Protest in Imanta demands safer railway crossing for pedestrians and cyclists

On Saturday, June 28, a protest named "Safe Crossing" took place at the Imanta railway crossing, organized by the association "Pilsēta cilvēkiem" (City for People). Participants emphasized that automatic rising barriers, currently installed only for cars, should also be provided for pedestrians and cyclists—a solution common in many parts of Europe.

The association stated that they have repeatedly contacted both AS "Latvijas dzelzceļš" (Latvian Railways) and the Riga City Council, but so far without success. If the municipality does not respond by August 1, the association threatened to take legal action. They also submitted a complaint to the Riga city executive director regarding inaction.

About 15 people gathered at the protest, holding placards with messages such as "It is too expensive to save lives – it's affordable to sue residents" and "Barriers cost less than human lives". A symbolic homemade barrier was also erected with the inscription "LDz cannot afford me".

Over the past eight months, two tragic incidents have occurred at or near the Imanta crossing. On October 1, 2025, two underage girls died while crossing the tracks on an e-scooter, and on June 7, 2026, a man was fatally struck by a train near the crossing.

The chairman of the association's board, Brunis Mārtiņš Ķibilds, expressed confidence that the Imanta case could serve as a model for other locations in Latvia. Meanwhile, Latvian Railways has rejected the demand, considering the currently installed pedestrian labyrinths sufficient for safety.