Vancouverites have a lot to say about the reduced 30 km/h limit on local streets
The City of Vancouver is lowering speed limits on all local minor streets, and residents and drivers are sharing their thoughts on the change.
On Wednesday, July 9, Vancouver City Council unanimously approved City of Vancouver staff recommendations to reduce the speed limit on these streets to 30 km/h, down from the current 50 km/h default limit set by the provincial government for all roads unless otherwise noted by posted signage.
Typically, these local streets are residential and do not have a painted centre line.
According to Mayor Ken Sim, the change is part of the city’s commitment to safer streets as well as a reduction in road-related fatalities and serious injuries.
News Release: 30 km/h speed limits coming to local streets in Vancouver.
Learn more: https://t.co/nIrK3YD2QO pic.twitter.com/XBY5vIlLpf
— City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) July 9, 2025
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“We look forward to implementing evidence-based practices and finding new, innovative ways to keep pedestrians and active transportation users safe,” added Sim in a release.
City staff developed this implementation plan in response to City Council’s unanimous direction in April 2024, which approved a member motion by Green Party councillor Pete Fry directing staff to explore lowering the speed limit to 30 km/h on all local streets in residential areas.
Speed reduction on local streets will be implemented in a gradual rollout once it is formally enacted by the Council.
“Over the next three years, signage will first be installed at entry points into 25 neighbourhood slow zones,” said the City of Vancouver in a statement. “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 complementary measures implemented through the City’s Neighbourhood Traffic Management Program.
“Further neighbourhoods would have speeds lowered in future capital plans, subject to budget allocations.”
Daniel Chai/Daily Hive
Due to provincial regulations that require posted signage to note any exceptions, City staff estimate it would cost about $14 million to install two 30 km/h signs on each applicable city block.
The news that 30 km/h speed limits are coming to local streets got many Vancouverites talking, with many opposed to the changes.
“Most vehicles on minor roads go 30 anyway, so this is kind of a solution in search of a problem,” said one commenter on Daily Hive’s recent story.
“This won’t do a thing to slow down drivers unless the VPD steps up and charges every driver who is 20 km/h above the speed limit,” added another person.
“This is utterly absurd,” said another reader. “Why waste all this money on something that everyone is already doing?”
Because getting around Vancouver wasn’t slow enough…
— Simon Griffiths (@SimonGr64428204) July 4, 2025
Others posted messages on social media in support of the reduction in speed limit, stating that the change is necessary.
“Always drive my car below 30 km/h on minor streets and recommend ppl do the same,” said a commenter on X. “Most minor streets are very narrow, with cars parked on both sides, which limits visibility.”
“Seems to work fairly well in Victoria. Most understand the reasoning and adapt to it,” added another person.
“This is long overdue and doesn’t need a slow rollout over more than five years,” said another reader. “Require all drivers to acknowledge the change or have their license revoked over the next five years.”
City staff are also considering setting separate speed limits on arterial and collector streets, with recommendations expected to be made at a later date.
Other speed limit changes introduced since the pandemic include implementing 24/7 speed limits of 30 km/h on local streets in all school and playground zones, as well as reducing speed limits to 30 km/h on segments of arterial and collector roads adjacent to select zones.
How do you feel about this reduction of speed limits on local Vancouver streets? Let us know in the comments.
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With files from Kenneth Chan