Complete Streets
Basics
Which Places Got Complete Streets Policies Right in 2014?
Complete streets policies have proliferated rapidly in American cities and towns over the last few years. A total of 712 jurisdictions nationwide -- counties, cities, suburbs, even transit agencies -- now have complete streets resolutions or ordinances that codify an approach to street design that serves people who walk, bike, and ride transit. In the last year, an additional 70 American cities and towns joined the list, according to the National Complete Streets Coalition.
February 10, 2015
Vote to Decide the Best Urban Street Transformation of 2014
If you're searching for reasons to feel positive about the future, the street transformations pictured below are a good start. Earlier this month we asked readers to send in their nominations for the best American street redesigns of 2014. These five are the finalists selected by Streetsblog staff. They include new car-free zones, substantial sidewalk expansions, superb bike infrastructure, awesome safety upgrades, and exclusive transit lanes.
December 17, 2014
Complete Streets Engineer and Intern Run Over on a Columbus Sidewalk
In an extraordinarily sad irony, the engineer in charge of Columbus, Ohio's complete streets program has been gravely injured in a car crash. His 21-year-old intern was killed.
December 16, 2014
To Make Streets Safer, Michigan DOT Takes the Pedestrian’s Perspective
A lot of state transportation departments talk the talk when it comes to designing streets that are safe for everyone. But Michigan -- forgive the pun -- is literally walking the walk.
May 6, 2014
The Best Complete Streets Policies of 2013
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.
February 18, 2014
A Bill to Make American Streets Safer Surfaces in the Senate
Has the moment finally arrived for a national complete streets law?
February 7, 2014
Imagining a Healthier Transportation System for Michigan
What would a more sustainable transportation system look like for the Detroit region? Or Michigan at large?
November 6, 2013
500+ Complete Streets Policies in Place, But Not the Most Important One
This week, complete streets advocates came together in Washington, DC, to celebrate the passage of the 500th complete streets policy. That happened in Memphis more than seven months ago, but perhaps the delay in marking the occasion was fortuitous: There are now at least 25 more policies to celebrate.
August 16, 2013
Passing a Law Is the Easy Part: The Challenge of Building Complete Streets
If Ontario Street in Cleveland, Ohio, is any indication, a complete streets policy is no guarantee you'll get a safe place to ride a bike, or even a comfortable place to walk.
July 11, 2013
Bipartisan Bill Would Make Complete Streets the National Standard
Nearly 500 cities, states, and counties around the United States have enacted complete streets policies, according to Smart Growth America. Now a bipartisan team of lawmakers has introduced legislation to make it a matter of national policy that streets should be designed not only for driving, but for walking, biking, and transit as well.
June 21, 2013