Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
More than communities, states, counties and planning agencies adopted complete streets policies in 2013, according to Smart Growth America, which tracked their approximate locations.
More than 80 communities, states, counties and planning agencies adopted complete streets policies in 2013, according to Smart Growth America.
More than communities, states, counties and planning agencies adopted complete streets policies in 2013, according to Smart Growth America, which tracked their approximate locations.

A growing number places are adopting policies to create safe space on the streets no matter how you get around. This year 80 new complete streets policies were passed by municipalities, states, counties, and planning agencies around the United States looking to make walking and biking safer. That brings the total number of such policies in the nation to more than 600.

Complete streets policies are also getting better compared to earlier iterations, according to a new report from Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition. The way current policies are being written and enacted is much more likely to ensure strong results.

So what makes a complete streets policy great? SGA ranked the best policies enacted in 2013 according to 10 criteria, including "vision" and the strength of performance metrics, among other factors.

It's important to have an implementation plan with teeth, or else a complete streets policy won't make much of a difference. Karen Mendrala, a livability planner for Fort Lauderdale, said her city compared every existing street to its standards for complete streets. The idea is to systematically identify all the gaps in the city's walking and biking networks -- and fix them.

Fort Lauderdale also developed a design manual, another key element recognized by SGA, which stresses the importance of recognizing modern design guidelines for multi-modal streets (NACTO's street designs guide comes to mind; AASHTO's Green Book does not).

According to the SGA system, the best new complete streets policies last year were enacted by:

The number of city, state and regional complete streets policies is now up to 610 nationwide, according to Smart Growth America.
The number of city, state and regional complete streets policies is now up to 610 nationwide. Graphic: Smart Growth America
The number of city, state and regional complete streets policies is now up to 610 nationwide, according to Smart Growth America.
    1. Littleton, Massachusetts
    2. Peru, Indiana
    3. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
    4. Auburn, Maine (tie)
    5. Lewiston, Maine (tie)
    6. Baltimore County, Maryland
    7. Portsmouth, New Hampshire
    8. Muscatine, Iowa
    9. Piqua, Ohio
    10. Oakland, California

Piqua scored points for passing a policy that all street interventions -- not just road reconstruction or resurfacing -- bring the project area into compliance with complete streets standards. Complete streets policies that only apply to new construction or are ambiguous about what projects they apply to get docked in SGA's rating system.

SGA says the best policies also establish standards and procedures for granting exemptions. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation scored points for its handling of this issue. If a project in Massachusetts doesn't meet the state's complete streets standards, it can't continue without approval from the secretary of the DOT, the state's top transportation official.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Advocates: Congress Must Stop Trump From Illegally Holding Back Sustainable Transportation Bucks

Congress has a chance to restore order, seize back their power of the purse, and stop Trump from "pocket-rescinding" hundreds of millions for good transportation projects.

September 26, 2025

Friday Video: You Should Care That Your Car Is Spying On You

Yes, every device we own is probably harvesting our data. But the car might be the worst offender.

September 26, 2025

The State of Friday’s Headlines

Transit agencies from Rhode Island to San Francisco are facing budget shortfalls as a variety of factors create a perfect storm.

September 26, 2025

Revitalizing Cities With Small-Scale Manufacturing

One Rust Belt city is pursuing an innovative strategy to attract economic development and enhance urban livability.

September 26, 2025

The Real Reason the Far Right is Demanding Action on Transportation Violence

A series of brutal deaths on U.S. roads and trains is sparking outrage on the far right – and a push for some disturbing policy solutions that will only make our country more violent.

September 25, 2025

Everyone to Congress: Stand Up and Fight for the Infrastructure Funding You Allocated (And Your Constituents Need)

"The president has made it clear that programs outside the administration’s narrow vision for transportation will not be faithfully implemented," advocates said this week — and it's time for congress to stand up and defend their will.

September 25, 2025
See all posts