Surrey Council Votes to Reduce Speed Limits Across Key Roadways
Surrey council has approved a series of speed-limit reductions across the city and is urging the provincial government to lower B.C.’s default road speed to 40 km/h. The changes were endorsed at the November 17 council meeting as part of Surrey’s ongoing Vision Zero Surrey Safe Mobility Plan, aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries on city streets.
What’s Changing
A report from engineering GM Scott Neuman outlines several upcoming adjustments:
• Arterial roads currently posted at 70 km/h will generally be reduced to 60 km/h, except in low-conflict agricultural corridors.
• Non-MRN arterial roads posted at 60 km/h in busy urban centres will be reviewed for potential reduction to 50 km/h.
• Collector roads posted at 60 km/h will drop to 50 km/h.
• Local roads will remain at 50 km/h, consistent with the 2023 Slow Streets Pilot.
The city will also assess speeds around:
• Schools
• Parks
• Key cycling routes
with a target of 30 km/h in high-activity areas. Speed bumps will be installed along all local roads fronting schools and parks, spaced a minimum of 100 metres apart.
Pushing the Province for Change
Surrey will continue advocating for a province-wide default limit of 40 km/h, arguing that it will create consistency and improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.
Vision Zero Progress
Since 2022, Surrey has implemented a wide range of safety upgrades:
• 39 new traffic signals (27 full + 14 pedestrian)
• 10 roundabouts/traffic circles
• 41 protected left turns
• 5 activated crossing beacons
• 114 speed bumps
• 50 new crosswalks
• 3,100 LED streetlight upgrades
• 7 km of new sidewalks
• 45 km of protected cycling lanes
Neuman said Surrey’s Traffic Management Centre now uses 600+ live cameras and Google alerts to track road conditions. Staff analyze 500+ incidents per month, including 6–7 vulnerable-road-user collisions caught on video.
Collision Data Driving the Change
A 2023 pedestrian safety study revealed:
• 70% of pedestrian collisions occur on arterial roads
• Arterials represent less than 20% of Surrey’s road network
• 39% of collisions happen in dark or low-light conditions
• 55% of pedestrian collisions at signals involve left-turning drivers
These findings guided the new design standards, lighting upgrades, and corridor reviews.
Council Questions
Councillor Mandeep Nagra asked whether the speed-bump policy applies to private schools as well. Neuman confirmed it does, noting Surrey has taken a proactive approach and is close to completing installations citywide.
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