WRITE THE MAYOR

Write the Mayor

(issue no. 166/2012 / June 21, 2012)

Dear Mayor Renzi,

We applaud the progressive pedestrianization of the centro storico. However, as the traffic decreases in volume, the speed that the remaining cars and motorbikes travel at increases steadily, especially at night, as they treat the ‘empty' streets as a race course rather than a pedestrian-dominated townscape. Has the city considered speed bumps or other means to keep traffic speeds compatible with pedestrians? Our town, Telluride, in Colorado, USA, has a speed limit of 15mph/24 mph on all streets, and this proves to be very pedestrian friendly.

 

Sincerely, John (born UK) and Pam(born USA) Lifton-Zoline

Residents of Telluride, CO (USA) and Florence

 

 

Dear John and Pam,

Thank you for writing: it shows how much you care about Florence. I am also happy to note that you appreciate the pedestrianization of the city center. Regarding the speed limit for these areas, we have a minimum speed that conforms to the recommendation of the Ministry of Transportation of 30 kph (a little under 19mph) in the streets where pedestrians are most at-risk and 50 kph (about 30mph) in the rest of the city. However, I don't think it is a matter of speed limits but of responsibility on the part of each driver to respect pedestrians. I believe this is true for many aspects of life in the community: people must change their behaviour not through imposition but through a growing civic sense.  Best, Matteo

 

 

Those interested in writing the mayor can send messages and comments via email to redazione@theflorentine.net, stating 'Write the Mayor' in the subject line of the email. Emails must clearly state the author's first name, surname, city and country of birth, and the city and country of residence.

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