Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In

Something important is happening in Memphis, Tennessee.

Out on the streets, the city has made progress on its plan to add 55 miles of bike lanes in two years, including the installation of some protected bike lanes. In addition, the state of Tennessee has been overhauling its transportation policies in a shift away from road expansion.

More change is coming. Anthony Siracusa at the Green Lane Project blog reports that Memphis Mayor A.C. Wharton has issued an executive order on complete streets that will require a big update of the city's street design practices:

Memphis has quickly become a municipal leader among Tennessee cities, rethinking transportation policies to focus more on providing safe places for people to walk and bike.  Among the opportunities afforded Memphis by its new Complete Streets policy is the chance to create a design guide that will provide public works, engineering, and a host of other divisions with brand new street design guidelines.

The policy says "the City of Memphis Department of Engineering shall partner with relevant Departments of City of Memphis and Shelby County Governments, the Memphis Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the Memphis and Shelby County Complete Streets Coalition to create a Street Design Manual for use in all city departments."  The city's new policy means Memphis will establish an entirely new blueprint to guide the creation of city streets, producing a document similar in scope to the City of Chicago's bikeway design guide.

The Executive Order comes at an ideal time for Memphis, as the city is positioned to develop a design guide that will stand among the most innovative in the country.

The news out of Memphis is evidence that progress toward safer, multi-modal streets is not limited to places like New York and Portland. The movement to bring city transportation policy into the 21st Century is increasingly broad-based.

Elsewhere on the Network today: The Kansas Cyclist reports a statewide tourism group is urging Governor Sam Brownback to expand bicycle trail development. California High Speed Rail blog says that Congressional Republicans are trying to block federal loans that would help fund a Los Angeles-to-Las Vegas rail corridor. And Bike Delaware shares anonymous advice from Beltway insiders to bicycle advocates shared at last week's Bike Summit.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Sec. Duffy Moves to Rescind Billions for ‘Woke’ Transportation on Feb. 18 — So Advocates Must Speak Up Now

The U.S. Transportation Secretary has promised to call on Congress to slash vast funding for climate and DEIA.

February 14, 2025

Friday’s Headlines Let There Be Light

Pedestrian deaths are most common at night and on multilane roads, according to AAA, and the most at risk are people who may not be able to afford cars.

February 14, 2025

Friday Video: How America Got Hooked on Cars

CNBC put together a solid 15-minute explainer on car dependency that's perfect for sending to anyone who's never thought about the role of automobility in their life.

February 14, 2025

Catch the Green Wave In NYC

Even the Times loves it.

February 14, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: The Cognitive Experience of a Transit User

Ren Yee of UN Studio on the cognitive workload of pedestrians and creating safe opportunities for mind wandering and absorbing information.

February 13, 2025
See all posts