Bologna’s bold vision: A city at 30 km/h and the future of urban mobility

Imagine strolling through a city where the streets themselves invite you to slow down and breathe. Bologna’s Città 30 initiative has turned this vision into reality by setting a 30 km/h speed limit on nearly all its streets – making Bologna the largest city in Italy to embrace a city-wide 30 km/h limit. The goal? To make streets “calmer, safer, and more livable” for everyone.

Slower Speeds, Safer Streets: One year into the Città 30 program, Bologna is already seeing remarkable results. Road collisions dropped by over 13%, injuries by more than 11%, and serious crashes plummeted by 30%. Fatalities have fallen by 50%, hitting their lowest level in over a decade, and for the first time, zero pedestrian deaths were recorded.

Slower speeds mean drivers have more time to react – the stopping distance at 30 km/h is less than half of that at 50 km/h, dramatically reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists. It’s no surprise that vulnerable road users are safer and feel more welcome on Bologna’s streets now. In fact, car traffic has slightly decreased, while bike-sharing use increased by 69%, car-sharing rose by 44%, and cycling trips are up 10%, indicating a shift toward active and shared mobility.

Slowing Down is a Global Movement: Bologna is not alone. Brussels implemented a citywide 30 km/h limit and found it created “cleaner streets, quieter areas, more fluent traffic, and better health, since more people choose to walk or cycle.” Helsinki lowered speeds and saw injury accidents fall (down 9% overall, and even 42% fewer traffic injuries in the city center). Wales became the first country to adopt a 20 mph (~30 km/h) default in 2023, and early data shows crashes and injuries dropped by about 25% in just the first three months. From Paris to Bilbao to New York, forward-thinking cities worldwide are embracing “slow streets” to reclaim urban life.

The European Commission itself highlights that city-wide 30 km/h limits produce significant benefits – on average a 23% reduction in crashes and 38% fewer injuries – while the trade-off in travel time is minimal. And it’s not just about safety: across 40 European cities, lower speeds contributed to roughly 18% less emissions, 2.5 dB lower noise levels (making city streets noticeably quieter), and about 7% savings in fuel consumption. Slower speeds are literally cleaning the air.

Urban Livability and Quality of Life: Initiatives like Bologna Città 30 transform more than traffic—they transform city culture. Streets become shared spaces rather than car corridors. Residents enjoy less noise and pollution and more opportunities to walk, cycle, and socialize in safer streets. In Bologna, the 30 km/h policy is part of rethinking urban space altogether – designing roads and public areas for a new dimension of proximity where people come first.

The result is a city that feels more relaxed, equitable, and vibrant, boosting local quality of life. Other cities report similar upsides: lower stress commutes, higher foot traffic for local businesses, and improved public health due to active mobility.

Lessons for Every City: What can policymakers and urban mobility leaders learn from Bologna and its global peers? A few key takeaways:

• Bold Vision & Leadership: Strong political will and a clear vision (like Mayor Lepore’s in Bologna) can drive transformative change – even in the face of initial skepticism. Setting a city-wide policy (rather than piecemeal zones) sends a powerful message that safety and livability are top priorities.
• Community Engagement & Culture Shift: Bologna introduced a six-month grace period with extensive public awareness campaigns instead of immediate fines. This educational approach eased the cultural shift, giving drivers time to adapt. Engaging residents through education and dialogue ensures the community understands why slowing down matters – reducing pushback and building broad support.
• Comprehensive Implementation: Simply changing speed limit signs isn’t enough. Successful “City 30” initiatives pair lower limits with street redesigns, better signage, and enforcement where needed. Bologna installed over 800 new signs and road markings to constantly remind drivers of the change. Other cities like Helsinki increased speed camera enforcement to sustain compliance. And importantly, improving sidewalks, bike lanes, and public transport gives people safe and convenient alternatives to driving.
• Data & Transparency: Measuring outcomes and sharing the results is crucial. Bologna’s honest reporting of accident reductions, traffic flow, and pollution levels helped validate the policy. Hard data wins hearts and minds – especially when it shows lives saved, cleaner air, and happier citizens. Regularly publishing before-and-after statistics and success stories will help maintain momentum and political backing.
• Think Beyond Cars: Perhaps the biggest lesson is that urban mobility isn’t just about moving cars – it’s about moving people and fostering community. 30 km/h zones encourage a shift to walking, cycling, and public transit, creating a virtuous cycle of less traffic and even safer streets. They also remind us that streets are public spaces for everyone, not just thoroughfares for vehicles. Cities that have embraced this mindset are seeing streets turn back into places for play, commerce, and connection, revitalizing urban life.

The Road Ahead – Will Your City Be Next?

Bologna’s Città 30 is inspiring a reimagining of city streets worldwide – proving that a human-centric approach to mobility is not only possible but highly effective. Slower city streets are saving lives, improving air quality, and making daily urban life more pleasant and inclusive.

It’s a simple idea with profound impact: by slowing down, cities are speeding up their progress toward Vision Zero and sustainable living.

At VTM, we have the expertise, tools, and knowledge to support cities in assessing and implementing these mobility strategies. Whether it’s evaluating traffic impacts, designing interventions, or measuring the effects of new policies, our team is equipped to guide decision-makers through every stage of the process.

Let’s continue this conversation. Join the movement for safer, more livable streets. Connect with us to explore how we can help your city rethink mobility and create safer, more vibrant urban spaces.