A velocity restrict of 30 kilometres per hour (19 miles per hour) got here into drive on most streets in Paris on Monday.
Despite some criticism, pin the French capital mentioned their choice was in keeping with a survey that confirmed 59% of Parisians had been in favor of the brand new velocity restrict.
The measure can also be in keeping with an attraction issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) in May, calling for strict velocity limits in city areas.
Up till Monday, round 60% of Parisian streets had the 30 kmh restrict. Now, it applies in all places besides essential ring roads and highways.
Why is Paris introducing the velocity restrict?
Paris officers introduced the brand new measure in July, saying that it was aimed toward rising site visitors security, creating more room for cyclists, lowering noise and contributing to local weather safety.
“The point is to reduce the space taken by cars, which involves lowering their speeds,” Paris’ deputy mayor, David Belliard, mentioned.
The velocity restrict is likely one of the marketing campaign guarantees made by the town’s socialist mayor, Anne Hidalgo, earlier than final yr’s native elections.
Hidalgo has additionally expanded biking lanes within the metropolis, and is pushing forward with plans to take away 60,000 of the town’s roughly 140,000 street-level parking areas.
What do critics of the velocity restrict say?
Critics argue that Paris’ new anti-car insurance policies would create large site visitors complications for residents, and individuals who should commute to the capital from the suburbs.
The “40 millions automobilists” automobile drivers’ affiliation additionally solid doubt on the measure. It argued that there have been already few site visitors accidents in Paris and that they principally affected cyclists.
