HAY and Murray Streets are set to become 30kmh zones through West Perth under an updated Bike Plan adopted by Perth council this week.

The plan also includes an extensive expansion of bike routes through the city, with Thomas Street between Kings Park Road and Wellington Street a priority project; and other measures that will need an extra $200,000 annually to implement.

The 30kmh limit is in line with a 2021 World Health Organisation campaign to reduce speeds in cities throughout the world, which has already been adopted by London, Paris and Barcelona.

It was one of the key themes raised by cyclists during consultation last year, while they also wanted more direct routes through the city and separating bikes from cars where possible.

A report to the council notes there were concerns raised by councillors during the consultation that lowering the speed limit could increase congestion.

“Perth naturally has many streets that are crucial for efficient traffic flow, and a pedestrian-centric approach could lead to congestion and delays for motorists and that frustration does not lend itself towards safety,” one of the submissions said.

But the City team behind the plan, who among them have a PhD in urban planning, a couple of masters of urban design or landscape architecture, and a variety of degrees in traffic management, don’t believe that will be the case.

The majority of delays to motorists in the CBD occur at intersections,” their report said.

“Reducing speed limits will not have an adverse impact on intersection delays.

“The City already has a fairly wide 40kmh speed zone in the CBD which was first introduced in 2010 and has since been expanded.

The council will also continue to implement its Two-way Streets program to reduce the number of one-way streets in the CBD, such as the stretch along Hay Street between Victoria Avenue and Bennet Street which is due to start in the next 12 months.

The report also noted that several cities including Sydney and Bogota in Columbia have been temporarily closing some of their streets to traffic (Bogota’s is on Saturdays) and hold events that encourage people to cycle, ride and scoot into the city rather than drive.

by STEVE GRANT