POR 2016 #195 · Agenda item attachment · Jun 27 2016

City of Cambridge O-8 ORIGINAL ORDER IN CITY COUNCIL June 27, 2016 COUNCILLOR CARLONE COUNCILLOR DEVEREUX COUNCILLOR CHEUNG WHEREAS: On May 9, 2016, the City Council voted unanimously to support the Boston City Council and their home rule petition seeking reduced speed limits in “thickly settled” areas; and WHEREAS: With the approval of City Manager Rossi, this City Council also voted unanimously to support and join larger regional efforts in order to lower speed limits in “thickly settled” areas; and WHEREAS: On Tuesday June 21, 2016, a Joint Committee on Transportation in the Massachusetts General Court was convened and various parties testified, including a representative from the City Council Office, primarily in support of lower speed limits in “thickly settled” areas; 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; and WHEREAS: The risks associated with higher speed limits are known and Cambridge residents largely agree that lower speed limits, especially on neighborhood streets, make for safer streets; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is request to report back to the City Council regarding the feasibility of the City of Cambridge filing its own home rule petition in conjunction with Boston’s current efforts.