Together, we’re taking steps
toward a safer, better connected
Sambro Loop.
Safer Steps Sambro Loop is engaging residents across the entire Sambro Loop (and area) — along with local partners, HRM, and the Province — to improve overall road safety and community connectivity. We’re advocating for continuous sidewalks, reduced speed limits, safer crossings, traffic-calming, and better-designed roads so everyone can walk, drive, and move through our community more safely.
Safer Steps Sambro Loop is a grassroots campaign led by residents across the entire Sambro Loop who want safer, better-connected streets for everyone — whether you’re driving to work, walking your kids to school, jogging the Loop, grabbing dinner from Mishoos or heading to church.
The Sambro Loop is a vibrant coastal region with year-round community spirit — from Sou’Wester Days and Pumpkin Palooza to Trunk or Treat, church suppers, and the Lobster Trap Tree lighting at Mishoos, and so much more. But even with all this activity, our Loop still lacks basic features that keep people safe: continuous sidewalks, visible crosswalks, safe shoulders, and intersections designed to slow vehicles and protect everyone on the move.
Our speed limits and passing lanes on winding roads make it unsafe and terrifying to be on foot anywhere in the Loop. Physical barriers like sidewalks — or alternatives such as multi-use paths, paved shoulders, flex posts, bollards, setback trails, curb extensions, raised crosswalks, or even guardrails in key areas — would create the separation and protection our community urgently needs.
With a new Community Centre on the horizon and more families choosing to call the Sambro Loop home, now is the moment to rethink how our roads function. Safer Steps Sambro Loop is working with residents, HRM, the Province, and local partners to improve how people move through and between our communities — advocating for safer roads, traffic-calming, slower speed limits, continuous sidewalks, and better crossings that make walking, rolling, and driving safer and more comfortable for everyone.
But this campaign goes beyond infrastructure. Reimagining our streets is about connection, accessibility, and pride — creating a community where people can move confidently, attend events, visit neighbours, support local businesses, and enjoy everything our towns have to offer.
We’re gathering experiences and ideas from across the Loop to help shape the future of our roads. Your stories matter — from near-misses, to places you avoid, to changes you want to see.
Join us in building a safer, more connected Sambro Loop.
Share your ideas, stories, or time at saferstepssambro@gmail.com or complete the webform below. We can’t wait to hear from you.
We are focusing on:
Pinpointing where sidewalks, crosswalks, and intersections can make the biggest impact
advocating for improved road safety measures for pedestrians and drivers as the Province replaces the Motor Vehicle Act with the Traffic Safety Act
Use of thoughtful design to enhance safety, accessibility, and quality of life
Working with HRM planners to align local priorities with city initiatives like Sidewalks in Rural Community Centres, Rural Transit Grant Program Review, and placemaking projects
We imagine a Sambro Loop where people of all ages can walk, run, roll, and cycle safely to local destinations; where sidewalks link some of our most cherished spaces — the ball diamond, parks, Mishoos, St. James Church, Sambro Elementary School, the future Community Centre, and the Wharf; and where traffic moves calmly and predictably through our neighbourhood.
By connecting the places that connect us, we’re building a healthier, more vibrant Sambro Loop — one step at a time.
Our priorities (so far) include:
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Sidewalks That Connect Core destinations
Extend sidewalks from the Ball Diamond all the way to St. James Church, connecting past Sambro Elementary School for safe school and family travel.
Add sidewalks from Ketch Harbour Road at Old Sambro Road up to the Government Wharf, improving access for residents, businesses, and visitors.
These routes form the backbone of Sambro’s walkable future — linking the places that define our daily lives.
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Crosswalks That Bring Us Together
Install crosswalks between the future Community Centre (former Fire Hall) and the Ball Diamond, creating safe access during events and fundraisers.
Add flashing-light crosswalks at West Pennant Road and Old Sambro Road and at Ketch Harbour Road and Old Sambro Road, connecting sidewalks and improving visibility.
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Intersections That Calm and Protect
Establish a three-way stop at West Pennant Road and Old Sambro Road, reducing speeds and improving safety at one of Sambro’s busiest junctions.
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Reduced speed limits
Reducing speed limits to 60km MAX around the entire loop. Our roads are winding, narrow, and full of blind curves — even those of us who drive them daily know how quickly conditions can shift. A lower speed limit helps both familiar and unfamiliar drivers navigate the Loop more safely and gives pedestrians a greater sense of security on roads that currently offer little room for error.
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Removing passing lanes at windy stretches
On winding, hilly roads like ours, passing lanes can encourage sudden speed changes and risky manoeuvres — especially in areas with limited visibility. Removing them helps create a calmer, more predictable flow of traffic, making the road safer for everyone behind the wheel and everyone walking alongside it.
How to get involved and make a difference
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Join the working group
Send an email to saferstepssambro@gmail.com to join the working group that will meet with HRM councillors, city staff and community members, businesses and partners to identify areas of concern and opportunity.
The first meeting is taking place virtually on Thursday, December 4 @ 6:30pm Atlantic time. RSVP today! -
Have your say!
Do you have a story about a near-miss or area that brings you more fear than freedom? Let us know so we can include it in our communications. Complete the web form or send an email.
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Attend the community meeting
A community meeting is tentatively planned for early 2026, with HRM city staff presenting Rural Sidewalk Program options, assessment findings and other pertinent updates. The date, time and location will be shared as soon as it is finalized.
Folks from the Hubbards Streetscape Project will also be on-hand to share their experiences and how it transformed the town.
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Get social with us
Help us spread the word and solicit stories, opinions and experiences to make Sambro a safer place to be on foot. Find us on Instagram @safersstepssambro - and you’ll soon find us on other platforms.
We’ll share upcoming events and announcements there, too!
Have your say in how and where you’d like to see Sambro streets made safer.
Do you have a story to share or a particular area that’s cause for concern? Let us know!
Our goal is to understand exactly where and how the community can be improved, connected and made safer for everyone - on foot or wheels.
Want to join our working group? Be sure to include that in your note!