20mph speed limits in Wales

Simon E wrote:

Guardian article published just now: Vehicle damage claims in Wales fall 20% since speed limit cut to 20mph, says insurer

The restriction is clearly having an impact.

Preventing impacts, surely?

Hmm, I wasn’t sure about the

Hmm, I wasn’t sure about the 20mph speed limits at first, but since they’ve been introdcued in London I’ve got used to them and now appreciate them. If you’re cycling, it’s definitely a safety benefit if the motor vehicles are going (more or less) at 20mph and the same goes for pedestrians too. When you see a car going by at 30mph, it instantly looks too fast. The research so far already reflects the safety benefits.

For all those drivers moaning about 20mph being too slow and inefficient, they might want to check some facts. Research shows that for urban areas, the 20mph speed limits make little difference to journey times.

I commute 2 times/week by motorbike to the office and about 7 miles of that 17 mile journey is on roads previously with a 30mph limit and now with a 20mph limit. And the difference in commute time is….. hardly anything. Interestingly, I also use slightly less fuel, not more! I assume this is because I accelerate less, which is when vehicles use more fuel. I’m getting up to 5 miles more out of a tank of fuel, not much, but noticeable all the same. And better fuel economy means fewer emissions too.

As much as trundling along on a sports motorcycle at 20mph may seem more frustrating than reaching the heady speed of 30mph, I can’t see a difference in my commuting time. I’ve got used to it now. Going slower means less braking effort, so brakepads and tyres will last a little bit longer too. 

So the next time you hear a motorist moaning about having to drive at 20mph rather than 30mph and how their vehicle is inefficient at that speed and how it takes so much longer, maybe ask them some pointed questions about the difference in journey times. I bet they can’t see a difference.

So, just after the evidence
So, just after the evidence comes out showing that 20mph limits reduce casualties, the Conservatives announce that they will ban them if elected. Thankfully, that’s similar to me planning all the things I’m going to do when I win the lottery, even though I never buy a ticket.

Also – I think at least as

Also – I think at least as important are the more “touchy-feely” metrics – has this created nicer places?  How have people’s feelings about maybe walking or cycling that trip changed?  (Perhaps it’s as subtle as “I’ve noticed conversations are easier on the way back from school now and I get less ‘but why can’t you drive us there?’ “)?

Or (more definable – although perhaps takes longer to change) what has been the impact on numbers walking and cycling?

Well, color me surprised! In

Well, color me surprised! In just three months, 218 fewer casualties, a 32% reduction.

andystow wrote:

andystow wrote:

I’m planning a LEJOG next year, but unfortunately the sensible routes don’t go through Wales. I will try to work in a visit before I get to my start at Land’s End.

I can’t promise that vehicles

I can’t promise that vehicles driven outside urban areas will be as considerate (and certainly won’t be doing 20 mph). But there are parts of Wales where a cycling can be great… provided you aren’t expecting the terrain to be flat!