Initially, the idea of a 30 km/h speed limit was skeptically received by some of the public, but this is now changing.
"At first, the speed reduction seemed very big. We move around the center like that too, except you feel that sometimes a tourist comes in and doesn't notice the 30-kilometre sign, and then he speeds through," said Līva, a resident of Sigulda.
"I think the urban environment has become calmer and drivers have become more attentive. We respect both pedestrians and cyclists," said Sigulda resident Evita.
"Yes, we need those 30 kilometres. Let's be honest - when drivers drive, they go a bit faster," said Sigulda resident Dace.
The exact number of traffic accidents in Sigulda center before and after the 30 km/h zone has not been collected, but no fatalities have been recorded since May 2020.
"There was an intersection that we popularly called a black spot. Accidents happened quite often before. I can't tell you the statistics, but there have been no fatalities since the 30-kilometre speed limit was introduced," said Zane Gatere, environmental planner at the Sigulda Municipality Development Agency.
Māris Riekstiņš, head of the Sigulda municipal police, said that "it is obvious and empirical that the driving culture has definitely stabilized along with the speed, drivers drive more calmly".
Meanwhile, some residents in Sigulda are calling for the 30 km/h zone to be extended.
"Every year we extend this zone. Those who have enjoyed the 30-kilometre zone want it to be introduced in the areas where they live," said Zane Gatere, environmental planner at the Sigulda Regional Development Agency.
However, local authorities point out that any major traffic change requires careful assessment, planning and then implementation, as the infrastructure needs to be reorganized.
Following the experience of Sigulda, other municipalities have introduced or are planning to introduce similar restrictions.
