pedestrian area

Meaning

A 'pedestrian area' (often called a pedestrian zone) is a street or part of a town reserved solely for people walking. Vehicles are generally banned or highly restricted in these areas to make shopping and walking safer and more pleasant. You will often find shops, cafes, and historic sites here.

Examples

• The old town has been turned into a lovely pedestrian area with outdoor cafes.

  The old town has been turned into a lovely pedestrian area with outdoor cafes.

• You can't drive down this street because it's a designated pedestrian area.

  You can't drive down this street because it's a designated pedestrian area.

• We spent the afternoon wandering through the city's main pedestrian area.

  We spent the afternoon wandering through the city's main pedestrian area.

• Is there a parking lot near the entrance to the pedestrian area?

  Is there a parking lot near the entrance to the pedestrian area?

• Delivery trucks are only allowed in the pedestrian area early in the morning.

  Delivery trucks are only allowed in the pedestrian area early in the morning.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Let's walk in the pedestrians area.

  ✓ Let's walk in the pedestrian area.

  'Pedestrian' acts as a noun modifier here and must remain singular.

• ✗ The center of the town is a walking-only zone.

  ✓ The center of the town is a pedestrian area.

  While 'walking-only' is descriptive, 'pedestrian area' or 'pedestrian zone' is the standard terminology used on signs and by native speakers.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Cars are not allowed here because it is a ___.

  💡 A zone reserved only for people on foot.

  Show answer

  pedestrian area

• Many European cities have a large ___ in their historic centers.

  💡 An area where you can walk safely without traffic.

  Show answer

  pedestrian area