Comments on: Twenty’s Plenty

By: John W.

John W. — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:02:14 +0000

Some of those “safer driving” nations also have strict liability laws. Auto accidents create serious problems for those involved, and, in the Netherlands at least, the driver is almost always at fault when involved in a vehicle vs. pedestrian/cyclist accident (the big exception being when the pedestrian/cyclist runs into the stopped/parked car).

And, John, as far as your idea for “training” goes, increasing one’s situational awareness doesn’t do squat for the cyclist or pedestrian about to get run over or off the road by a motorist. Or has the cyclist been made safer for being more aware of his life flashing before his eyes?

Besides, what’s the hurry?

By: Ian Turner

Ian Turner — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:25:16 +0000

Andy, why should I, as a pedestrian, be subject to the consequences of your risky behavior?

By: John

John — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:00:31 +0000

Yes, granted, the US can learn from the safer driving of other nations. At the same time, I believe a responsible individual who is surrounded by lawbreaking drivers, as I am, can become that much better. But I really, really would like a writer to take on the challenge of explaining how the world is going to get to higher speed limits. I do feel this is inevitable.

By: fred_dot_u

fred_dot_u — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:15:55 +0000

Just because a vehicle, even a human powered one can exceed 20 mph does not mean it’s advisable. The purpose of the reduced speed limits is aimed at increasing safety. An HPV at 30 mph is more dangerous to others than one at 20 mph.

Part of the solution being training is reasonable to believe and part of that training should include consideration for other road users, pedestrians included.

I can and do operate at speeds greater than 20 mph in my velomobile, but not when pedestrian traffic is a concern.

The USA would do well to emulate many things from overseas, and reduced speed limits is one. Enforcement is not impossible.

By: John

John — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:48:58 +0000

How about 10 mph?

Seriously, 20 mph will be commonly exceeded by human powered vehicles in the not so distant future, and they will be precisely where these speed limits are. I think 30 mph is longer-term, and the safety, especially for children, will come from other venues.

I have not yet written of cycling in my blog Best Driver In The World, but I am an experienced cyclist who has led bike expeditions, raced, rode a recumbent, and all-weather commuted. The key here, as it is with driving, is awareness of what is around you. You should feel safe on any road. So the basic solution is training.

Many writers overlook the idea that the future will bring higher not lower speeds. It is inevitable.

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 10:26:51 +0000

Why not design roads that allow one to commute in a reasonable time and separate the driver from the pedestrian?

I accept that travelling at high speed has its risks. so should you.

By: SteveL

SteveL — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:00:44 +0000

As one of the people who pushed for 20mph in Bristol, england, I am pleased that a big chunk of our city has got. What is critical is that nearly all the main roads in the zones will be covered. Without that you’d only have the residential back roads broken up into roads you can’t get to from other parts of the city without hitting 30-mph roads, which are still the problem.

By: Yokota Fritz

Yokota Fritz — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:56:29 +0000

In California: local authorities are forbidden to set the speed limit less than 25 mph! A few towns have 15 mph speed limits through heavy pedestrian downtown zones, but those limits are unenforceable.

By: David Hembrow

David Hembrow — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:20:56 +0000

I have to point out two things related to this issue. 20 mph zones are a great idea in themselves, and I support the “20’s plenty” campaign.

However, Britain actually has very few areas with this low speed limit. The Netherlands now has over 30000 km of 30 km/h zones so has performed a much larger test of the concept. The results have been interesting. Over time, the effectiveness of the lower speed limits have reduced. You could put this down to motorists being more used to the lower limit, so more likely to ignore it.