http://www.bikebiz.com//news/read/evening-standard-asks-readers-to-vote-on-20mph-speed-limit
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
"Evening Standard asks readers to vote on 20mph speed limit"
(6 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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Interestingly it appears the poll has been pulled form the site. Is this because the response wasn't what they wanted? (apparently 72% of votes had been in favour of the 20mph limits).
A quick look at the poll topics gone past that are 'most popular' reveals a particular slant - Muslim Veils; Muslim Ghettos...
Posted 12 years ago # -
Yes, they obviously were getting the "wrong" response.
"UPDATE: poll text has now been changed to say the 20mph speed limit proposal is to benefit cyclists. What, and not pedestrians, too? And motorists for that matter: if they crash into each other or into trees at slower speeds that's a benefit for them, too.
Also: the poll has been moved to here and there are now more voting 'No'."
Posted 12 years ago # -
Sent to the 'comment' email address and the online editor:
Dear sirs
I was intrigued recently by your online poll about a 20mph speed limit in the city: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/poll-49861-details/ques-51952-id/Standard+poll%3A+City+speed+limit/poll.do
This intrigue stemmed from a subtle change in the poll. When it was originally posted it asked "Do you back the Sustrans proposal to make 20mph the default speed limit in London?" Later, however, the question had changed to "Do you back a 20mph speed limit in the City to make the roads safer for cyclists?" The cynics of the world (and I'm afraid I may count myself amongst their number) would suggest that the poll, with reference to an organisation which many people would not have heard of, and merely taking the question at its face value, was not giving the desired result.
When I first read of the poll on the Bike Biz website (http://www.bikebiz.com//news/read/evening-standard-asks-readers-to-vote-on-20mph-speed-limit) 72% of those voting had responded 'Yes'. Later, with the subtle change to suggest that the lower limit would only be to benefit cyclists those answering in the affirmative had dropped to 64% (I understand it was somewhat lower than that at one point, presumably before the poll was re-found).
I was wondering if there was a simple, non-conspiracy-theory reason for the change? After all, would a 20mph limit only benefit cyclists? Fewer accidents, and lower speeds would surely also be of benefit to pedestrians? And to motorists themselves?
Many thanks
AnthonyPosted 12 years ago # -
The simplest explanation is often the best. Remember the conscription survey from Yes, Minister?
Posted 12 years ago #
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