The City of Vancouver started  rolling out its Neighbourhood Slow Zone program, where the speed limit on local, residential streets is being reduced from 50 km/h to 30 km/h starting in six neighbourhoods. Residents should watch for new signs in the following areas over the next few months. The neighbourhoods where the speed limit was reduced are as follow:

• River District (between SE Marine Drive/Marine Way, Boundary Road, Argyle Street)
• West End - Denman West (between Denman Street, Beach Avenue/Morton Avenue, Georgia Street, Stanley Park Drive)
• Grandview-Woodland (between Hastings Street, East 1st Avenue, Victoria Drive, Nanaimo Street)
• Mt Pleasant (between Main Street, East Broadway, Great Northern Way/E 2nd Ave, Clark Drive)
• Downtown East Side (between East Hastings Street, Main/Gore Street, Clark Drive) & Strathcona-Strathcona Park (Prior Street, Raymur Avenue, Malkin Avenue, National Avenue) 
• St. George’s (between Camosun/29th Avenue, 33rd Avenue, King Edward Street, Dunbar Street) 

This initiative follows Council’s unanimous decision last summer to reduce speeds on local streets and protect people walking, biking, and rolling. Currently, the blanket speed limit for all streets in Vancouver is set by provincial legislation at 50 km/h unless otherwise posted. 

 “Improving safety on our local streets takes partnership,” said Mayor Ken Sim. “Speed limits are there for a reason. They protect kids walking to school, families out for a stroll, and seniors crossing the street in our neighbourhoods. When we slow down, we save lives.” 

Local residential streets are where families live, children play, and neighbours connect – they make up about 80% of Vancouver’s street network. Lowering speeds to 30 km/h makes local streets safer and more livable.  

Why slower is safer:  

• Reduced fatalities: Dropping speeds from 50 km/h to 30 km/h can cut pedestrian fatality rates in collisions from 80% to 15%. 
• Fewer collisions: Lower speeds mean drivers can stop much sooner —50% shorter stopping distances—helping prevent crashes.  
• Quieter, cleaner streets: Slower speeds make neighbourhoods quieter and improve air quality, creating a safer, more pleasant community for everyone. 

“Lowering speed limits on local streets is one of the most effective ways we can protect lives and have safer, more welcoming neighbourhoods,” said. Paul Storer, Director of Transportation. “At 30 km/h, drivers have nearly twice the time to react, and collisions are far less likely to result in serious injury or death. This is a practical step to improve day to day safety for everyone using our streets.” 

“Speed is the biggest contributing factor in car crash fatalities in B.C.,” said Kathleen Nadalin,Manager, ICBC’s Community Relations and Road Safety Program Delivery. “Slowing down gives you more time to react to the unexpected and help protect everyone using the road.” 

These six areas are the first of 25 neighbourhood slow zones to be rolled out over the next three years. Additional neighbourhoods will be added as future budgets allow. 

In addition to the posted 30 km/h speed limits, the City is also installing Entering Neighbourhood Slow Zone signs at neighbourhood entry points to alert drivers that they are entering a reduced speed zone and to drive accordingly.  

The speed limit change is part of the City of Vancouver’s Vision Zero Action Plan, which aims to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries.