FROM BLUERIDGENOW.COM (online Hendersonville Times-News):
The speed limit between Highway 74A and Highway 25 (Hendersonville Road) has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph, according to a U.S. Forest Service news release. This speed limit change is aimed at improving the safety of motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians through the Asheville corridor.

In the past six years, the section of the Blue Ridge Parkway that runs through the Asheville area has seen a change in both traffic density and complexity as more residents and visitors choose to use the Parkway. More bicyclists, pedestrians, runners and hikers are using the motor road, in addition to heavy traffic flow that occurs especially during the mornings and evenings and on weekdays. ...

Since 2006, 144 motor vehicle collisions occurred on this stretch of road, including one fatal collision, and 41 collisions involving injuries, both with bicycles and motor vehicles. Collision investigations showed that approximately one third of these wrecks were caused at least in part by speed or careless driving. ...