Emeryville council approves citywide lower speed limits under AB 43 but defers Greenway sign decision

The Emeryville City Council approved engineering-based speed‑limit reductions across the city under the state’s AB 43 framework but voted to exclude the Emeryville Greenway from immediate regulatory signage pending further review and public outreach.

Public Works associate engineer Philip Toss presented an Engineering and Traffic Survey (ENTS) surveying 20 corridors and recommended shifting many 25 mph streets to either 20 mph or 15 mph in locations with high bicycle and pedestrian activity; the staff memo also proposed a context-sensitive 12 mph sign for the Greenway. Toss said the proposed changes were designed to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, and to support fair enforcement under California Vehicle Code requirements.

Council members asked whether the traffic data reflected recent developments that may change pedestrian and vehicle patterns, including new retail and campus openings. Staff said ENTS data were collected in fall 2025 and collision history was considered; they also noted an ongoing monitoring program and said future surveys can re-evaluate limits if conditions change.

Discussion focused on the Emeryville Greenway, a shared-use corridor used by thousands of people daily. Some council members and public commenters favored an enforceable, regulatory sign (white background) that would permit enforcement; others and some advocacy groups recommended a yellow advisory sign to avoid ticketing cyclists for modest over-speed violations in a mixed-use corridor. The council opted to approve the ordinance for city streets while removing the Greenway segment from this ordinance so staff can pursue additional outreach and committee review of sign type and community impacts.

The first reading of the ordinance (amending speed designations in the municipal code) was approved by the council on a 4–0 vote with Council Member Mora absent. Staff noted the action is exempt from CEQA under cited guidance and that AB 43 allows local agencies greater flexibility to lower safe speeds on corridors with high pedestrian activity. Staff also said slower speeds substantially reduce the risk of severe injury when collisions occur: a 30 mph pedestrian strike carries a markedly higher chance of serious injury or death than a 20 mph strike.

Next steps: The Greenway segment will receive separate review and outreach; adopted changes to the municipal code take effect after the required second reading and posting period unless council modifies the ordinance.