Vancouver neighbourhood streets set to become much safer

Good morning! 

As we’ve been discussing for the last month, we want to cover more neighbourhood news in the city.

So I’m wondering if readers would be interested in a section like the agenda that’s explicitly focused on neighbourhood updates? Like news in Kitsilano, Kerrisdale, Chinatown, explicitly showcasing what’s going on there in smaller bite-sized updates. Let me know in the poll later in the newsletter.

And the last update — the Lookout is launching a new newsletter focused on wine! Our colleague Ralf has been writing about it often over in Ottawa, so we thought, heck, why not expand it nationwide?

Ralf plans to share affordable, approachable wines with a dash of education. Think of it as your weekly dose of all things vino. You can subscribe to the free newsletter instantly by clicking here.

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout managing editor

PS - If you find this newsletter valuable, please consider forwarding it to your friends. New to the Lookout? Sign-up for free. 

WEATHER

Monday: 25 🌡️ 15 | ☁️

Tuesday: 24 🌡️ 16 | 🌧️

Wednesday: 17 🌡️ 12 | 🌧️

TRANSPORTATION

Vancouver neighbourhood streets set to become much safer

What happened: Vancouver city council is moving forward on its plan to increase safety on Vancouver streets. A report to be reviewed on Wednesday recommends reducing the speed limit for streets in residential areas with no centre line from 50 km/h to 30 km/h. The plan is part of the city’s goal to reduce traffic-related deaths to zero by 2040.

Background: The change has some important metrics behind it. Research shows that reducing speeds in this way can cut pedestrian fatalities from 80 per cent to 15 per cent when a collision takes place. This has been part of a goal to reduce neighbourhood speed limits to 30 km/h. A pilot was done in Grandview-Woodland with signs on every block and in Strathcona, as well as on other arterial streets. 

• For local residents, another big benefit is quieter streets and better air quality.  

One problem: The change may come with some challenges, according to the Vancouver Sun, with the city acknowledging that it may be hard to enforce, especially during the transition. The Vancouver police may focus some officers’ time on paying special attention to slow zones when the program begins.

• One way to fix this is through physical changes and better signage, which the city is planning. This could include changing road designs, like adding speed bumps or narrowing streets in certain areas. 

Gateway areas: The Slow Zone Neighbourhood areas outlined in this map would receive extensive signage at entrance points into those neighbourhoods. It’s expected to cost around $350,000 to install signs in these slow zones. 

• What’s next: The vote will happen this Wednesday at city council. If approved, the first signs would be installed later this year. 

What it means: Not to be simplistic, but this change is a no-brainer. There is much debate amongst our readers about whether the city should reduce car usage, but it shouldn’t be controversial to reduce speeds where families and children spend most of their time. This will likely also have the added benefit of making it safer for scooter users and cyclists.

THE VANCOUVER NUMBER

200,00

The number of people expected to participate in the 13th Annual Khatsahlano Street Party on West 4th Ave. It begs the question why the city doesn’t do more of these types of events… Read more. [CTV]

THE AGENDA

🌊 Vancouver is among many cities across the country that are rethinking their approach to stormwater management. Sounds boring but it’s actually very interesting (I promise). Rather than letting it run off and overflow, and bring debris and chemicals into the ocean, the city is building permeable pavement, marsh-like areas, rain gardens and more. It will also help save money on sewer replacements. There are around 400 different projects planned. Read more. [Globe and Mail]

🏢 City council is eyeing the area around Rupert and Renfrew Station as a new area of development. The plan would add around 19,000 new residents by 2050, a 61 per cent increase in the area, along with 8,000 new jobs and 10,000 homes. Unlike the Broadway Plan, the area is mostly single-family homes. Read more. [Vancouver Sun]

📉 Good news, but also mostly bad news? Home affordability is getting better across Canada, but Vancouver continues to be the most expensive, requiring 92.7 per cent of a median household income to cover the costs of buying a home. Read more. [Business in Vancouver]

🔥 Just because you can change a law doesn’t mean it will be followed. Case in point? The city banned lockable, continuously burning butane torches last year because of how many were causing fires throughout the city. But recently, Vancouver Fire Rescue Services inspected 168 retail vendors and discovered that 49 per cent were still selling the devices. Read more. [CBC]

👮 A man who sucker punched three people over a week-long period in Vancouver last November has been sentenced to 18 months in jail. Read more. [Global]

🗳️ A new entrant has thrown his hat into the ring for Vancouver’s mayoral election next year. Kareem Allam plans to run under the newly formed Vancouver Liberal Party. Allam, who was Ken Sim’s former chief of staff and ABC’s campaign manager, said his party plans to run a full slate of candidates on all boards. He is currently being sued by the mayor, alleging Allam shared defamatory comments, which Allam denies. Read more. [Vancouver Sun]

💰️ Vancouver’s GDP is expected to grow 1.2 per cent in 2025, the same as last year, with 23,000 jobs expected to be created. Meanwhile, the city’s population is expected to grow by one percent, the slowest since the pandemic, and then fall in 2026 and 2027. If the population does fall, it would be the first time since 1986. Read more. [Business in Vancouver]

EVENT GUIDE

Summer Movie Nights | šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square | Thursdays, Jul - Aug | Free outdoor movie with activities starting at 5 PM | Learn more [Sponsored]

Let’s Hear It For Yaletown | Bill Curtis Square | July 11, 5:30 pm | Live Canadian hot jazz bands | Free

Fridays on Front | Front Street Mews, New Westminster | July 11, 5 pm | Block party with music and food | Free

SUMMER DAZE Open Air Block Party | 390 Industrial Ave | July 11, 7 pm | Dance party, lounge, campfire & cocktails | Tickets $20

Fiji Festival | Swangard Stadium, 6100 Boundary Rd, Burnaby | July 12, 10 am | Soccer, music, kids' zones, food trucks | Free

Family Bike Festival & Tour de Concord | Concord Pacific Place | July 13, 9:55 am | Bike demos, food trucks, kids’ zone | Free

Eastside Arts Festival | MacLean Park and Eastside Arts District | July 18–27 | Art workshops, live music, beer garden, and more | Tickets various prices

Vancouver Craft Beer and Wing Fest | 2901 E Hastings St. | July 12, 12 pm | 150+ breweries, food, cider and wine garden | Tickets $60+

Summer BAZA-Q Bash | Sunset Beach | July 12, 11 am | Food, games, music and outdoor good vibes | Free

Carnaval del Sol 2025 | Jonathan Rogers Park | July 12–13, 11 am | Latin music, food, soccer, art & dance | Tickets $15+

Summer Craft Fair | Granville Island | July 13, 11 am | Handmade items by kids at this family event | Free

SAKE SOIRÉE – Long Table Dining | The Victor, 39 Smithe Street | July 17, 6 pm | Rooftop five-course dinner with sake pairings | Tickets $125

Art Downtown 2025 | Lot 19, 855 W Hastings St | July 17 | Open-air art fair with music and live painting | Free

Korean Cultural Heritage Festival | Swangard Stadium, Burnaby | July 19, 10:30 am | Performances, cuisine, and cultural exhibitions | Free

BACH & MOZART: In Endless Ascent | Various venues, Vancouver | July 26–Aug. 8 | Classical festival blending Bach, Mozart, and modern works | Various prices

Pleasant Day Festival | Mount Pleasant | Aug. 9, 12 pm | Live music, patios, beer gardens, food trucks | Free

Want to see your event here? You can purchase them through our self-service portal here.

PARKS

As Vancouver develops, can Champlain Heights preserve its unique forested area?

The city's Social Housing Initiative could make it easier to build new non-profit housing, but residents are concerned the plan could reduce some of the neighbourhood's many green spaces.

Read the story

NEW VANCOUVER JOBS

Discover your new dream job in Vancouver:

• Director of communications and engagement, Providence Health Care

• YouTube producer, Vireo Video

• ​​Executive chef, OPUS Vancouver

• Labour relations officer, BC Nurses Union

• Director of residential property operations — Western Canada, Minto Group

VIDEO OF THE DAY

This popular YouTuber, who’s obsessed with public transit, explains why he’s such a huge fan of the Seabus (that makes two of us!).

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Sad news for Thai food fans — this popular and long-running Thai spot is closing. [Vancouver is Awesome]

• So, seems like the Water St. bike lane may not be having the desired effect…

• Reminder — there is a limit to where you can go with Lime scooters.

• This video deep dives into the potential Cascadia earthquake. Turns out, it’s far worse than originally thought. 

• Little Mountain Gallery has a new comedy series contest, their first ever stand-up competition From July 5 to Aug. 6. [Straight]

VANCOUVER NEWS QUIZ

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Do I like Canadian Geese? Not really, since they never seemed to enjoy the inquisitive presence of my old dog. But even I can admit this is a very cool photo of them.