the city center soon to be limited to 30 km/h?
Annecy, Grenoble, Bordeaux or Lyon will perhaps soon be imitated by Chambéry. Associations ask the town hall to take a clear position on an issue, the speed limit at 30 km/h instead of 50 in the city center, one of the campaign axes of the majority in the last municipal elections. The city says it is in favor of the measure, but not everywhere.
First argument, security
Symbolically, two militant associations for a peaceful city filed a 30km/h limit sign on Thursday morning under the sign indicating the entrance to Chambéry, rue Sainte-Rose, near the Buisson-Rond swimming pool. First argument, security. “A shock at 30 km/h is ten times less fatal than at 50 km/h” according to Jérémy Petit, who represents “La Rue de l’Avenir” in Savoie, “there is also conviviality, the opening of the public space to everyone, and the question of noise“.
At his side, Paul Clauss of the Chambéry association “Rouelle Libre”, which works to promote bicycle travel, also sees the possibility of converting motorists to bicycles“a reduced speed for cars means more safety for bicycles and this can convince motorists, it also means less traffic congestion, fuel consumed, greenhouse gases emitted“.
“It’s a yes… in part”. Isabelle Dunod, in charge of sustainable mobility in Chambéry.
Requested, the city of Chambéry explains that it is in agreement with the associations which are demanding “the generalization of 30 km/h everywhere in the city“, and ensures that the work of reflection is engaged.”However, we must remain credible and realistic” tempers Isabelle Dunod, in charge of sustainable mobility at the town hall, “we cannot pass all the streets at 30 km/h if we do not make the motorist understand that he is in a space that he must share with other users. Adjustments are therefore needed on a case-by-case basis. It’s a yes…in part“.
In the city center of Chambéry, one in three streets is already limited to 30 km/h. In addition, a request has been made to the State to lower the speed on the Urban Expressway (VRU) to 70 km/h. “The file is on the prefect’s table“says Isabelle Dunod.