European Parliament adopts 30 km/h resolution

30Km Zone in scandinavia

Today marks a decisive day in the push for 30 km/h speed limits throughout Europe. The European Parliament adopted a resolution in which it “strongly recommends the responsible authorities to introduce speed limits of 30 km/h in all residential areas and on single-lane roads in urban areas which have no separate cycle lanes.” This resolution is part of a wide range of measures to halve Europe’s 31,000 annual road fatalities by 2020.

“Parents don’t want to be petrified by their kids walking or cycling on the side walk” notes ECF policy officer, Fabian Küster. “In the past century, increased road traffic has decimated walking and cycling. The number of kids that walk or cycle to school has decreased from 82% to 14% within the last 30 years.”

Küster adds:  “This move by the EU, it’s all about personal liberty. It’s about politicians creating cities for living in rather than thoroughfares for vehicles. And it’s about reclaiming streets and neighborhoods for people and cyclists”.

Injuries fall by 25% when 50 km/h zones are redesigned for 30 km/h according to the Dutch research institute SWOV. 

An EU-wide survey conducted in 2010 showed overwhelming support for 30 km/h zones with 78% of EU drivers citing excessive speed as a major safety concern.  The Institute of Advanced Motorists from the UK released a poll last month in which two thirds of its members supported the adoption of 20mph (32.19km/h) speed limits.

As for enforcing these speed limits, the Parliament has also requested the European Commission draft a proposal and timetable to fit vehicles with “intelligent speed assistance” (ISA), which in its severest form enforces driver compliance with speed limits.

Source: ETSC Voice Fact Sheet, 2005

Notes to the Editor

The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) represents the interests of bicycle users, is based in Brussels and has over 60 member organizations across 40 countries. As well as advocating for better cycling policies and promoting cycling at the international level in general, ECF has a range of programs including EuroVelo, the European cycle route network, the global networks  “Scientists for cycling” and “Cities for Cyclists”, the Velo-city and Velo-city Global conference series. ECF is a main partner in several EU funded projects such as PRESTO and CYCLE Logistics.                

About the Koch Report

The Koch report contains key recommendations made by the EU Transport and Tourism Committee and was adopted by the EU Parliament as a response to the European Commission’s Communication Towards a European road safety area: policy orientations on road safety 2011-2020.

A copy of the final report can be found here: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2011-0264&language=EN

What the EU adoption Means?

This report is now the European Parliament’s position on road safety and will have to be taken into consideration when the Commission puts forward proposals and initiatives, which should be brought out before the end of the year. The resolution as it currently stands is not legally binding.