Our work: 20's Plenty

The Initiative is convinced that a new default limit of 20mph in built up areas is essential to provide safe conditions for the expansion in walking and cycling that is needed both to make our transport system more sustainable and to improve the overall fitness of the population and the environment of our cities, towns and villages.
We must create a more equitable road network. The speed limit for built-up areas, 30mph, is more or less lethal in the case of conflict between drivers and sustainable travellers. The intimidating road environment in our towns and cities is the most important deterrent to walking and cycling.
Casualties are not evenly distributed by mode, age or income. We have one of the worst child pedestrian casualty records in Europe and the picture is grimmer if income is taken into account. Child pedestrians from poorer households are five times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in road crashes than their richer counterparts.
Public attitude surveys demonstrate that road danger generates traffic: one recent study found that 44% of people ‘said they would cycle more if the roads were safer and 26% would travel less by car if the conditions for walking locally were better.’ This represents a huge potential to transform our transport system and reduce its impacts.
Streets aren’t just for the movement of motorised traffic: they are our most important public open space. The Commission for Integrated Transport study of European Best Practice found that area wide 20mph zones, covering between 65-85% of the urban road network, were ‘the one critical success factor underpinning best practice’ in balanced use of street space. ‘It has been fundamental in prompting both strong growth in walking and cycling and in the ability of public transport to compete with the private car. ... This initiative has helped transform the case study cities across Europe from being noisy, polluted places into vibrant, people centred environments as well as facilitating the widespread re-allocation of street space to public transport, cycling and walking to meet increased demand.’
Our current research project, 20’s Plenty, seeks to establish the status of 20mph limits and their use in delivering wider transport objectives and obstacles to their implementation. Another important part of the research is a survey of local community experience. We are also researching European good practice. Our report is due out in early 2006.
To support our campaign for a 20mph speed limit, visit our '20's Plenty' campaign page. Back
Sustainable speed limits