Why default speed limits in Winnipeg could drop

After years of pilot projects, research and community feedback, Winnipeg’s public service is recommending lowering the city’s default speed limit.

Speed limits in residential neighbourhoods in Winnipeg could soon be reduced if the city adopts a recommendation made in a new report.

The Public Service is recommending the city change the default speed limit from 50 km/h to 40 km/h.

The main reason for the recommendation is safety, the report reads, noting fatal collisions could drop by 10 to 20 per cent and crashes that cause major injuries could drop by six to 12 per cent.

In March 2023, four neighbourhoods—Richmond West, Worthington, Bourkevale, and Tyndall Park South—had their speed limits reduced to 30 km/h or 40 km/h as part of a pilot project.

The pilot project found drivers’ speeds did drop in the neighbourhoods with the exception of Richmond West. People were also less concerned about speeding once the changes were made, the report said.

Residents in these areas were surveyed, and it was found four in 10 wanted the speed limit to stay the same, four in 10 wanted the limit to drop to 40 km/h, and two in 10 wanted it to be lowered to 30 km/h.

The results of the project led to the current recommendation.

As part of the recommendation, the report notes some “unique neighbourhoods” could be reduced to 30 km/h due to the road design and layout that would support a lower limit.

As well, exceptions could be made for some collector roads to stay at 50 km/h permanently or temporarily until calming measures are implemented.

Downtown roads are also mentioned in the report, but it notes they would need to be reviewed separately to determine if the speed limit should drop.

If council approves the report, the first step would require the city to ask the province to change the Highway Traffic Act to allow for a speed limit bylaw to be created.

The Public Service would report back in a year after reaching out to the province.

Speaking on the report Wednesday, Mayor Scott Gillingham said this is a topic that would require a lot of conversation and that he doesn’t want to weigh in one way or the other.

“I’m not going to prejudge the debate. This will be a big debate. If the province does permit the City of Winnipeg to change the speed limit, it would be time for a robust discussion with the public,” said Gillingham.

“Slower speeds can be safer, are safer. Some roads are designed in such a way that people tend to go faster than they should. Other roads are designed in such a way that people go slower than the speed limit. So, there’s a lot of discussion; it’s not just about speed limits, it’s about road design.”

However, Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) said she is in full support of a speed limit reduction.

“We are densifying as a city. More and more people are walking and cycling, and I really think 40 km/h flat out, 40 km/h in residential areas, I think it would be a positive thing,” said Lukes.

She said she constantly receives calls from people in her ward concerned about speeding and calling for traffic calming measures.

“If we slow down the speed in residential for a city that’s increasing in population and densification with many, many apartments and people coming from all over the world, biking, and walking, I think it’s a good thing.”

The report said it would cost $525,000 to make up new signage and advertising.

The Standing Policy Committee on Public Works is set to discuss the report on March 4.