Almost in the entire city: Velostadt Amsterdam switches to 30 km/h

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In Amsterdam, a speed limit of 30 km/h will apply on most streets from Friday. It is the first city in the Netherlands to lower the speed limit on this large scale.

The Canal Metropolis hopes that this will make the city safer and quieter. On Friday evening, special teams were expected to release thousands of previously placed traffic signs.

The speed limit is necessary because of the increasing traffic in the city, says Transport Councilor Melanie van der Horst. “This creates more and more dangerous situations in traffic.” Last year, approximately 4,800 traffic accidents were reported requiring an ambulance. 15 people died.

It is not just the number of inhabitants that is increasing; approximately 800,000 people currently live there. More than 20 million tourists come to the Dutch capital every year.

Bicycle for car

The new speed limit applies to more than 80 percent of the roads. Driving speeds of 50 kilometers per hour are only allowed on main roads. An exception also applies to city buses, trams and taxis – but only if there is an extra lane for them.

Amsterdam wants to give priority to cyclists and pedestrians. Many streets in the center were also closed to car traffic and turned into pedestrian and bicycle zones. There are also more and more bicycle streets, bicycle streets where cars are only guests and cyclists have priority. (SDA)

Source: Blick