Nickobec said:
The speed limit unless sign posted otherwise in WA is 50kph including the PSP
That is completely wrong.
In WA there is no specific speed limit on shared paths within the road reserve. If it is alongside a road then it is (almost certainly) the speed of the adjacent road unless signed otherwise which is unusual. Away from the road, particularly through parks and reserves, it is in many cases subject to the speed limit for vehicles specified in the local law. In the shire I work this is 10km/h unless signed otherwise.
There are a number of other factors, a limit is just that and, even where there is one, slower speeds may be appropriate or even essential. Section 229 b of the Road Traffic Code articulates the offence of reckless riding which becomes more likely as speeds exceed 20.
In Darwin, NT, all paths are subject to a blanket 20km/h limit - and you don't need to wear a helmet. Also the Austroads guidelines are very specific when selecting which path type, shared paths are contraindicated where speeds are predicted to exceed 20km/h and separated paths required.
From what has been said here these seems to be a reasonable consensus that speed limit signage may be appropriate to in part advise of what is socially acceptable and safe, but also enable reckless speeds to be appropriately penalised.
The way the public debate is going, and if numbers of PEDS and cyclists increase as governments intend, then speed limits are a likely outcome. On many shared paths, when applying duty of care and risk management, this would likely start at a general 20km/h (see Darwin and Austroads above) but there is a VERY strong case for higher speed limits to be signed where the intended purpose and function of a path is predicated on this.
On a positive note, application of speed signage/limits to particularly shared paths could have massive benefits for cyclists.
Given that paths being 'sold' to cyclists as suitable for fast commuting are often so poorly built and shared with slow and unpredictable pedestrians, the social backlash from posting slower limits could be such that only upgrading them to safely accommodate fast cycling, and in many cases relocating pedestrians so they are dedicated BIKE PATHS, would become an essential part of signing higher speeds.
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