engineering Complete Streets
T
he communities, businesses and states designated as bicycle-friendly are working to encourage active and livable streets for all users including: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities. A Complete Streets policy and guidance for implementation are vital to any bicycle-friendly effort and requires consideration of all modes of travel in every aspect of the transportation planning process. Bicyclists are at the core of this movement because Complete Streets mean more access, mobility and comfort. Cities, states and business rally behind Complete Streets because they mean improvements in sustainability, personal health and economic development. Creating Complete Streets calls for broad partnerships, sets good standards and builds strong communities.
for cars with little thought for cyclists and pedestrians,” said Ken Tippette, bicycle coordinator for Charlotte, N.C. “With the policy change, we’re seeing a citywide culture shift across the board from elected leaders, city staff, and ordinary citizens — everyone.” Charlotte’s implementation of creative transportation options like a light rail and bike racks on buses has energized constituents. The city receives calls from citizens wanting to know when their area gets bike lanes.
Bicyclists Take the Lead
It Takes the Whole Village
Bicyclists often lead the push for Complete Streets. “Their passion for improvements for cycling has the extra benefit of making roads better for everyone,” said Barbara McCann, executive director of the Complete Streets Coalition. Complete Streets policies are a great focal point for a community to organize around. “Before the policy went into place, it was business as usual. Streets were built
Charlotte, N.C. St. Louis, Mo.
Complete Streets benefit cyclists, pedestrians, transit users, people with disabilities, youth and older adults through better connected networks. Implementing a Complete Streets policy is best done by building partnerships with community partners. Complete street policies are being implemented nationwide as transportation agencies strive to improve. As numbers grow, policies build off
one another. “Our draft policy was primarily based on an ordinance passed by Ferguson, Mo.,” said John Kohler, the bicycle coordinator for St. Louis, Mo. “We reviewed ordinances adopted by several cities throughout the country and incorporated some language into our draft ordinance.” Seattle Children’s Hospital, a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Business, was a supporter of their city’s Complete Streets policy and went on to adopt a similar measure when the hospital was planning to expand their campus. “Seattle Children’s Hospital got the health and active living benefits from bicycling,” says Barbara Culp, former Bicycle Program Lead with the hospital. The hospital built trails and made connections internally and externally to enable people to move around the campus by foot or by bike. As a result they now see lower healthcare costs. “We see the importance of looking at the built
“With the policy change, we’re seeing a citywide culture shift across the board from elected leaders, city staff, and ordinary citizens. Every one.” Ken Tippette, Bicycle Coordinator, Charlotte, N.C. 16 AmericanBicyclist
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