As a resident of Nelson of 29 years. I have seen many changes in town. Some good, some not so much.
Recently there has been some focus on lowering the speed limit in Nelson to 30 km/h and the installation of dedicated bike lanes, bump outs and calming measures. I wanted to know how this would work, so for the month of August I drove 30 km/h everywhere I went.
This is what I learned: Going downhill in a vehicle is the always slowest; going uphill in a vehicle is faster than bikes and the same speed as electric bikes; driving on level ground everyone is equal; bikes are capable and nimble and can maneuver through traffic; you can’t make up time by speeding through town, the traffic lights and stop signs will always slow you down.
The inevitable conclusion is that if the speed limit in town was 30 km/h everyone — cars, trucks, bikes, scooters and e-bikes — would be equal.
If everyone is equal and travelling the same speed, there would be no need for dedicated bike lanes, expensive, bump outs and calming measures.
David Johnston
Nelson