Vision Zero’s '20 is Plenty' Program to Roll Out This Winter

For Immediate Release
December 5, 2024

The City of Madison is reducing the speed limit on residential streets to 20 miles per hour. The Common Council approved the change following the successful implementation of the 20 is Plenty program in two trial neighborhoods. Madison joins other progressive cities across the country — including Minneapolis, New York City, Portland, and Seattle — in lowering speed limits on local streets. 

“The research is clear: Lower the speed limit is safer for residents and makes our neighborhoods more livable. 20 miles per hour is plenty on our local streets,” said Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. “This is a commonsense measure, broadly supported by the community, that helps further our Vision Zero initiative.” 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pedestrian fatalities in the United States increased by 84 percent from 2009 to 2022. The goal of 20 is Plenty to ensure Madison bucks this national trend. Lowering the speed limit by 5 mph will reinforce the mindset that our neighborhoods aren’t places to speed. 

Phase 1 of the 20 is Plenty program started in 2021 and reduced the speed limit in the Tenney-Lapham and Theresa-Hammersley neighborhoods. These neighborhoods were selected by reviewing many different factors such as speeding complaints, land use, and crashes per square mile. Phase 2 will start this winter with installing updated signage, neighborhood by neighborhood, and be completed in early 2025. In total, around 2,000 speed limit signs will be installed or changed.

Madison will also offer 20 is Plenty yard signs, available in multiple languages and free of charge, to residents who would like to put one outside their home. Please email traffic@cityofmadison.com to request a yard sign.