The transport body is reviewing the 60km/h speed limit in the area, amid concern from residents who fear a major accident is waiting to happen.

And the review has led a prominent Melbourne University transport academic to call for lower speed limits of 30km/h across all of Melbourne.

The mostly residential area under review in Brunswick East is bordered by a few cafes, a pub, shops and a primary school. It is also home to the popular CERES Environment Park.

As part of the review, residents are being surveyed, and asked to consider three options: retaining the 60km/h speed limit with the school zone time limits; introducing permanent 50km/h limits; or bringing in a permanent 40km/h zone.

A VicRoads regional director, Vince Punaro, said the review was the result of community concerns about safety, in particular near a local primary school.

"The survey has been running for a week, and already around 700 responses have been received," he said.

The proposal, for Nicholson Street between Blyth and Holmes streets, seems to have the support of most residents and traders along the street.

Long-term resident Brian Bailey said the area had three school crossings, and Brunswick East Primary School was located close to a bend, creating a blind spot for drivers "flying past".

"We live two doors down from the school, and we see near-misses at least four or five times a week," Mr Bailey said.

Awkward Mikes cafe co-owner Andrew Dupes said he supported lowering the speed limit to 40km/h because it would make it easier for people to navigate around the area.

"I am very surprised nothing major has happened," Mr Dupes said.

"There is a lot of construction around here, a lot of apartments being built. A majority of the truck drivers just fly through ...[it] is a really busy intersection. To see trucks go through the intersection like that is spine-tingling."

James Neagle has been managing the Lomond Hotel, on the corner of Blyth and Nicholson streets, for 31 years. He is in favour of reducing the speed to 50km/h.

Last year, Public Transport Victoria relocated the route 96 tram stop on Nicholson Street to north of Blyth Street to create an accessible "super-stop".

Mr Neagle said the super-stop had narrowed Nicholson Street, but the Blyth and Nicholson streets intersection had always been a "horrible" corner. "There have always been a lot of crashes," he said.

However, resident Mark Colaizzi, who has been living in the area for six years, and works as a courier, said the change would only slow things down.

The move has also attracted a small number of protesters on social media, with one commentator saying children should be taught to be more careful around cars.

Moreland Bicycle User Group convenor Nic Dolby said a lower speed limit would make the area – which does not have a dedicated bike path – safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

John Stone, Melbourne University senior lecturer in transport planning, welcomed the proposal, saying it was also time to debate lowering speed limits in residential streets to 30km/h across the city.

"We have had 50 years of  thinking about roads primarily as places to move as many cars as possible," Dr Stone said. "But clearly our roads, and this one in particular, are residential streets.

Dr Stone said VicRoads "really have to think about places where people live ... making it much more safer ... and pleasant for people to think about using active transport – walking, cycling. All of those things will be supported by bringing the speed limit down."

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