(image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

PILOT PROGRAM

Kamloops to pilot 30 km/hr speed limit in two neighbourhoods

Jul 17, 2025 | 4:45 PM

KAMLOOPS — A recommendation brought forward from Livability and Sustainability Select Committee to lower the speed limit on some Kamloops streets received support from council on Tuesday (July 15).

It means local, residential roads in Kamloops could soon have a 30 km/h speed limit, as city council begins the process of examining lower speeds. Similar initiatives to lower speed limits have been undertaken by municipalities across the province.

“The purpose was to make sure that people were valued over commuting in a car,” said councillor Stephen Karpuk, who brought forward the idea. “That a kid that might randomly run out chasing a ball doesn’t get hit by somebody because the stopping distance for somebody in a car at 30 km/h versus 50 km/h is more than double.”

“The survivability of an impact at 30 km/h versus 50 km/h is noticeably different.”

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The new lower limits would only affect local roads and not arterial roads or collectors like Fortune Drive, Tranquille Road or Columbia Street, which would remain at the current speed limits.

“We are talking local roads and reminding people this is not Westsyde Road, this is not a Parkcrest, this not an 8th, this is not Bachelor Drive,” Karpuk added. “These are not collectors or arterials, these are local roads.”

Council has asked staff to find two distinctly different communities in Kamloops where a pilot project will take place.

Some community members who CFJC Today spoke to about the move were seemingly onboard with the reduced speed limits.

“I think it is a good idea. I don’t like to hear about all the accidents and impacts with people on the local roads,” said a resident.

“It will probably get some of us to slow down a little bit,” added another. “Actually where this lady lives they have put it down to 20 km/hr, and I don’t like that all. I figured even the schools go to 30, so 30 will be fine.”

There was also hope from council that lower speed limits could support more kids playing outdoors in a safer setting.

“I don’t know if the speed limit is stopping them, but it will make them safer,” added a third resident. “I would like to see more kids out for sure, but I think it will just make them safer, that’s the main thing.”

“Especially in the summer time, [the kids] are everywhere,” said Councillor Dale Bass. “That is why I support Councilor Karpuk on this. I just think it just makes perfect sense. Kids are outside playing and that is where we want them to be, outside playing.”

A report that outlines what the pilot project will look like and when it will take place will be brought back to City Council for input and approval before any further decisions are made.