The maximum driving speed of majority of the Dutch capital's roads has dropped to 30 kilometers per hour, down from 50kph as it joins a growing crop of European cities instituting new efforts to improve road safety.
The picturesque city, famed for its canals and bicycle-friendly mobility culture, has been working on balancing the impact of its growing population and tourism on its limited real estate. From a "Stay Away" campaign, designed to curb rowdy tourists, to proposals aimed at restricting through-traffic in the central city, Amsterdam has taken concerted steps this year to make its neighborhoods more livable.
The multi-month effort to transition to new speeds stems from conversations with residents that found two-thirds say the traffic in their neighborhood is unsafe.
While an average of more than three serious accidents takes place per day in the city, the new speed limit may reduce such incidents by as much as 30 percent, the municipality said.
It argues the lower speed limit will halve traffic noise and allow drivers to have more time to process information and respond to unexpected situations.
Public transport such as trams and buses will continue to operate at faster speeds of 50kph as they use dedicated tracks.
The city's decision to reduce speed limits was poorly received by some locals. Amsterdam has turned into a "crazy" city, and 30kph is for mopeds, one angry resident posted on X.
Amsterdam follows cities such as Brussels, Paris and Madrid who have slashed road speeds in recent years.
BLOOMBERG
