Frankfurt tests 20 km/h speed limit in the city

After the decision of a 20 km/h zone in downtown Frankfurt in September, the regulation is now becoming concrete: The strict speed limit is to take effect from the beginning of December, initially around the stock exchange, as City Councilor for Traffic Wolfgang Siefert (Greens) explained according to a report by the Hessenrundschau.

"There will no longer be driving from parking garage to parking garage or showing off with cars in the city center," the councilor outlined.

The area is to be declared a so-called traffic-calmed business zone. The speed limit applies to side streets, while on main streets such as Berliner Straße, everything will remain as before, as they are intended for through traffic. The aim is explicitly not a car-free city center, but a car-reduced one. The belief is that if fewer cars are on the move, the quality of stay will increase. This will also lead to the reduction of street parking spaces.

"Anyone who wants to come to downtown Frankfurt by car can still do so and then simply park in a parking garage," Siefert said.

Handicapped parking spaces and taxi stands are still planned, as well as more delivery and loading zones. In individual districts, parking management is to be expanded so that there is no more free parking. In the end, this is supposed to ensure better traffic flow for everyone, including those dependent on cars, Siefert advocated. To minimize the number of people who need to drive, the bike-friendly redesign of additional side streets is planned, initially on a provisional basis, as has already been implemented on Oeder Weg. The councilor acknowledged that there is criticism, but he doubts that the critics are in the majority, according to HR. The results of the accompanying surveys on satisfaction are awaited for the coming year.

"We also receive many messages where it is highly welcomed," explained the Green Party politician.