Transport and Main Roads is seeking a "communication specialist" to educate the public about the need for, and benefit of, reduced speed limits in areas of high pedestrian and cyclist activity, and crashes.

Lower speeds for vehicles reduced the risk of crashes with pedestrians and cyclists, and reduced the severity of crashes, a government tender said.

"However, public attitudes toward lower speed limits can deter road authorities from introducing speed limits that would provide greater protection to these vulnerable road users," it says.

"This can be true even in areas where crash data demonstrates a history of crashes where lower travelling speeds could have mitigated crashes and severity of trauma."

A Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman confirmed the department planned to liaise with road authorities to determine suitable trial locations to lower speed limits in areas of high risk for pedestrians and cyclists.

"At this point in time, further consultation is required to determine locations for this initiative," she said.

The department did not answer questions about how many locations would be involved, the length of the trial, the proposed speed reduction, whether it could be rolled out elsewhere after the trial and whether the program would include advertising.

A communication specialist would be asked to provide tool kits to help road authorities educate the public, including addressing speed limit reductions in a single strip road environment and also in an area of "multiple roads", such as a city centre.

In 2017, pedestrians and cyclists accounted for about 17 per cent of all Queensland road fatalities, with 35 pedestrians and eight cyclists killed.

"Crashes involving vulnerable road users are less likely to result in death or serious injury where speed limits are set to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians," the department spokeswoman said.

"Lower speed limits mean more reaction time for drivers and decrease stopping distances and impact forces."

The Queensland Speed Conversation report, from 2017, flagged lowering travelling speeds in areas that were frequented by pedestrians and bicycle riders to increase safety.

The Queensland Cycling Action Plan 2017-2019 said the government would investigate reducing speed limits on state-controlled roads in areas of high pedestrian and cycling activity to increase safety for vulnerable road users.

Slower speeds to protect cyclists and pedestrians has also previously been mooted by Brisbane's Greens councillor Jonathan Sri, who in August called for his Gabba ward to have a blanket speed limit of 40km/h.

Earlier this month, cyclists staged a "die-in" protest near the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital, calling for improved bike safety.