With pedestrians and cyclists representing 23 per cent of commuters and 16 per cent of all road user deaths and serious injuries in Orange from 2008-2013, Orange City Council considered lowering the speed from the existing 50km/h between March and Moulder streets and between Peisley and Hill streets.

The move was proposed as part of an active travel plan to encourage more people to walk or ride their bicycles.

But after public consultation revealed 55 per cent of respondents opposed a speed limit change, councillor Neil Jones moved an amendment to include just Byng, Summer and Kite streets.

“We have to move with the times but it’s one step too far to go to Moulder and March,” he said.

“If we can keep them to a responsible speed limit, we’ll be all the better for it.”

With some councillors contending parents would not allow their children to use Summer Street on their bikes, councillor Russell Turner said they had the wrong idea.

“It’s not just about school children, it’s also about the workforce walking or riding to work and we’ve got to start somewhere,” he said.

“We’re trying to slow traffic down so cyclists will feel more comfortable and it would take pressure off our car parks.”

Councillor Jeff Whitton said many people would be riding from outside the CBD anyway, where the speed limits were higher, and motorists travelling through the CBD would be penalised at non-peak times.

“At the end of the day when it’s not busy and you’ve got to do 40, the police are there to uphold the law and they are going to book you - they won’t go, ‘it’s 10 o’clock at night’,” he said.

After the meeting, Cr Whitton said lowering the speed to 40km/h might also discourage people from outside Orange to visit and spend their retail dollars.

“If they’re booked once, they might not come into the CBD,” he said.

With the plan framework now approved, the council will expand on it to prioritise how it will improve pathways, linkages, dual lane roundabouts and bicycle lock-up facilities.

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au