Neve Gordon-Farleigh
The streets of Paris are set to get a lot greener, and fall a lot quieter, as a new 18mph speed limit has come into action.
Authorities have introduced a new 18mph speed limit within France’s Capital city to help the effects on climate change and reduce accidents.
This new pedestrian-friendly approach has come under effect from Mayor Anne Hidalgo to make citizens use their cars less in order to reduce noise and pollution. As Paris prepares to host the 2024 Olympic Games, the Mayor hopes that the city can become a lot greener.
Which areas will be affected?
Previous to this announcement, places in France have already seen the law including Grenoble and Lille with two-thirds of Paris already imposing the limit.
However, some parts of Paris will be kept exempt. This includes the main ring road in Paris: the Boulevard Périphérique with a speed limit of 70km/h and the Champs Elysées which will remain with a 50km/h limit.
Areas have already seen a reduction in the number of parking bays, which will see Paris lose 60,000 of its 144,000 spaces. The city will also increase cycle lanes and widen footpaths, to create streets more suited to pedestrians.
A Greener Paris
These changes are all part of Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s vision of creating a much greener Capital. When re-elected in 2020, part of her manifesto was to make Paris a place where , “you can find everything you need within 15 minutes from home.”
She aims to transform Paris into a city where citizens prefer to walk or cycle – changing their relationship with their vehicles. Some of these plans have already come into action including having cycle paths on every street and now the new limits in her mission to be more eco-friendly.
Not everyone in Paris seems to be happy with the law. In a poll, 59% of Paris citizens seemed to be in support of the speed reduction but some have criticised this decision. Delivery drivers have argued that consequently there will be longer waiting times for customers.
Have other countries used this approach?
This new rule follows a number of other countries who have began to restrict speed limits throughout their cities. Earlier this year, Brussels limited speed to 30kph – a rule which has been put in place in around 80% of streets in Berlin. Other places like London, limited certain roads within the Congestion Charging Zone to 20mph whereas Spain and Madrid have also imposed similar laws.
Countries all over the world are experiencing extreme weather conditions including the wildfires along the Mediterranean and flooding in New York and across America. Individually, countries are understanding they must act now in order to delay the effects of climate change.
Although this decision may have been met by criticism, all eyes are on global leaders to act on climate change with the upcoming COP26 hosted later this year in Glasgow.
Featured image courtesy of Florian Wehde on Unsplash. No changes or alterations were made to this image. Image license can be found here.
Neve Gordon-Farleigh
Neve is a 21 year old freelance journalist, and our Head Current Affairs and Instagram Editor for Empoword Journalism. She specialises in social media journalism and runs the Journo Resources Tik Tok page. You can find her on Twitter @Neve_GF.