Success with petitioning City Council?

Has anyone had success posing a non-controversial problem to the City Council via the 3 min allowance and then the City fixing it?

Long story short, the city installed speed bumps on a popular route that cuts between two major streets. Now, drivers are diverted and speed through our section of the neighborhood. There are no sidewalks, so everyone walks in the streets and kids play in the streets. Public works said our neighborhood group won't be considered for improvements for 4-years. I plan to go door to door to solicit support from my neighbors but want to know if anyone has had success before I waste my time.