Radical push to slash speed limits in Victorian suburbs

Speed limits in residential streets would be reduced under a near $1bn push to get Victorians to ditch the car for short distances.

Speed limits would be reduced to 40km/h in residential streets under a push to get Victorians walk more. Picture: Damian Shaw

Speed limits in residential streets should be reduced to 40km/h under a near $1bn election wish list being pushed by the state’s pedestrian lobby.

Victoria Walks is calling on political parties to champion a culture of walking as research shows more than five million car trips are taken in Melbourne each week that cover less than 1km in distance.

A survey carried out in late 2021 by the organisation found two-thirds of Victorians supported the concept of developing neighbourhoods where shops, jobs, schools and recreation facilities are within a 20-minute walk from home.

About 55 per cent of respondents wanted the 50km/h speed limit in residential streets cut to 40km/h to boost pedestrian safety.

Victoria Walks executive officer Ben Rossiter said the risk of serious injury and death increased dramatically as speeds surpassed 40 km/h.

“Safer speeds make streets safer for everyone, particularly children – drivers travelling at safer speeds can react to anything unexpected,” he said.

Victoria Walks is calling on political parties to champion a culture of walking. Picture: Richard Walker

Small Business Victoria executive director Bill Lang said at first glance no one would disagree with the need to ensure that streets were safe for all users.

But Mr Lang said it was important to understand the implications of a call for reducing speed across the board, especially its impact and costs for other road users, such as commercial vehicles.

“Do we need more regulations if the current regulations, such as e-scooters and bikes on footpaths, are not being enforced,” he said.

Nearly half of the 2372 survey respondents said they would do more local walking if footpaths were improved, and if walking paths were separated from cycling routes.

More than 40 per cent called for better paths in parks or waterways, and more street trees.

Mr Rossiter said that too many short trips were being made in cars.

“There are over five million car trips in Melbourne each week that are under one km, we need to make it safer and easier for people to walk for short trips to shops, public transport and schools,” he said.

Victoria Walks wants a commitment by the next government to spend $942m over four years to enable councils and public agencies to deliver safer streets, recreation opportunities and tourism trails.

Mr Rossiter said the benefits of walking projects had been estimated at $13 for every dollar invested.

“We need a change in direction away from massive dollar-sucking major projects to support people to have more options to walk and live locally, particularly with working from home,” he said.

“We need address the real inequities between people living in inner areas with those in middle, and particularly outer suburbs facing higher transport costs and general cost of living.”

Originally published as Radical push to slash speed limits in Victorian suburbs