Toronto and East York Community Council has voted to explore the process of lowering the residential speed limit to 30 km/hr from the present 40 km/hr. Such a decision would be noticeable across South Bayview neighborhoods. It is a move much sought after by some residents of Leaside, Davisville Village and Moore Park. In fact, a mixed response may be expected. The old saying that people are in favour of lower speeds for others may apply. It will certainly strain the control of drivers on a street like Moore Ave between Mt. Pleasant and Bayview. Bulldog readers will be able to think of many such streets in their own locales. Of course, lower limits might not effect all 40 km streets. The committee’s move covers the same ground as a policy that had been under consideration by the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee to devise standards to lower speed limits on some streets across the city. That committee was split on the issue, and sent it on to next week’s council meeting without recommendation, leaving it up to the full council. Josh Matlow (Ward 22) moved that the community council simply assert its authority and cut the speed limit across the entire community council area. He is quoted in the Mirror as saying: “There was a valiant effort by my colleague (Beaches-East York Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon) at Public Works and Infrastructure to move forward with this item there and now we are fully aware we have delegated authority to move forward, we are moving forward,” said Matlow. “We believe there should be ample opportunity for public consultation but from the residents we’ve heard from, the vast majority are strongly in support of safer roads in our neighbourhoods.”
