Between traffic and walking discourse: Pedestrians in the traffic machine, hints from the Estonian case.

This article examines the concept of pedestrians within the framework of traffic regulation, focusing on Estonia as a case study to illustrate the emergence of what it terms "traffic discourse." Traffic discourse treats pedestrians as mechanized, rule-bound elements of a traffic system, exemplified by the Estonian term "liikleja," which denotes a disciplined road user subject to codified norms. This perspective contrasts with "walking discourse," which emphasizes the holistic, embodied, and diverse experiences of walking beyond mere traffic participation. The historical analysis of Estonian traffic regulations from the early twentieth century onward reveals a shift from informal pedestrian freedom toward formalized control and safety measures, such as compulsory safety reflectors, reflecting broader trends in motorized urban environments. The article suggests that walking discourse offers a more nuanced understanding of pedestrians as social and sensory beings, challenging the reduction of walkers to automated components within traffic systems.