TWENTY’S PLENTY, SPEED KING URGES
Round-the-world cyclist Mark joins campaign to cut city road carnage
MARK Beaumont is backing a move to make 20mph the “normal” speed limit in built-up areas.
The cyclist said: “It’s a bit of an odd statement for someone who holds the record for being fastest round the world on a bike, but we need to slow down.
“We know that we’re seven times less likely to die if we’re hit by a vehicle at 20mph than 30mph and 10 times less likely if we’re over 60 years of age.
“So making roads in built-up areas 20mph rather than 30mph makes bags of sense.”
Beaumont is backing a Green Party Bill that would make a 20mph limit the default in built-up areas, with local authorities forced to seek permission if they want to raise it back to 30mph.
MSP Mark Ruskell will formally lodge his final draft legislation at the Scottish Parliament on Monday.
Beaumont, who broke a record by cycling 8,000 miles in 79 days last year, added: “This is about saving lives, reducing injuries and improving public health and enjoyment by making our streets safer and healthier places to cycle and walk.
“The current system of patchwork 20mph zones is timeconsuming and costly for local councils and confusing for road users. Scotland has a chance to take a lead on this so let’s go for it.”
A Glasgow Centre for Population Health report estimated a lower speed limit could save hundreds of lives every year and reduce pollution.