Call for Support: 30km/hr in the Core

Bike Edmonton fully supports the #YEGCoreZone call for a 30 km/h speed limit on residential neighbourhood roads in the core, and lower residential speed limits city-wide.

Core Zone communities desire 30 km/h in their neighbourhoods for two reasons:

  1. Safety.

    In Toronto, central wards reduced their speed limits from 40 km/h to 30 on local roads. Researchers found that 28% fewer pedestrians were hit by motorists on these roads after the speed limit was reduced. Pedestrians killed or seriously injured on these roads plunged 67%. This came even as police drastically reduced motorist ticketing after dismantling their traffic unit.

    Research (and physics) shows that reductions in speed make a huge difference in safety, without significantly affecting travel times.

  2. Better liveability

    Slower vehicles on the roads directly in front of homes makes for better neighbourhoods.

Here is the #YEGCoreZone call for your support:

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We need YOU to support calmer speed limits at City Hall on February 26, at 9:30AM. 

That day, Edmonton's Community and Public Services Committee will review two speed-limit changes proposed by city administration. Proposal one is a 40km/hr city-wide residential speed limit. Proposal two is the 30km/hr #YEGCoreZone — but it will see all other residential areas across the city remain at 50km/h.

That's why we need you.

Last year, committee and council discussed a hybrid option — 30km/hr on residential streets in the core and 40km/hr on residential streets elsewhere — (meeting links here and here). But city administration is proposing just the two options noted above, and is not proposing a hybrid option. Given that council directed administration to consider a 30-40 hybrid as one potential fix, we need to push for it to come back. 

Why? 

FIRST, CORE NEIGHBOURHOODS NEED 30KM/HR. Any other speed isn’t safe for these neighbourhoods and their generally narrow roadways. Any other speed won’t encourage people to get out on their streets. Core communities have asked for 30km/hr and are ready for it. The only acceptable speed in the core is 30km/hr. 

BUT THE PROBLEM IS THE REST OF EDMONTON. An increasing number of people across the city are calling for calmer residential streets. This was made clear in April at committee, and in May at council — as well as through other resident engagements. We know proposal one, which would mean 40km/hr in the core, isn’t acceptable. Yet we also know that proposal two would leave many residents outside the core living on streets with an unacceptable status quo of 50km/hr.

THE BEST SOLUTION IS EITHER A HYBRID OR 30KM/HR CITY WIDE. The committee should be pushed to consider if it prefers 30km/hr city wide or if it prefers a 30-40 hybrid. We need you to come to city hall and speak up to make sure this happens

By the way, we're not alone. The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues worked with community leagues regarding residential street speeds. The EFCL endorses 30km/hr residential streets city-wide. Their final report is here. 

Paths for People also supports 30km/hr city-wide and continues to advocate for streets for people. Check out their position here.

KEY MESSAGES

  1. The #YEGCoreZone needs 30km/hr no matter what. Citizens are ready for it and the grid style design demands it. 

  2. Citizens outside of the central core want slower streets, too. Keeping 50km/hr isn’t acceptable.

  3. The best option for the rest of Edmonton is either 30km/hr city-wide or a 30/40 hybrid.

  4. It’s time to start implementing safer and more liveable streets now.

HOW TO HELP

  1. Email city council. You can use this link, or email your councillor directly.

  2. Speak on February 26. You can sign up here.

  3. If you want help with a presentation, or to coordinate so you don’t repeat something another speaker is saying, or if you've never presented before and are a bit nervous — we can help you out! Email Julie Kusiek at [email protected].

  4. Talk to your friends and neighbours. It’s time for safe and liveable street supporters to take action. Invite them to get involved and forward them this newsletter.

RESOURCES