Source: Zag Daily

Eurocities, the advocacy body which represents more than 200 large European cities, has published the results of its 2025 Eurocities Pulse survey on 30km/h speed limits. These lower urban limits are linked to safer city streets, reducing road deaths and injuries, without an increase in congestion or journey times.

The survey was conducted among 38 cities in 19 European countries, assessing different methods of implementation, and the impact, challenges and supportive frameworks of lowering speed limits. The survey respondents are mobility professionals working in cities’ administrations and transport planning agencies.

Results show that many local governments have introduced 30 km/h speed limits in targeted urban areas, with a priority given to residential neighbourhoods and around schools.

Clear positive results of fewer road deaths and injuries were reported by 75% of cities. Beyond this headline figure, 91% of cities reported at least one positive impact on urban life, such as an increase in active mobility, and decreasing air and noise pollution. The respondents’ answers also show that these positive effects are, crucially, not offset by negative effects on congestion, traffic volumes or journey times, and have only limited but manageable impact on public transport.

Challenges before and after implementation

During the planning and rollout stages of lower speed limit introduction, 45% of cities reported facing political opposition, and 37% saw public resistance. Legal and regulatory barriers presented a problem for 40% of cities, and almost a third of respondents cited limited administrative capacity for implementation.

Following implementation, the challenges eased off. Political opposition fell to only 18%, public opposition to 21%, and legal obstacles to just 5%. Eurocities reported to Zag Daily that none of the cities in the survey reversed their speed limit policies after implementation.

Two members of the Eurocities Task Force on 30 km/h shared their insights.

Michele Campaniello, Deputy Mayor of Bologna and Chair of the task force, said, “For some time now, Bologna has been committed to improving the safety and liveability of its streets. While there were initial challenges and scepticism, the results are clear: safer roads, calmer traffic and a better urban environment for everyone. These measures are making a tangible difference, and cities can learn from each other to accelerate progress towards Vision Zero. Once people experience the benefits of safer, calmer streets, support grows quickly and resistance fades.“

Gergely Karácsony, Mayor of Budapest and Vice Chair of the task force, said, “Despite the shrinking democratic space, reduced subsidiarity, and increasing budget cuts and taxes imposed by the Orbán regime, Budapest remains committed to halving fatal traffic incidents by 2030 and achieving Vision Zero by 2050.”

Implementation methods

According to the survey, cities’ implementation of lower speed limit zones tends to be gradual and targeted, often prioritising residential areas (53% of cities), school streets (42%) and historic centres (45%), while key corridors will retain higher speed limits. 57% of cities report that over half of their road networks are now operating with speed limits under 50 km/h.

Karácsony states, “We must redesign streets for safety, lower speed limits, promote cooperative driving and safer vehicles, and strengthen institutional and legislative protections for vulnerable road users. Speed management is being applied as a strategic urban safety tool, as part of our goal to save 800 lives. In Budapest, new speed cameras have reduced speeding, and fatal crashes fell by 37% in just one year.”

Significance of the survey

As the European Commission prepares its mid-term review of the EU Road Safety Policy Framework, and work continues towards the Vision Zero goal of eliminating road deaths altogether, the Eurocities survey provides valuable evidence on the effectiveness of lowering urban speed limits. The wide-ranging scope of the survey demonstrates that these measures are scalable, and widely accepted after implementation. Eurocities states, however, that “local action alone is not enough to deliver the systemic change needed across Europe.”

“Creating a more liveable environment cannot wait,” says Karácsony. “National governments and EU institutions can accelerate progress by giving municipalities clearer legal powers, stronger technical guidance, and better access to shared evidence and proven implementation models, and most importantly dedicated funding.”

An infographic presenting the key findings of the Eurocities Pulse survey can be seen here.