The German paper “Die Welt” reports on an innitiative for the next German Elections
The Greens and the Opposition (SPD) in Germany will make 30kph the standard speed limit in suburban streets if they win the next election.
Major arterial roads will have a 50kph limit.
The limtis were announced in the parties’ overall traffic strategy, which will form part of their election campaign.
The parties say that the 30kph and 50kph limits will improve traffic safety, reduce noise pollution and carbon dioxide emissions as well as leading to better traffic flows. They point to the health benefits of lower car speeds as well as the better environment created for pedestrians and people riding bicycles – “specially children”.
Not surprisingly, the German Automobile Club (ADAC) opposes the policy.
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A good opinio piece on the topic was written in May by “the Urbanist”
From the article:
A spokesman for the Brussels-based European Cycling Federation, Julian Ferguson, says the magic formula in Europe for boosting cycling is to “slow cars down to 30 km/h and where speeds are above this, you need to have separate, segregated paths.” (See here for other possible explanations).
I think the 30 km/h limit is good advice. It’s consistent with the recommendations of Toronto medico, Dr David Mckeown, who says a 30 km/h limit on residential streets and a limit of 40 km/h on other roads would improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians.
He points out a pedestrian has only a 5% chance of dying if struck by a car travelling at 30 km/h. However the likelihood of dying rises to 85% if the car is doing 50 km/h.
So while dedicated infrastructure is highly desirable, the pragmatic thing to do is to put at least equal effort into the sorts of institutional changes that will enable cyclists and drivers to share road space as happily and safely as possible. However compromises are inevitable – a 30 km/h limit is probably only plausible in the inner suburbs at this time.
Ther article attracted 35 comments, some quite lengthy.
A 30 km/h speed limit in Perth is a bit of a dream, maybe we will get there eventually. We don’t even have 50 km/h in all the right places. Lately I have noticed a lot of 60 km/h roads that should be 50 km/h. These are narrow roads in built up areas. I am going to make a few calls to people to find out why we have these. I figure if I keep niggling, our government will get the message that there are people who think that there is more to life than driving.
Agreed. 30km/ph in residential areas is more than fast enough. There’s plenty of research to show that the low speeds does indeed have a positive relationship with reducing injuries and fatalities, whilst also improving traffic flow and only having a negligible effect on overall trip times (due to the better traffic flow and less accidents).
Also agree. 30km/ph in residential areas is ample and dedicated cycle paths.
ABC 720 radio showed no interest in discussing this, replying this would just upset all the drivers currently stuck in peak hour traffic. I think the message got lost there.
Since many roads already have painted markings, I asked Main Roads about painting cycle paths (or even easily visible crossings) on the roads, as seen in other states and countries. Their reply was paint on the roads was too slippery for motorcyclists, therefore not a good option.
Anyone heard of the Vision Zero Policy in Sweden?
As I understand it vision zero in Sweden suggests lower speeds for cars in areas where the cars have to mix with vulnerable road users. This is completly lost on the Road Safety Council and the RAC.
Slippery paint motorbike hazard = Main Roads weak cop-out.
I have also asked City of Stirling about similar stuff (lower speed limits, painted line to indicate bike priority lane), specifically with respect to West Coast Drive between Trigg and Hillarys. This is a really popular recreational cycling route but the shared path also has heaps of pedestrians. Cyclists are hated by pedestrians on the shared path, but risk lives mixing it with cars on the road. A conundrum which could be addressed by Main Roads of CoS. CoS didn’t bother to reply but I got a letter published in the local rag.
Agree re 30kmh limit and dedicated bike paths. It’s what we would all love
As we keep talking about lower speeds on selected urban and suburban roads, people shudder a bit less the longer we keep the issue in discussion.
Great idea for Western Australia! Politically impossible until we have built a more bicycle friendly society! The majority of our fellow West Australians are married to their cars and few keep the speed limits now. Many, if not most, call police efforts to enforce speed limits revenue rasing – not harm reduction!