Open letter to press and Dublin City Councillors:

We the undersigned SUPPORT the Dublin City Council initiative to reduce speed limits to 30km/h in the centre of the city, for the following reasons-

 The Campaign co-ordinated this letter, garnering support from many civic groups for the 30km/h limits. It was issued on Friday February 12th.

Some footnotes have been added, showing sources of information where appropriate.

1.  The longest delay for motorists in slowing from 50 to 30km/h is LITTLE MORE THAN A MINUTE -that's assuming a non-stop run along the Quays. Sixty-eight seconds is a small price to pay for safety. (1)

2.  The area affected is tiny. Along the Quays, it's 1,400 metres, about the length of 10 soccer fields. (2)

3.  Over a fifteen year period in this area, 49 people lost their lives, almost 300 were seriously injured and over 3,000 suffered minor injuries due to road traffic collisions. (3)

4.  It's one of the most densely populated residential areas in the State, with over 15,000 people living here. Noise reduction for these households at night will surely be welcome. (4)

5.  Thousands of children go to school in the zone: it contains 10 primary schools, 4 secondary schools, and 5 third-level institutions. (5)

6. 30km/h is the norm for our European neighbours' residential streets. (2,150 such zones in England including large parts of London, and widespread use in Scotland; many cities in Continental Europe: Munich; Utrecht; Stuttgart; Barcelona; Graz; Freiburg; Ghent).We mustn't lag behind our European competitors in the quality of our urban environment. (6)

7.  It's common-sense that this will improve traffic flow: Just try pouring a bag of rice into a funnel -if you pour slowly, the flow is smoother and faster. Increased pouring speeds lead to clogging.

8.  International research has shown that the probability of death for a pedestrian hit by a car travelling at 30km/h is about 5%. At 50km/h, however, it is 40% approximately. At 60km/h or above, death is virtually certain. (7)

9.  Research from the UK on speed limits tells us that on London streets, imposing 20mph (32km/h) limits has cut road injuries (measured as killed & seriously injured – ksi) by 40%, and was particularly useful in saving young children from death and injury, according to researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. (8)

10.  We're all pedestrians; even motorists have to walk at some time! The elderly, wheelchair users, the visually impaired, and those pushing buggies will really appreciate slower moving traffic when crossing roads. Loutish cyclists who go illegally on footpaths will now have less of an excuse.

11.  The measure is improving the business & retail environment in our city centre- noise, pollution and the sense of danger from vehicles are reduced. It's a calmer experience for drivers, too. 

Noise, pollution, injuries and congestion must all be MEASURED and compared before & after, and the results published, before any change is made

There's no doubt that this 30 km/h speed limit measure, belatedly introduced to Dublin City, will improve the quality of life, and contribute to better safety, for all of us. 

Those individuals or groups that oppose this vital measure need to EXPLAIN THEIR MOTIVES in so doing, because one conclusion that can be made is that they seek to maintain car-dominance of what is a shared public space. 

Councillors, don't compromise on this important measure. Stick with your decision, for a better Dublin.

Signed: obf/On behalf of:

Sen. Ivana Bacik

Dr Declan Bedford, Specialist in Public Health Medicine, FFPHMI

Vincent Browne, Broadcaster and publisher

Paddy Cahill obf Architectural Association of Ireland

Simon Comer obf Cosain pedestrian advocacy group

Maria Corbett obf Childrens' Rights Alliance

Dr. Elizabeth Cullen obf Irish Doctors' Environmental Association

Susan Gray obf PARC Road Safety Group- Promoting Awareness, Responsibility and Care

Desmond Kenny obf National Council for the Blind of Ireland

Tony Lowes obf Friends of the Irish Environment

James Nix, co-ordinator for transport and planning policy, Irish Environmental Network

Davie Philip obf Cultivate

Joanne Pender obf Irish Wildlife Trust

Charles Stanley Smith obf An Taisce

Duncan Stewart, Broadcaster and producer

Post-deadline signatories:

Frank McDonald, Environment Editor, Irish Times

Paul Keogh, President obf Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland

Ciaran Cuffe TD

Will Andrews obf Dublin Cycling Campaign, 150 Pearse St, Dublin 2: Phone 086 6088843

Dated: 2010- February 12th-

Notes:

(1) Time necessary to travel 1,410 metres (from measurement of Ordnance Survey maps) = 101.5 seconds at 50 km/h; 169.2 seconds at 30km/h

(2) Measurement of Ordnance Survey maps; checked with distance calculator on Google maps.

(3) Directly quoting Dublin City Transportation Department: During the period 1998-2009 inclusive, 20 pedestrians and 5 cyclists lost their lives. During the period 2003 to 2007, 461 injuries (to users of all modes) occurred

(4) Central Statistics Office: Dublin City Council area total population is 506,211 so 15,000 is a reasonable estimate for this area

(5) Dublin Cycling Campaign study of schools lists and mapping; schedule can be provided

(6) 20 MPH zone research report published 2009- September by DfT; 399 20 mph zones were implemented across London between 1991 and 2008 [Grundy et al.,(2009): British Medical Journal, Vol. 339, 1-6]; currently there are 481 20mph limits or zones in Wales (BBC World Service report 2009- November 5th)

(7) Ashton and Mackay (1979)

(8) Grundy et al.,(2009). British Medical Journal, Vol. 339, 1-6