Slow Streets

About the Slow Streets initiative

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  Review and refresh

  Since we introduced the network in 2020, we have reviewed its effectiveness, engaged with the community and assessed changes in how our streets are used.

  Review the report for details PDF file (2.6 MB)

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  Changes from COVID-19 response (2020) to refresh (2022)

  Slow Streets will look different after the refresh, but the goal remains unchanged: slowing vehicle speeds for a safer and more comfortable experience for people who walk, bike, roll, or drive. 

  Changes in the Slow Streets roll-out from 2020 (COVID-19 response) to 2022 (Slow Streets Refresh) are outlined in the table below.

  -	COVID-19 Slow Streets (2020)	Slow Streets Refresh (2022)
  Materials	Temporary barriers	Gateways created with concrete barriers and signage
  Network length	40 kilometres	40 kilometres
  Emergency vehicle access	Yes	Yes
  Local traffic only	Yes	Yes

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  Maintenance and monitoring

  By May 2022, the first Slow Streets had been in place for two years. The volume of maintenance requests increased as more barriers were removed, misplaced, or damaged, leading to increased operational costs. 

  The gateways, created with concrete barriers and signage, are less susceptible to damage or removal. They also offer an improved aesthetic, encouraging closer compliance with slow speeds, while still being flexible should changes be needed.

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  Slower vehicles

  The gateways will create a pinch point where Slow Streets meet major streets, allowing only one direction of vehicle traffic at a time.

  Drivers will be required to slow down and potentially wait for exiting vehicles before entering the Slow Street.

  Examples of the gateways on narrow (Figure 1) and wide streets (Figure 2) are shown below. 

  

  Figure 1. Slow Streets barrier refresh designs for narrow streets

  

  Figure 2. Slow Streets barrier refresh designs for wide streets

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  Walking, biking, and rolling

  No changes are proposed on existing sidewalks for people walking or rolling. Crossing at intersections should be more comfortable as vehicle speeds are reduced by the gateway treatments.   

  The gateway designs allow people cycling to bypass the pinch point by using the space between the barriers and the curb. 

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  Traffic calming

  The gateways are designed to calm traffic entering the Slow Streets network. No additional diversionary traffic measures are proposed on the network.

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  Public engagement

  A community survey received 1,942 responses, with over 70% liking or really liking the Slow Streets initiative. You can review the detailed public engagement summary from Step 1 here. 

  A second survey on the traffic calming measures deployed in six locations on the Slow Streets network received 451 responses.

  Review a summary of those findings
  in appendix II of the report PDF file (2.6 MB)

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  Changes to Slow Streets network

  Three minor changes are planned to better align with existing and future bikeways: 

  • Between E 19th Ave and Stainsbury Ave/Vanness Ave in the Kensington-Cedar Cottage neighbourhood, the Slow Street will move one block to the west, to the existing bikeway along Gladstone St. 
  • Between Gladstone St and Dumfries St in the Kensington-Cedar Cottage neighbourhood, the Slow Street will move one block to the south, from E 36th Ave to the Midtown/Ridgeway Greenway, recognizing construction completion in Jones Park.
  • Between E Pender St and Kitchener St in the Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood, the Slow Street will move one block to the east from Lillooet St to Windermere St. This will align the Slow Street with a future greenway in this area.