Neighbourhood speed limits
In Calgary, the default speed limit is 40 km/h on roads without posted signs. Drivers must not go over this speed on any unsigned road. Since lowering neighbourhood residential roads to 40 km/h, there have been zero fatal collisions on these roads, compared to about one per year before.
Background
On May 31, 2021, Calgary lowered the default unposted speed limit from 50 km/h to 40 km/h to improve safety in neighbourhoods. This mostly applies to residential streets and some collector roads, where people live, walk and cycle.
Collector roads connect residential streets to major roads. They carry moderate traffic at higher speeds while also allowing access to homes and businesses. There were no changes to major roads such as Bow Trail, Anderson Road and Memorial Drive, or to playground zones.
What's next?
As part of the City’s Vision Zero commitment to reduce serious injuries and fatal collisions, this work is being expanded.
Under the new framework, speed limits on some collector roads and community entrances will be lowered to 40 km/h when the road design supports slower driving and traffic studies show drivers are already travelling below the current speed limit.
Studies show that even small reductions in speed make a difference. A one per cent reduction in average speed can lead to:
- a 2% reduction in all collisions
- a 3% reduction in injury collisions
- a 4% reduction in fatal collisions
Lower speeds also help people feel safer and more comfortable getting around their community, whether they are walking, cycling or driving.
Calgary speed limits map
The Calgary speed limit map shows posted maximum speed limits across the city. It does not show the default residential speed limit of 40 km/h, which was reduced from 50 km/h effective May 31, 2021.
Questions about speed limit reductions?
For more information about speed limit reductions under the collector road framework, please submit a service request through 311.
What roads have new speed limits?
Speed limit reductions apply to collector roads and community entrances leading into neighbourhoods.
- Collector roads typically have homes, schools, businesses or green spaces nearby. They usually have a centre line and are often on bus or snow routes. Industrial collector roads are not included.
- Community entrances connect major roads to neighbourhoods.
To decide if a collector road can be reduced to 40 km/h, several factors are considered. These include whether current speeds are already below the posted limit and whether the road is near schools, playgrounds, parks or driveways.
For details on locations where speed limits will be reduced, refer to the 2026 Changes to Collector Speed Limits Map. This map shows all collector roads and main community entrances where speed limits are changing from 50 km/h to 40 km/h as part of this initiative.
How did we get here?
This work builds on the success of the residential speed limit reduction. Since lowering neighbourhood residential roads to 40 km/h, there have been no fatal collisions, compared to about one per year before.
Based on this success, the City reviewed speed limits on collector roads. This review helps identify where reducing speeds to 40 km/h is appropriate, based on roads where drivers are already travelling at lower speeds. It also ensures a consistent and fair approach across the city.
Collector roads where speeds are still too high will need additional traffic calming measures before speed limits can be reduced.
For more information about previous residential speed reductions, see the council documents below: