30 km/h speed limits coming to local streets in Vancouver

Today, Vancouver City Council unanimously approved reducing speed limits on local streets to 30 km/h. Slower vehicle speeds dramatically improve safety for people walking and cycling. Local streets are typically in residential areas and don’t have a centre line.

The benefits of lower speeds include:

• Reduced fatalities: Lowering vehicle speeds from 50 km/h to 30 km/h can reduce pedestrian fatality rates in collisions from 80% to 15%.

• Fewer collisions: Lower speeds lead to shorter stopping distances—reduced by nearly 50%, which helps prevent collisions.

• Less noise: speed reduction can lead to significantly quieter streets and improved air quality.

“We are committed to seeing safer streets and a reduction in both road-related fatalities and serious injuries,” says Mayor Ken Sim. “We look forward to implementing evidence-based practices and finding new, innovative ways to keep pedestrians and active transportation users safe.”

Currently, the blanket speed limit for all streets within the City of Vancouver is set by the Province of B.C. at 50 km/h unless otherwise posted. Municipalities have the authority to reduce speed limits on individual streets. Vancouver has a longstanding practice to lower speed limits (30 km/h) on local street greenways, as well as local street school and playground zones. As part of our Vision Zero Action Plan, we will now begin to expand this to include all local streets in the city.

Once it is formally enacted by Council, the bylaw sets the stage for the phased introduction of the neighbourhood-level blanket 30 km/h speed limits. Over the next three years, signage will first be installed at entry points into 25 neighbourhood slow zones. Seventeen of these neighbourhoods currently have some traffic calming in place, with most traffic operating below 30 km/h. The remaining eight of the 25 neighbourhoods have speeding concerns and will have complimentary measures implemented through the City’s Neighbourhood Traffic Management Program (NTM). Further neighbourhoods would have speeds lowered in future capital plans, subject to budget allocations.

To ensure people are informed about the upcoming change, the City will take several steps:

• Install new signage in affected areas.

• Launch a public education campaign to raise awareness.

• Send notifications to residents in impacted neighbourhoods as the changes are phased in.

• Encourage community involvement by offering free “Slow Down” lawn signs, which residents can display to help spread the message.

Read the Safer Slower Streets Council report. Learn more about our ongoing transportation safety initiatives.