Traffic in a large part of the center of Limoges (Haute-Vienne) will be limited to 30 km / h from October for “Allow a peaceful movement of pedestrians, cars, bicycles and public transport”, announced the mayor of Limoges, Emile Roger Lombertie (Les Républicains).
“Our goal is to make traffic more fluid, to avoid traffic jams, to drive smoothly, with a concern for respect for the environment and for sharing public space. It is a question of preparing the city of tomorrow, not of punishing our fellow citizens ”, assured the mayor. He cited the example of Grenoble, “Where the number of accidents, like their severity, has decreased [depuis la limitation de la vitesse à 30 km/h] “.
From January 4 to February 15, 2021, a public consultation on the extension of the speed limit to 30 km / h was organized in Limoges. Out of 1,567 responses, 47% of residents explained that they did not feel safe when traveling on foot or by bicycle, and 46% were in favor of switching to 30 km / h. Six in 10 people felt that cars were traveling too fast in the city center.
Cohabitation between the different modes of travel
” That’s very good news, reacted Jérôme Fraisse, from the Véli-Vélo association, which campaigns for the use of the bicycle on a daily basis. [Cette mesure] will allow better cohabitation between the different modes of travel and will make Limoges more practicable for cyclists. For motorists, this does not change anything in terms of travel time, even if, understandably, the inhabitants on the outskirts who simply pass through the city may complain. “
“How much are we going to end up with?” At 10 km / h, to be overtaken by the scooters? Honestly, if they don’t want cars in town anymore, they might as well make it clear. The city center needs motorists and in the Haute-Vienne department, people get around a lot by car ”, , for his part, criticized Christian Ducher, president of the Limousin Automobile club.
“It’s a big c … The mayor aligns himself with the ecologists and the well-meaning”, indignant Philippe Douillard, member of the French Federation of angry bikers 87. This limitation “Risk of killing small businesses, because people from outside will no longer go to Limoges”, he estimated.
In Paris, since the end of August, traffic has been limited to 30 km / h in almost all the streets.