Safety Is the Priority as Montreal Lowers Downtown Speed Limits

October 17, 2019, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Montreal has a strong cycling culture and it's common to see people biking when the snow isn't flying. In an effort to increase cyclist and pedestrian safety and mobility the city is lowering speed limits and opening a new bike lane to create linkages to other parts of the city. The speed limits will be reduced to 30 km/h on residential streets and 40 km/h on main streets.

Several studies have now shown the correlation between speed limits under 50km/h and dramatically improved pedestrian and cyclist safety on the roads. Generally, when a car strikes someone at speeds above 50 km/h death is the result. At speeds of 40 km/h survival rates increase dramatically.

In downtown Montreal 80% of people travel by foot, bike or shared transport and according to Mayor Valerie Plante it is essential that the city improve both access to active transport, and the safety of those using active transport. Vulnerable road users are those who are not in cars.

This move ties into the Vision Zero plan adopted by the City of Montreal to eliminate pedestrian and cyclist deaths. I’ve written about this initiative here.

These changes represent a great move forward for vulnerable road user safety and will set an example for other municipalities in Canada of what can be achieved with municipal will. Enforcement of the limits will be key to the success of the programme.

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