Tag Archive: speed limits

  1. Amsterdam sees 5% drop in average speed following new regulations

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    Source: Nieuws Fietsberaad

    Interim study results have been published following the city’s reduction of the speed limit in certain areas from 50km/h to 30km/h in December 2023

    Since Amsterdam’s introduction of this speed limit, the average speed on designated roads has decreased by 5%, with the majority of its residents supporting the new measure, according to an interim study by the city. Six months after the new speed limit was implemented on various major streets, Amsterdam officials have reported a notable reduction in vehicle speed, marking progress in the city’s goal to improve road safety and reduce traffic-related incidents.

    The study compared traffic speeds from the first half of 2024 to the same period in 2023. On roads where the speed limit was reduced to 30 km/h, the average speed fell to 20 km/h, considering all traffic activities, including acceleration, braking, and waiting at traffic signals. In a focused sample of 24 road sections without regular traffic stops, speeds dropped by 10%, from 40 km/h to 36 km/h. Amsterdam’s alderman for traffic, Melanie van der Horst, expressed optimism about the findings. “These results confirm what we already expected: there is quieter driving in traffic, but not everyone still sticks to the speed limit. Yet 10 percent slower is good news, because every kilometer slower is a gain for road safety,” she said.

    Interestingly, the study also noted a 4% reduction in average speed on roads where the speed limit remained 50 km/h. The municipality has not determined whether this is due to increased congestion, widespread citywide adherence to slower driving, or potential driver confusion regarding speed limits on specific roads.

    Public transportation services also experienced minor delays, with 26 bus and tram lines reporting slight increases in travel times of one to three minutes. However, these delays were less significant than originally forecasted by the GVB, Amsterdam’s public transport operator.

    In a survey conducted among 1,500 residents, 817 responses revealed strong public support for the measure, with 60% of participants expressing positive views, and even higher among non-car owners, who showed a 75% approval rate. Respondents cited improved safety and a calmer road environment as key benefits. Conversely, critics highlighted issues with drivers not adhering to the new speed limit and frustrations over scooters and e-bikes frequently traveling faster than cars. Some also questioned the suitability of the 30 km/h limit on certain road designs.

    The city has initiated efforts to improve compliance, including a pilot program by the Public Prosecution Service aimed at enforcing the 30 km/h limit. In addition, Amsterdam has launched a public awareness campaign, “We Do 30 for Each Other,” to encourage adherence to the speed limit. Road line adjustments are also underway to further reinforce the changes.

    A full evaluation is scheduled for next year to assess the measure’s impact on road safety, quality of life, and emergency response times, providing more comprehensive data on Amsterdam’s shift toward a slower, safer urban environment.

  2. Rotterdam expands 30 km/h limit to more streets

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    The Dutch city will roll out lower speed limits to 115 additional streets in a bid to reduce road traffic accidents

    Source: Fietsberaad CROW

    Rotterdam will reduce the speed limit on 115 streets from 50 to 30 km/h next year. The municipality hopes to improve road safety in the city with this measure. Last year, the vast majority of traffic accidents in the city occurred on a road with a speed limit of 50 km/h.

    More than half of the streets in Rotterdam currently already have a speed limit of 30 km/h. There will be another 115, including Mariniersweg, Nieuwe Binnenweg and Mathenesserlaan. The new limits especially target busy streets where many people live or where there are shops, restaurants and cafes. In 2023, there were 1,446 traffic victims in Rotterdam, the highest number in the past 10 years. 80 percent of the accidents took place on a road with a speed limit of 50 km/h.

    To make the new speed limit clear on the street, the municipality will install new traffic signs, adjust the road markings and install speed bumps. Where possible, wider bicycle lanes will be added. There will be more safe crossings for pedestrians on 30 km/h roads.

    Not all roads in Rotterdam can go up to 30 km/h. On main routes where emergency services drive, streets where many buses and trams run and important entrance and exit roads, the maximum speed remains 50 km/h.

  3. Amsterdam grants temporary speed limit increase for cyclists

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    Source: Fietsberaad

    From April 18, fast cyclists in Amsterdam will have the opportunity to utilise a designated section of roadway spanning 500 meters for a duration of three months. This trial will occur along Eerste Constantijn Huijgensstraat and Bilderdijkstraat. The suggested speed limit on the cycle path remains at 20 kilometres per hour, while those desiring a quicker pace can opt for the lane.

    The trial stems from the winning entry of the Amsterdam Bike City Innovation Lab in 2022. Conceived by visual artist Wichert van Engelen, the idea proposes three distinct speed limits: 10 km/h for sidewalks, 20 km/h for cycle paths, and 30 km/h for roads, applicable to all modes of transportation. This initiative aims to mitigate different speeds on the cycle path.

    The municipal authorities, in collaboration with the Amsterdam Transport Region, selected the Eerste Constantijn Huijgensstraat and Bilderdijkstraat area for its high volume of bicycle traffic and the presence of a narrow cycle path segregated from the road. With overtaking proving challenging on this path due to increasing speed disparities, this choice becomes imperative.

    Melanie van der Horst, the traffic councillor, states “I hear more and more Amsterdam residents, young and old, who no longer dare to cycle in the city. I don’t want that to happen. We have previously successfully moved moped riders to the road, making the cycle path quieter. But due to the rapid rise of various electric bicycles, it is now more necessary to make room on the cycle path for people who drive slower.“

    Until July 19, cyclists exceeding the 20 kilometres per hour threshold will have access to the road, where the maximum speed limit is set at 30 kilometres per hour. The designated test zone between Overtoom and Kinkerstraat will be clearly delineated. Throughout the trial period, the municipality will monitor cyclist behaviour on the road, assess the interaction between car and bicycle traffic, and evaluate the impact on cycle path congestion. Road users will have the opportunity to provide feedback through an online questionnaire, and the municipality will conduct on-site interviews with cyclists. The results are expected at the end of this year.

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