20mph Speed Limit in central Brighton

So... Good, bad, fucking taxis, idiot students, RLJ'ers or what?

Does this really make a difference for us?

I did notice on the commute to work this morning that it was 'slightly' slower.

It's good. Even though the police won't enforce this at the moment it will probably bring in lower average speeds and may encourage more people to ride

If it encourages a more leisurely 25mph average it is a good thing. As a cyclist and a driver, I personally like driving at 20mph. It's a lot less stressful.

It might not work immediately, but over time it will make things a lot calmer. Should be mandatory on streets where people live, and a lot more places too.

I've been following the story in The Argus for a while now and the comments are astonishing. The most incredible argument I've seen is someone explaining that 20mph is more dangerous as people will have to drive around looking at their speedometer, thus taking their eyes off the road.

This one takes the biscuit though - "The honest, hard working motorist's have to put up with a lot of **** from the anti car brigade... Lets win a bit of power back!!"

I think that attitude is nothing short of delusional.

If you think you can handle it go have a look at the comment threads.

I've long since abondoned the Argus for the these reasons. Nut jobs.

I get the inpression the contributors are single, middle aged cab drivers sat in their underpants polishing their machetes as they type.

[shudder]

p.s. Dice, long time no see. Expensive craft beer soon?

The speed limit was imposed to prevent hipsters that just found out what a 14t Track sprocket is from trying to re-create Mash along Western Road on their sick fixie skiddorz causing havoc! They might have well as introduced a gear ratio limit on the products that local shops can sell......

Sounds like you circa 2007. Wwith "campag" hand painted on your cranks.

Mr Cheesecake_intl, speed limits only apply to motorised vehicles.

I read somewhere that the average speed in Brighton was 17mph, what with traffic, lights and such. I also don't understand how people think they're getting along quicker when they just accelerate and stop, accelerate and stop. It's lovely to be able to hold a place in traffic with minimal effort.

Elvis, yes fam. Friday? Our muse (Gary) has been out ill...

Dice said Yes Fam. Snigger.

Yes, Friday would work. Sounds like Gary was proper ill. Can't believe he still had to work.

to be honest, having just driven through this 20mph thing for the first time, its fucking irritating.

Am I the only one that has never driven any car or van that actually feels like it is in the right gear at 20mph?!

no you're not the only one, it's not a good speed at all.

probably will find a lot of people will ignore this speed limit. really dont see the sense in it personally, what is it actually supposed to achieve?

New cars aren't made to comfortably drive at 20. My old polo (and Harvey your old caddy) wwould be much easier to drive at 20.

Having just driven into Brighton centre and back for a hair cut - i can advise that the 20mph limit is a totally pointless waste of money - the Brighton Town planners have already made it impossible to go that fast in Brighton with their policy of traffic lights, one way streets, closing 'rat runs' , bus lanes, lane restrictions etc etc !! The latest cock up is the loss of 2 lanes on the Lewes road from the bottom of Coldean Lane - so now the plan is complete - all the major arteries into the Town are restricted leading to lovely 2 mile queues into town on any busy period. In the body, restrictions in the main arteries lead to death ! ... But on the positive side, lots more fun filtering between the traffic and sprinting off the lights and if they set up a speed camera in a 20 mph zone we can all play 'set off the flash'' sprint competition. Happy riding all !

Another facet of people's complaints (as demonstrated by yourself, mark45acp) is this idea that if you restrict parking and speed limits then people won't drive their cars here. The idea actually IS to discourage people from bringing their cars here (and from using them so much whilst here). I don't think it will lead to the demise of Brighton or the end of capitalism, I do think that it will expose the lack of public transport options that we have.

If you can, you should bike.

I've been following the story in The Argus for a while now and the comments are astonishing. The most incredible argument I've seen is someone explaining that 20mph is more dangerous as people will have to drive around looking at their speedometer, thus taking their eyes off the road.

This one takes the biscuit though - "The honest, hard working motorist's have to put up with a lot of **** from the anti car brigade... Lets win a bit of power back!!"

I think that attitude is nothing short of delusional.

If you think you can handle it go have a look at the comment threads.

The only time I came close to causing an accident in a car was when I was fixating on the speedo, on a road with an unreasonably low limit.

I'm sorry, I don't understand this. Going slower is more dangerous? Why doesn't this distraction principle occur at any speed? Why doesn't one pay attention to the speedometer when obeying a 30mph limit?

The novelty of trying to drive at 20mph will wear off and then people will stop fixating on their speedo.

Hopefully things will normalise around 25 mph unless the police enforce it (unlikely).

I'm sorry, I don't understand this. Going slower is more dangerous? Why doesn't this distraction principle occur at any speed? Why doesn't one pay attention to the speedometer when obeying a 30mph limit?

probably because it isnt normal, 20mph does feel incredibly slow in a car. its like walking half pace for no reason.

also as already pointed out theres not really a comfortable gear to do in 20mph so youll be fluctuating between 2nd and 3rd and no doubt having to check the speedo.

its not like your cruising along at 40mph not having to pay attention to the under or over revving engine.

Just so I can feel involve coz i miss living in brighton and shit - I'm pretty sure speed limits can be enforced on bikes, I remember a story from a while back (not in brighton) about a guy who always set off a camera on his commute home from work, and one day the fuzz where waiting for him to ticket him. Plus, I always used to average over 20 down Western road, and I also had a few incidents involving peds stepping out without looking. From now, will a cyclist going at over 20 be penalised for knocking some of the few remaining braincells out of the moron who does the above? I say from now as before no-one has every questioned my liability in such instances, but with this super low limit I can see the issue (at the very least by the argus) being raised.

probably because it isnt normal, 20mph does feel incredibly slow in a car...its not like your cruising along at 40mph not having to pay attention to the under or over revving engine.

You're totally right but this is a town centre. 20mph will mean less dead and injured people.

If people accept it and embrace it, the experience is more chilled out.

My theory (which will annoy everyone no doubt) is that most drivers are wimps. Myself included at times. Too scared to drive slow for fear of holding people up. Allowing other drivers to intimidate them into making risky overtakes (of cars and cyclists) and going for sketchy gaps. Drivers are more influenced by how they think others will perceive them than by their own common sense. Drive at a sensible speed and if needed WAIT. Enjoy the ride and enjoy annoying tailgaters.

It's better to arrive late in this world than earlier in the next.

My theory (which will annoy everyone no doubt) is that most drivers are wimps.

Or they are bullies intimidating the wimps by tailgating and hooting.
This applies to people in cars as well as people on bikes

I've long since abondoned the Argus for the these reasons. Nut jobs.

I get the inpression the contributors are single, middle aged cab drivers sat in their underpants polishing their machetes as they type.

[shudder]

Interesting thread
Quoted this as Bournemouth Echo is also in this local press section as will so many other areas in upcoming years.
Right now there's a print and online war between cycling/driving that the local press are stoking because those retarded commentators you read in response must buy papers