POR 2016 #129 · Agenda item attachment · May 9 2016

City of Cambridge O-1 Original Order IN CITY COUNCIL May 9, 2016 COUNCILLOR CARLONE COUNCILLOR DEVEREUX VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge is considered a "thickly settled" community, and as such, the general speed limit is defined as 30 miles per hour on the many Cambridge streets where no speed limit is posted; and WHEREAS: In 2014, the City Council of New York City approved a bill to reduce the maximum speed for cars, trucks and taxis on residential streets from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour; and WHEREAS: Last month, the Boston City Council voted unanimously to lower the speed limit on thickly settled streets from 30 to 20 miles per hour and in school zones from 20 to 15 miles per hour; and WHEREAS: Although the City of Cambridge is not authorized to post an actual speed limit sign without permission from the state highway department, it may be possible to post "advisory speed limit" signage without having to obtain state-level approval; and WHEREAS: The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) has compiled a "Driving Speed Fatality Risk Chart" that shows a 45% risk of fatality to pedestrians and cyclists in accidents involving an automobile that is traveling in the 30 to 35 miles per hour range, as compared to a 5% risk of fatality when automobiles are travelling in the 20 to 25 miles per hour range; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City of Cambridge supports the efforts of the Boston City Council and encourage Mayor Walsh and Governor Baker to approve a reduced speed limit; and be it further ORDERED: That the City of Cambridge supports and joins the larger regional efforts to reduce speed limits in “thickly settled” communities; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with all relevant City staff and departments to examine the feasibility of posting advisory signage to broadly encourage a motor vehicle speed limit of 20 to 25 miles per hour on City streets; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter.