UPDATE: A groundbreaking study from RMIT University has just confirmed that reducing speed limits to 30km/h significantly enhances cycling safety without causing major delays for motorists. The research indicates that this adjustment can decrease cyclists’ exposure to high traffic stress by an impressive 30%.
The study, conducted by RMIT’s Centre for Urban Research, reveals that for short local trips, travel time would only increase by about one minute. This finding is crucial for urban areas like Greater Melbourne, where the safety of cyclists is a growing concern.
Lead researcher Afshin Jafari emphasized that the 30km/h limit is primarily applicable to residential streets, meaning most drivers won’t experience significant changes in their average travel times. “Most trips utilize residential streets at the beginning and end of journeys, so a speed limit of 30km/h has little effect on overall travel time,” Dr. Jafari noted.
As part of a push for safer roads, Victoria is poised to enact a new speed limit law allowing local councils to propose 30km/h limits in high-pedestrian areas, particularly around schools. Transport Victoria warns that vulnerable road users face increased risks at speeds above 30km/h. Their website states, “A pedestrian hit by a car travelling at 30km/h has a 90% chance of surviving. At 40km/h, that drops to 60%, and at 50km/h, it plummets to just 10%.”
Earlier this year, the City of Yarra expanded its 30km/h trial, which began in Fitzroy and Collingwood back in 2018. Councillor Edward Crossland stated that clear evidence from around the world confirms that slower speeds can save lives. “Research shows that a person walking is at least twice as likely to be killed by a driver travelling at 40km/h compared to 30km/h,” he added.
This pressing issue has gained traction across Australia, with New South Wales adopting similar 30km/h limits in pedestrian-heavy areas and tourist locations, while Western Australia has implemented these limits in certain shopping precincts.
The implications of this study are profound, as it advocates for safer urban environments that encourage cycling. Slowing traffic not only reduces stress for cyclists but also promotes biking as a safe and viable transportation option. As cities across Australia consider these findings, the hope is that more people will opt for bicycles, contributing to healthier urban living.
What happens next? Local councils will be looking closely at the upcoming legislation and its potential impact on road safety. The community is urged to engage in discussions about these changes to ensure that the needs of all road users are met in the transition to safer streets.
