The speed limit will be lowered on close to a dozen more streets in Perth and regional WA after pedestrians and cyclists increase in areas where the speed limit has been lowered.
The speed limit on several Perth streets has been lowered to 30 kph over the past seven years as part of its 'Safe Active Streets' program to encourage cycling and walking in residential areas.
In the Perth suburb of Nedlands, the number of cyclists increased by almost 300 per cent on the roads that had their speed limits dropped.
The data from the Department of TransportDepartment of Transport showed that 62 per cent of walkers were more active.
The department is working on reducing the speed limit on 11 more streets in Perth and regional WA, including Norfolk Street in the city of Vincent, Hector Street in the city of Stirling, Sussex Street in the city of Kalamunda and Stirling Street in the city of Bunbury.
Residents living near the existing safe street in Nedlands say there are lessons to learn as the program expands.
Josie and Don Pridmore have lived in Nedlands for more than 30 years and said that more thoughtful design was needed while they supported the concept of cycle-friendly streets.
The narrowing in certain sections of the street has resulted in narrowing right at the t-junction, and it's very difficult to get through if you have cars coming in each direction, Mr Pridmore said.
We love the concept but the implementation is where it has fallen over. Benjamin Davis, a student, agreed that more needed to be done to make everyone feel safe on the road.
It's nice cycling on a road where you don't feel like you're going to get killed, he said.
I don't like how narrow this road is because it's kind of stressful when you're driving.
Michelle Prior, the Department's director of active transport, said narrow roads, slow points and intersection changes on the streets were a deliberate attempt to slow down traffic.
She said it is deliberate because it does slow down their speeds.
We want to create a space where vehicles can travel at 30 kph, creating a safe space. She said the changes in Nedlands had diverted traffic away from the cycle-friendly areas.
We're seeing some great outcomes. Colin and Meredith Beck, a Nedlands couple, have lived in the area for 41 years and said they were for the best while it took a while to get used to the changes.
Mrs Beck said you get used to it.
Since the area is marked for cyclists and pedestrians, traffic behaviour has improved since, according to Mr Beck.
There were stop signs and people sliding through the stop signs and not giving way, taking a chance with the stop sign. This is better, he said.
It is a relief to have a safe space for cyclists like Abdullah Alelyani.
It's quiet and nobody is going this way and if they do go this way they drive safe, he said.
I would be scared riding on a main road and sometimes bring my kids with me so this is safer.