Cities 30 projects have already started in many European cities including Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Edinburgh, Grenoble, Helsinki, Paris and despite the controversy, the introduction of the new speed limits have proved to be very effective. In particular have led to greater attention from drivers and a reduction in road injuries without causing a lengthening of travel times for motorists with a substantial relief from traffic congestion. By Città 30 we mean only in the strict sense a town in which almost all the roads have a speed limit of 30 km/h: it is about a maneuver that aims to rebalance the public space, reducing the areas of the road dedicated to cars with the inclusion of cycle paths and the widening of sidewalksin order to create more livable spaces for people. The introduction of the 30 km/h speed limit is the result of an initiative promoted by the European Union: on 6 October 2021, the European Parliament approved a resolution with which it invites the Member States to set these speed limits considered safer in built-up areas and in areas with a high flow of pedestrians, as well as investing in speed control systems and applying stiff fines to raise driver awareness. In Italy after the first examples of City 30 a Cesena and Olbiaeven large cities such as Bologna, Turin and Milan.
The 30th longest city in Italy
Within these revolutions that point to combine sustainability and road safetyon the Abruzzo coast, the longest City 30 in Italy was created: 45 km crossing 7 municipalities on the Teramo coast, thanks to a plan developed by ATS City of the Coast with FIAB-Italian Federation for the Environment and Bicycles e Assoturismo-Confesercenti Abruzzo. The municipalities affected: Martinsicuro, Alba Adriatica, Tortoreto, Giulianova, Roseto degli Abruzzi, Pineto and Silvi. The creation of zone 30 with the largest linear development in Italy in one of the most important seaside tourist basins on the Adriatic coast, makes the Teramo coast a virtuous case on the issues of environmental sustainability, safety, livability, cycle and pedestrian usability, declined in tourist key. This decision has an impact on a population of 120,000 inhabitants which exceeds 3 million tourists.
FIAB_Giulianova_TE
The project starts in the same area where the idea of the Adriatic Cycle Path was born years ago which, with the recent inauguration of the cycle-pedestrian bridge over the Vomano, has seen the completion of the Teramo section. There Adriatic cycle path it is the largest national cycle path, with numerous sections with high quality infrastructure and services, the construction of which required decades and countless actions, a cultural process even before an infrastructural one. “We are proud to be promoters and an active part of this new and ambitious project. The creation of a single zone 30 along the entire Teramo coast confirms that the time is ripe to move from the idea of a cycle path to that of a cycle city. It’s about a model initiative that can and must be replicated by other Italian territories” these are the words of Alessandro Tursi, President fairy tale.
AlessandroTursi_President_FIAB
Gianluca Grimi, President of Assoturismo-Confesercenti d’Abruzzo he declared: “sustainability, active and safe holidays, the ability to enjoy gentler mobility play an increasingly important role in the selection of tourist destinations: this is why our Association, which in the province of Teramo brings together hundreds of hoteliers, , owners of public exercises, entrepreneurs of hospitality and tourism services, has decided, together with the FIABto take an active part in the local administrations of an initiative that we consider very important. We are convinced that we are on the eve of a turning point in the perception of our territory and now we will work to ensure that expectations are respected. We want to thank all the local administrations for their courage and determination”.
Starting this summer, the 45 km of Città 30 on the Teramo coast will be easily identifiable through the creation of large-format signs on the ground. It is only the first step of an articulated plan which provides for interventions on the road axes, together with actions for the joint management of sustainable mobility. An important role will also play it train+bike intermodality to move between the different Municipalities, with a railway service that already today functions as an intercity subway, with free transport of bicycles on regional trainsalso in view of the announced upgrades.
“We have adhered with conviction to this proposal launched by FIAB and Assoturismo-Confesercenti, because road safety must be at the center of administrative action and this strongly affects the quality of life and tourism. As a temporary association of purpose between the Municipalities of the Teramo coast, of which Silvi is the leader, we found it immediately a synergy, a great sense of responsibility and collaboration on a decision that strengthens the image, also in a promotional key, of a hospitable, safe area, ready to take up challenges and look to the future” he announced Andrea Scordella, Mayor of Silvi.
Press conference
The 7 Municipalities of the Teramo coast protagonists of the initiative, where in any case there were already numerous areas at reduced speed, have received the yellow flag of FIAB-ComuniCiclabilithe recognition that evaluates the commitment of the Italian territories in promoting cycling as a model of sustainable mobility for residents and tourists and the blue flag which is assigned to seaside resorts on the basis of numerous requirements, including those relating to sustainable land management.
Press conference
European cities that have introduced 30 zones have achieved the best results on the weakest user. TO Helsinki in the 1990s, pedestrian fatalities were 30 per year but after the introduction of the 30 zones they dropped to 7, down to zero in 2019. A Grenoble after 3 years of city 30, there was a 22% decline. TO Bruxelles in the first 30 months of the city, there were 50% fewer deaths and serious injuries. TO Grazon the other hand, has decreased by 24% since the first year and even by 90% of children who are victims of accidents in front of schools.
FIAB_Adriatic cycle path
