Brussels 30kph zone: it can be done if you want it enough!

[StuAff]

Are they still allowing 50cc scooters on these paths? Those freaked me out every single time…

 

[ClichéGuevara]

I don't know if it still holds true, but at one point not so long back, we had more miles of 20 mph roads than anywhere in the UK. They looked at changing some of the others, but they realised the traffic didn't reach that speed anyway, as we've more congestion than anywhere else in England.

 

[Drago]

The problem is, Brussels is a sheet hole and youre doing everyone a favour if they can transit in as little time as possible.

 

[mjr]

Are they still allowing 50cc scooters on these paths? Those freaked me out every single time…

Yes, unlike Amsterdam, the smaller "snorfiets"/"mobylette" seem still allowed on Brussels cycleways. The larger 50cc bromfiets/mopeds are not allowed on all of them.

 

[FishFright]

Governments just need to geow some cojones and force people out of cars entirely. The public know that the days of unfettered private car use with no consequence is on the horizon, but decline to acknowledge it - better to start to embrace it now, as the longer that day is held off the more painful it will be for everyone when it arrives.

It would cost the poor car companies millions in bribes to make that idea go away

 

[Archie_tect]

A 20mph limit would mean bikes could keep up with traffic and far fewer serious injuries as vehicles could stop very quickly... so there'd be no need for cycle paths as the road system would be suitable for everyone including children cycling to and from school and people nipping to the shops on their bikes... It becomes a mind-set- enhanced policing at the start with a few average speed camera systems on the major routes would soon slow the motorists down. Speeders would be far more obvious as they'd stand out.
Fantastic!

 

[mjr]

A 20mph limit would mean bikes could keep up with traffic and far fewer serious injuries as vehicles could stop very quickly... so there'd be no need for cycle paths as the road system would be suitable for everyone including children cycling to and from school and people nipping to the shops on their bikes... It becomes a mind-set- enhanced policing at the start with a few average speed camera systems on the major routes would soon slow the motorists down. Speeders would be far more obvious as they'd stand out.
Fantastic!

To a degree. Even though it would not need much other infrastructure beyond route signs and maybe a few no-through-motors, it is probably still necessary to disentangle routes and prioritise walkists and cyclists on some and encourage them to use them, while encouraging motorists onto the routes giving smoothest access to edge of town parking, to reduce pollution from the remaining motorists and conflict between types of vehicle that will always handle very differently.

This unravelling of routes is something that the Johnson/Shapps "Gear Change" policy gets correct, but most of their local government colleagues show no sign of implementing. It is also something the Netherlands gets right, but Belgium and especially Brussels does not. Even with 30kph and presumed liability, some Brussels motorists still do shoot like deliberately sideswiping cyclists http://www.vivreici.be/videos/detai...te-percute-intentionnellement?videoId=1668095

 

[Archie_tect]

If we implement Streets for Living ideas properly, ie, use streets for everything with less emphasis on straight lines/ rigid 4.8m a+ 5.5m width Highways with 2m pavements and half battered kerbs and segregation then the motorists have to drive more slowly as there are more obstacles. 20mph would be a safe maximum speed- life isn't all about the car and getting somewhere faster then the person next to you at the traffic lights... and we shouldn't force everyone to accept the existing situation just because there are some nutters around- there would be regardless of the law.