BOSTON (AP) — Boston Mayor Marty Walsh hopes a new state law will allow his administration to lower speed limits in parts of the city.

The Democrat said in a statement Thursday that he plans to ask the City Council to lower the “default” speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour.

A municipal modernization bill recently signed into law by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker included a provision authorizing cities and towns to establish a 25-mile-per-hour speed limit on local roadways that go through densely-populated areas or business districts.

Previously, the state set a 30-mile-per-hour speed limit for those types of roads, and municipalities needed state approval to make changes.

Walsh says lower speed limits make streets safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.

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