Speed Reduction on Local Roads

In 2025/2026,  the Town explored reducing speed limits on local roads from 50km/h to 30km/h to improve safety for all road users, including drivers and people who walk, bike, or ride a scooter. The change would have affected roads classified as ‘local’ in the Official Community Plan.

Public Engagement

To better understand community opinion on this topic, an online survey about speed limit reduction was open from October 3, 2025 to November 14, 2025. The Town received 981 responses to the survey and 13 letters from members of the public.

The survey found:

1. Reducing Speed Limits on Local Roads

• Only 32% of respondents supported lowering speed limits on all local roads in Sidney from 50 km/h to 30 km/h.
• 66% opposed lowering speed limits on all local roads.
• 2% were unsure.

2. Speed Limit Signage (if speeds were reduced)

• 47% supported speed limit signs on priority streets.
• 33% supported signs at gateways to neighbourhoods.
• 19% supported signs on every street.

3. Traffic-Calming Infrastructure

• Nearly 50% strongly opposed using speed humps, centreline bollards, bollard curb extensions, or pavement curb extensions.
• Respondents were neutral on the use of speed display boards.
• 64% supported or strongly supported the use of pavement markings.

Written Correspondence:

• 6 letters supported reducing speed limits on local roads.
• 5 letters opposed reducing speed limits.
• 2 letters focused on the need for speed reductions on Mills Road East

Outcome

Council has opted not to pursue blanket speed limit reductions.

However, public feedback did identify specific streets and areas of concern, in particular, Mills Road East. Council has approved reducing the speed limit on Mills Road East to 30 km/h and instructed staff to propose targeted speed reductions based on studies and community input moving forward. This approach would be consistent with existing reduced-speed areas in Sidney, including the downtown core, the SHOAL Centre, and school zones.