Safer local streets with lower traffic speeds that encourage people to travel by bike is a key recommendation of the new Victorian infrastructure strategy.
Infrastructure Victoria’s draft 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy recommends that 30km/h be the default speed limit on local streets, starting in places that children often visit including around schools, playgrounds, childcare centres and kindergartens.
The document is updated every five years, and the latest version has just been released for public comment.
Slower speeds make streets safer and have little effect on travel times by car, the strategy says.
"The Victorian and local governments can lower speed limits on more local streets over time to improve pedestrian safety,” Infrastructure Victoria says.
"But we do not recommend these changes to roads with speed limits above 50km/h. These roads transport people in trams and buses and goods in commercial vehicles.
"Research shows that reducing speed limits works better when combined with changes to local street infrastructure. This helps more drivers stick to the speed limit so people can walk and cycle safely.
"Many local streets do not have safe crossing points. Governments can trial upgrades to infrastructure on streets where speeds have been reduced to show how these changes benefit the community,” the strategy says.
Lower speed local streets and shopping streets – in fact any street where pedestrians and bike riders are comparatively dense – are a worldwide trend, and where introduced have resulted in remarkable improvements in safety and amenity.
Australian politicians, though, have been grudgingly stubborn to recognise these trends because of driver complaints.
Bicycle Network CEO, Alison McCormack, said the latest recommendations could be the tipping point that finally get communities speed limit settings that are safe.
“No Australian wants high-speed traffic in their own street where children are playing and elderly pedestrians are crossing the road,” she said.
"We have already had successful trials in Victoria where slower, calmer streets encourage more street activity and a better sense of community.
“Children can ride their bikes to school and adults feel relaxed about riding their bikes to work on these less hectic streets.
“As well, local commercial centres are attracting more people and economic activity is strengthened.
“And once we get speeds down, risks to riders are reduced and any special bike infrastructure is less costly and intrusive so everybody wins.”
You can download the draft strategy and make a submission via https://engage.vic.gov.au/victorias30yearinfrastructurestrategy
Consultation closes on 28 April 2025 and will be reviewed between May and October, with the final strategy due to be tabled in the Victorian Parliament in late 2005.
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