The debate has been open for some time: what speed limit should be applied in urban areas?
The topic has returned to relevance with the very recent decision of the Milan City Council, which has chosen to extend the 30 km/h limit to the entire city – starting from January 1, 2024: currently, the so-called 30 Zones cover about 15% of the roads, leaving the ordinary 50 km/h limit in force in the rest of the city. But already in November 2022, the Bologna City Council had made a similar decision, setting June 2023 as the transition date.
The objective: to reduce accidents and encourage alternative and sustainable mobility, increasing safety for cyclists and pedestrians. In European capitals where the measure is already active – for example, Paris and Brussels, since 2021 – the results are encouraging. There has been a decrease in the number of road accident victims, a reduction in emissions, and greater attention from motorists. Other major cities such as London, Zurich, Valencia, Helsinki, and others are moving in the same direction.
Europe demands it
The measure responds to a request from the European Parliament, which urges a Commission resolution "to apply safe speed limits (…) such as maximum speeds of 30 km/h in residential areas and areas with a high number of cyclists and pedestrians." Furthermore, it invites Member States to "apply dissuasive speed sanctions (…) and to evaluate the possibility of awareness courses to rehabilitate repeat offenders."
Italy at 30 km/h
But is the speed limit in urban centers changing in Italian cities? Yes and no. Small municipalities are moving the most: Olbia was the first in Italy to decide, adopting the 30 Zone throughout the inhabited center since June 2021. A successful experiment, according to Mayor Settimo Nizzi: the initial discontent has been overcome and "now people are calling us to urge checks and interventions for those who do not respect the rule," he declared to Ansa.
Since the first 30 km/h road in Cesena in 1998, things are progressing well in many small towns. Reggio Emilia, Vicenza, Verona, Bari, Caserta, Bergamo, Arezzo, Cuneo: the list of cities with large 30 km/h zones is growing. Many with the goal of extending them over time to the suburbs.
In Rome, Mobility Councillor Eugenio Patanè declared himself "absolutely in favor of the path taken by the Milan municipal administration on 30 zones." With over 120 people dying in 2022 on city roads, calls for measures to increase road safety have become pressing. With the goal of reducing deaths and serious injuries by 20% within 3 years and by 50% within 10 years, funds have already been allocated for the creation of 69 environmental islands and 30 zones.
Milan, Bologna, and Rome are on board, Naples, make a move!
