Factually speaking, no one drives in first gear without gas in Germany either. But that's no different than the adherence to any other speed limit.

And of course it's painful, that's the point. You're supposed to avoid those 4-10km/h areas if at all possible. They're basically an admittance of "we couldn't technically forbid cars from entering". You'll never encounter them when shopping, going to church, or driving to the park.