Newsroom

30km speed limit
Manly drops and gives us 30

The trip across the harbour to Manly on a ferry has always been peaceful, but now your arrival in the town centre is set to match that, with a new speed limit of 30km/h.

Roads in the centre of Manly and in all of the suburb's school zones have had speed limits reduced from 40km/h speed limits to make bike riding and walking safer and more enjoyable.

The new speed limits will not only improve the pace and liveability of streets but also reduce the likelihood and severity of any crashes.

Sadly, the probability of death if someone is hit by a car travelling at 40km/h is 15%, however that drops to 5% when the speed is 30km/h.

30km/k is the gold standard speed limits for built up areas and is and recommended by the OECD International Transport Forum.

Member for Manly James Griffin said that the new speed limits will allow more people to enjoy the streets of Manly and move around safely.

“I’m proud the NSW Government and Northern Beaches Council have been so quick to identify this opportunity to keep people safe in Manly. As we start moving again, I’d encourage everyone to reconsider the way they travel and consider how they could use other modes such as walking or cycling as alternative routes to work, school or university,” Mr Griffin said.

“These are just some of the measures we are putting into place across Sydney. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with councils to identify busy locations where we can implement changes to ensure people can safely distance themselves.”

30km/h speed zones have also been set up in the south-western suburb Liverpool.

The new speed limits should also help local business bounce back after COVID-19 shutdowns, with the calmer street environment encouraging people to spend more time and move around retail areas.

30km/h speed limits in areas where people should be encouraged to ride and walk is a long-term campaign of Bicycle Network.

The speed limit has been trialled in the City of Yarra in inner-Melbourne within the block bound by Alexandra Parade, Hoddle Street, Johnston Street and Nicholson Street.

Read more about the new speed limits in the Sydney Morning Herald

See Bicycle Network’s Low Speed Locals campaign

Read more about the International Transport Forum’s recommendations

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