtown Sfax, on the eve of Eid.
A video filmed by a local resident shows several motorbikes speeding through a pedestrian-only area meant to be a safe space for families, children, and passers-by.
All of this took place amid general indifference.
Far from being an isolated incident, such behavior is becoming routine in many Tunisian cities, turning public walkways into hazardous zones.
Pedestrian Zones Turned into Slalom Tracks
In Sfax, as in other major cities across the country, pedestrian zones are theoretically protected to offer citizens a secure and relaxing space.
In reality, motorbikes often appear out of nowhere—sometimes even carrying three unhelmeted riders—zigzagging between strollers, market stalls, and pedestrians.
What was intended to be a calm, family-friendly space has effectively become an obstacle course, putting children who play there freely at serious risk.
Local authorities seem overwhelmed—or at least strikingly unresponsive. No visible police presence, let alone any deterrent action, was reported.
This laissez-faire attitude has gradually normalized what should be considered unacceptable.
A Disturbing National Trend
This phenomenon is not limited to Sfax. Reports from Tunis, Kairouan, Sousse, Mahdia, and Monastir all point to similar patterns of lawlessness in areas officially designated as pedestrian-only.
Motorbikes weave freely along sidewalks, through souks, and even inside municipal markets, contributing to the unchecked takeover of public space.
These are no longer mere infractions, but a direct challenge to public authority and safety.
The risk of serious accidents remains ever-present, particularly for children and the elderly—those most vulnerable to such irresponsible behavior.
Helmet Neglect: Another Ticking Time Bomb
Another critical issue deserves attention: riding motorbikes without helmets, particularly in Sfax and across the Sahel region.
Riders frequently travel two or three to a bike, completely unprotected.
Awareness campaigns have struggled to change mindsets, and road checks appear too infrequent to have any real impact.
It bears repeating that, according to the World Health Organization, helmets reduce the risk of fatal head injuries by 40%. And yet, on Tunisian streets, wearing one seems more like the exception than the rule.
An Urgent Call to Authorities
With public spaces becoming increasingly unsafe, it is urgent for both local and national authorities to take decisive action.
This trend can no longer be ignored.
Concrete measures must be implemented: greater police presence in pedestrian areas, stronger financial penalties, the confiscation of offending vehicles, and targeted awareness campaigns—especially in schools.
Urban safety is not a luxury; it is a fundamental obligation. Protecting pedestrian zones means protecting families, children, and ultimately, the very fabric of communal life.
A shocking yet sadly familiar scene unfolded on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in downtown Sfax, on the eve of Eid. A video filmed by a local resident shows several motorbikes speeding through a pedestrian-only area meant to be a safe space for families, children, and passers-by. All of this took place...
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