Bologna's mayor, Matteo Lepore, announced the start of the preliminary phase of a project to extend the 30 kph limit to nearly the entire city and make Bologna the first major "30 cities" in Italy in 2024. A similar project has already been implemented in Olbia, Sardinia, though on a smaller scale due to its smaller population of 60 thousand compared to Bologna's almost 400 thousand. Lowering speed limits is just one aspect of the "City 30" concept; other changes to the city's infrastructure and way of life are also included. The goal of "city 30" is to make more urban areas accessible by foot or bicycle while enhancing safety and reducing noise and pollution. Lepore explained the strategy during the press conference where he also revealed the plan: "We know that there will be people who do not share this choice, but our goal is not to punish them, but to involve them. We have made a historic decision, and as such we will have to build it together. We are not only telling drivers to drive slowly, but we also want to share another perspective on the city". Having wider sidewalks means more space for benches and trees, making it more pleasant to get around without a car, with all of the environmental benefits that entails.