Edinburgh launches 20mph toolkit

The City of Edinburgh has launched an online toolkit to help communicate the benefits of adopting a 20mph limit. The toolkit comprises activities and resources designed to help local communities to spread the word about calmer speeds and encourage behaviour change across the city. 

Edinburgh became the first city in Scotland to implement a citywide 20mph network in March. The council hopes the 20mph limit will to improve road safety, encourage active travel and help make the city’s streets more people-friendly.

Since the launch of the scheme, City of Edinburgh Council has worked with the police to achieve a shift in driver behaviour toward slower speeds through road safety education, awareness raising and prevention activities. 

The toolkit, which was inspired by similar projects supporting 20mph schemes in Birmingham and Bristol, contains information, guidance and a set of practical activities, such as organising cycle rides on 20mph streets and making use of ‘Pop-up Bob’ to encourage drivers to keep to the limits. 

Edinburgh transport convener Lesley Macinnes said: “The decision to make Edinburgh's streets slower, safer and more community-friendly was influenced by the successful outcome of the South Edinburgh Pilot Project in 2012. Since then we’ve made a great deal of progress, with councillors approving the 20mph network in January 2015 following an extensive period of public consultation and research. 

“The benefits of calmer speeds are already being felt across the Capital. People have welcomed reduced traffic noise, celebrated feeling safer on foot or by bike and are enjoying a more relaxed environment. We have also received requests from around the city for additional streets to be added to the network.

“This feedback demonstrates strong support for 20mph, however loudly opponents may shout. We need this quieter majority to speak out and make their voices heard - to tell their friends, family and colleagues and spread the word that together we can make Edinburgh's roads safer and more pleasant for everyone.  

“This new toolkit is a fun and user-friendly new resource to help them do just that and I'd encourage all communities who are interested to take a look. Now 20mph is here to stay in Edinburgh. Together we are making our city a safer and more enjoyable place to live, work and visit.”