Safer, more welcoming streets are good for kids: Samuel Luck, Collingwood College Principal (primary).

Collingwood College is made up of a vibrant and diverse range of inner city kids of which more than 90 per cent travel by bike, foot or public transport. For them, a 30km/h speed limit means a safer way to travel and live.

Almost 900 students are enrolled at Collingwood College, with just under half in the Primary School. Sam Luck, Principal P-6, knows that encouraging students to take sustainable means of transport to school comes with some risks.

Looking after 350 primary school students at Collingwood College, Principal Samuel Luck knows that encouraging them to take sustainable means of transport to school comes with some risks.

Students travel through the heart of the 30km/h trial area every day, so it will have a tangible effect on their safety.

And while students must be mindful of their safety, they’re still children, and any changes that create a safer environment can only benefit them.

“The kids of all ages from prep to high school wander through and so many of them will sit and stop for coffee on the way, although they’re probably not meant to.”

Building independence is important for the students’ growth, Sam said, but road safety made that possible, and a 30km/h speed limit brings peace of mind for students and their parents.

“The main thing is just safety, and knowing that whether it’s me walking down the street or any one of the kids, it’s a lot safer.”

Collingwood College is a destination school, with 60 per cent of students travelling 10km or further. A 30km/h speed limit in nearby streets would help ensure they get to school safely every day.

“Cars being safe on the road is a good thing.”

Sam has lived and worked in the area for more than a decade, and road safety is an issue on the way home after a long day.

“If you’re not paying attention and a car’s coming at you at 60k’s, it’s going to hurt,” said Sam.

Over the last 10 years, measures have been put into place to slow down drivers on the backstreets, but Sam said we need to keep improving.

“I remember when it was reduced from 60 to 50 and after a little while you just get used to it. Now if you were driving down one of those streets at 60km an hour, you’d feel like you’re going 100k’s. There’s method to the madness in changing perception,” he said.

Safety is essential to Sam’s line of work, and the local community is ready for an initiative like Thanks for 30.

“People are like-minded with safety and environment in this area, you can see that by walking through any of the streets. You get a feel for it. It’s in the air and I think that people around here are pretty well-grounded, and will want to make it work.”

“Making the inner north a safer place will help make the area more liveable and could have roll on effects if it gains momentum to other areas.“

“If there is anywhere we were going to start this, it will be this area.”