The National Complete Streets Coalition regularly works with our members and other advocates to influence policy at all levels: federal, state, and local. Read on about the current campaigns: what’s happening, who’s involved, how to help, and who to contact.

Los Angeles, CA

Policy Info: The Green L.A. Transportation Working Group (GLATWG) began to focus complete streets in early 2009. While the City is required by law (.pdf) to include complete streets in its next general plan update, the GLATWG is working to encourage more action now. The City’s Planning and Transportation Departments prepared a report detailing how LA could implement the law mostly focused on pilot projects that have added bicycle and pedestrian facilities in some areas of the City. While many of the pilot projects are excellent, GLATWG does not feel LA’s efforts truly conform with the spirit of the law. They met with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to discuss their concerns in June 2009.

In August 2010, the LA County Bicycle Coalition requested the Mayor issue a directive to all roadway engineers and department heads to abide by the Complete Streets standards set in state law and require staff to attend training sessions.

Get Involved: The Green L.A. Transportation Working Group meets monthly on the second Tuesday of each month from 2 pm to 4 pm. Check in with them to confirm meeting location and find out how to help!

State of Connecticut

Policy Info: Senate Bill 735 was introduced by the Joint Committee on Transportation in January 2009 and was singed into law (Public Act 09-154 [.pdf]) by Governor Rell on July 4. In recent months, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign has asked ConnDOT Commissioner Joe Marie to “fill in the gaps” of the new legislation by designating at least 10% of HSIP and CMAQ funds to generate a larger number of projects that will improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Get Involved: Several organizations teamed up to advocate for this bill, including the Tri-State Transportation Campaign and the Central Connecticut Bicycle Alliance.

State of Hawaii

Policy Info: On May 6, Governor Linda Lingle signed S.B. 718 into law. Act 054, the Complete Streets law, requires the Hawaii DOT and the Counties to establish policies to accommodate all users of the road, no matter age, ability, or mode of transportation. Additionally, it creates a statewide task force to review existing state and county highway design standards and guidelines and propose changes to procedures and design manuals. Their final report is due to the State legislature prior to its convening in 2011.

Get Involved: To become involved in the implementation of Act 054 and other activities that support complete streets in the islands, contact the One Voice Coalition.

State of Indiana

Policy Info: HB 1182 (Complete Streets), introduced by Rep. Nancy Dembowski, passed he House 91-4, but failed to receive a hearing in the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Transportation & Veterans Affairs. As a result, it is highly unlikely to see any further action this session. The bill would have directed the Indiana DOT to report annually on the steps taken and progress made in developing and implementing complete streets guidelines at the state level.

Get Involved: Though action on the state level is unlikely, supporters of complete streets - including Health by Design, AARP Indiana, and Bicycle Indiana - will continue to work for policies at the local level. Check in with Health by Design for detailed updates. Follow Bicycle Indiana on Twitter or join the Facebook group for other campaign updates.

State of Kentucky

Policy Info: The Kentucky Safe Routes to School State Network is working for Complete Streets policies in communities across the state and ensuring compliance of the state’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Travel policies.

Get Involved: Contact the State Network Organizer at kentucky@saferoutespartnership.org for ideas on what you can do to help.

State of Louisiana

Policy Info: The State Legislature passed a complete streets resolution (SCR 110 [.pdf]) in June 2009, which requested the formation of a Complete Streets Work Group within the Louisiana Department of Transportation, with members from the Louisiana offices of AARP, the American Planning Association, the American Society of Landscape Architects, and others. The Work Group developed an interim report (.pdf), which includes a complete streets policy for the Secretary of Transportation’s consideration, will be presented to the State legislature prior to its convening in 2011. Meanwhile, advocates pressed to amend existing state statutes to create safer streets fro bicyclists; the bill, HB 1137, was signed by Governor Jindal in June 2010.

Get Involved: Though the bulk of work required by the Legislature’s resolution is near completion, continued advocacy at all levels will be instrumental in the coming years. Check in with the above organizations for more information.

State of Michigan

Policy Info: AARP, the League of Michigan Bicyclists, and the Michigan Environmental Council formed a statewide coalition, the Michigan Complete Streets Coalition to work for state and local adoption and implementation of complete streets policies. Two resolutions in support of complete streets passed the House in early June 2010. These resolutions were a precursor to the bills introduced in May, which have also been moving ahead. The Complete Streets bills (HB 6151 and HB 6152) passed the Michigan House in late June.

Get Involved: To get involved, check out the Michigan Complete Streets Coalition’s website, where they list a number of actions you can take, including contacting your legislators, writing to your local newspaper, and sharing complete streets information with friends and family. The Coalition urges residents to contact their representatives to support both bills.

Lansing, MI

Policy Info: Walk and Bike Lansing launched its complete streets campaign on May 16. City Council approved the ordinance in late August. In the coming months and years, it is important to keep up the momentum and press for implementation of the ordinance.

Get Involved: There are many ways you can help Walk and Bike Lansing ensure implementation of the ordinance. Be sure to check out their Frequently Asked Questions page on what this ordinance means for residents and visitors.

Media: Lansing City Pulse - “Pedal Politics” - August 5, 2009; Lansing State Journal - Letter to the Editor - August 6, 2009

State of Minnesota

Policy Info: On February 8, Senator Tony Lourey and Representative Mike Obermueller introduced Bills SF 2461 and HF 2801 into their respective chambers. The complete streets language was successfully amended onto the Senate Transportation Policy Omnibus bill (SF 2540), which was signed by Governor Pawlenty on May 15.

A legislature-mandated on the benefits, costs, and feasibility of a complete streets policy from Minnesota Department of Transportation was presented in December 2009. The final report is available now. Commissioner Sorel has committed MnDOT to implement complete streets. An external advisory group to advise staff on a transition work plan is being assembled. MnDOT recently released its Complete Streets Work Plan (.docx), outlining the various steps needed to integrate complete streets into everyday practice.

Get Involved: The Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition - a growing collaboration of individuals and groups across the state - formed in July 2009 to work toward a strong statewide policy and ongoing implementation of policies in all jurisdictions. The Coalition has identified a number of ways both individuals and organizations can support complete streets at the DOT and in communities across the state.

State of Missouri

Policy Info: State Senator Joan Bray introduced complete streets legislation in the Missouri Senate (SB 720) in January. The language is identical to that of last year’s House bill, which had wide support in the House and was incorporated into the year’s transportation omnibus bill until the final stages. The House Transportation Committee passed the Complete Streets Resolution (HCR 67), introduced by Rep. Sutherland, with a 12-2 vote on April 20. A March 30 hearing on the resolution featured plenty of testimony in support of the bill, with representation from the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation, Great Rivers Greenway, American Heart Association, and disability advocacy organization Paraquad.

Get Involved: Join up with the Missouri Bicycle Federation to continue working on the state campaign and on other complete streets initiatives across the state.

State of New Jersey

Policy Info: A coalition of advocates - the Tri-State Transportation Campaign,  New Jersey Future, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, AARP New Jersey, Disability Rights New Jersey, and Environment NJ - called for a statewide complete streets policy. The New Jersey Department of Transportation responded to their call, adopting a complete streets policy (.pdf) on December 10. Advocates will continue to monitor NJ DOT’s implementation.

Get Involved: New Jersey Future’s Jay Corbalis and the Tri-State Transportation Campaign’s Zoe Baldwin are contacts for more information.

State of New York

Policy Info: A number of advocates, including AARP New York and the New York Bicycling Coalition, are working toward a statewide complete streets law. Last spring, Assembly Bill 8587 was introduced by Assembly Transportation Committee Chair David Gantt (D-Rochester) and cosponsored by Assemblyman Dinowitz (D-Bronx). At the same time, Senate Transportation Committee Chair Martin Dilan (D-Brooklyn) introduced S. 5711 to the Senate, with Senator Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) as cosponsor. With heightened attention from New York AARP’s highly successful “Complete Streets Week: Making New York Walkable for All Generations” in April 2010, momentum in Albany resumed. On April 27, the Senate Transportation Committee passed the bill. The next day, Acting NYS DOT Commissioner Stanley Gee stated that he “strongly supports Complete Streets.”

The State Senate overwhelmingly passed their bill in June 2010. However, as the end of legislative session draws nearer, the Assembly’s bill must still pass through the Ways and Means Committee and then see a full floor vote. New Yorkers are urged to contact the chair of the Ways and Means Committee, as well as their own Assembly members - an easy task with this online form.

Get Involved: The New York Bicycling Coalition, AARP New York, Green Options Buffalo, and the Tri-State Transportation Campaign are leading the campaign and can direct you to the best ways to help. NYBC has a full page of complete streets resources, including news, talking points, and more. Encourage your Assembly members to support the bill via Tri-State’s quick online form.

State of Texas

Policy Info: Representative Armando “Mando” Martinez (D-Weslaco) introduced House Bill 2883 in March 2009. It was referred to the House Committee on Transportation, but has yet to be considered.

Get Involved: If you’re in the 39th District, please contact Rep. Martinez and thank him for his leadership in this issue. Please contact the Committee on Transportation members, urging them to consider the bill. While the bill is not one of their priorities during this legislative session, the Texas Bicycle Coalition is supportive and working with Rep. Martinez to improve the bill.

Dallas, TX

Policy Info: Following the “Dallas Bikes to City Hall” event in October 2009, complete streets has gained currency. A pending update to the city’s bike plan will outline how bicyclists and other users can be systematically included in transportation projects. It will also look to develop connections between transit services and bicycling. In recent public meetings, “complete streets” have consistently topped residents’ stated priorities.

Get Involved: Check in with various area blogs for more information: Biking in Dallas, Friends of the Katy Trail, Bike Friendly Oak Cliff

State of Vermont

Policy Info: AARP Vermont launched a statewide project called Transporting the Public, which will identify ways to provide transportation choices to all Vermonters. As part of this project, AARP Vermont and other organizations are backing a complete streets bill in the state legislature. Bill H. 741, introduced by eleven Representatives, strengthens existing statutes related to state highways, adds complete streets language to the codified statement of policy, and requires a report from the Vermont Agency on Transportation detailing its implementation progress. Despite a strong showing of support, the House Transportation Committee voted down the bill. Advocates are likely to push the bill’s introduction (and adoption!) next session.

Get Involved: For more information, contact Jennifer Wallace-Brodeur at AARP by calling 866-227-7451 or emailing vt [at] aarp [dot] org

Montpelier, VT

Policy Info: The Montpelier Planning Commission heard a presentation on Complete Streets and gave concept approval to Complete Streets policy in early 2009. Going Green L3C, working for the Montpelier Bikes project, is working with city staff to draft a policy for formal adoption. Mayor Mary Hooper, an active bicyclist, has also given her preliminary support to the campaign.

Get Involved: The Montpelier Bikes project is the lead organization in promoting this policy. Montpelier Bikes is particularly interested in connecting with other small cities working on Complete Streets. Montpelier’s population is approximately 8,000 residents.

State of Washington

Policy Info: House Bill 2911, introduced on January 18, 2010, establishes a grant program within the Washington DOT to incentivize complete streets ordinances at the local level. It also directs the DOT to apply context-sensitive solutions, as outlined in the ITE/CNU Context Sensitive Solutions in Designing Major Urban Thoroughfares for Walkable Communities, to state highways within city limits throughout the state. The bill was introduced by Representative Jim Moeller, and garnered a long list of co-sponsors from rural and urban districts. A short session, however, meant the bill did not move out of committee. Supporters plan to continue talking up the issue in hopes of a bill next year.

Get Involved: The bill was spearheaded by the Transportation Choices Coalition; joining their alert list will keep you up to date.

Spokane, WA

Policy Info: Complete Streets Spokane, coalition of local advocates, is developing a complete streets policy campaign. The group cites a number of reasons to pursue a policy, including safety, health, economic development, and improved livability. Their efforts, along with support from several Council members, resulted in the adoption of a resolution (.pdf) on April 5. The resolution authorizes the city to take the next steps in developing a complete streets policy.

Get Involved: Complete Streets Spokane held its first organizing meeting to discuss their complete streets campaign on January 13, 2010. Be sure to join their Complete Streets Notices list to keep up to date, as well as the Facebook group. Residents may want to speak with their neighborhood councils about the benefits of complete streets.

State of West Virginia

Policy Info: Delegates Guthrie (D-Kanawha), Klempa (D-Ohio), Ennis (D-Brooke),  Ferro (D-Marshall), and Martin (D-Putnam) introduced House Bill 4154 in January 2010. The bill will give bicycle and pedestrian ways “full consideration in the planning and development” of state roads and require their inclusion in construction and reconstruction of all state roads in or within one mile of an urban area. It was referred to the Committee on Roads and Transportation, but has yet to move out of committee. A week earlier, Delegate Guthrie had introduced broader legislation, House Bill 2917, which added “transit ways” to required planning and construction; applied to more projects; and created new positions within local governments to help the state DOT work more closely with communities.

Get Involved: Please send your thanks to Delegate Guthrie and contact the members of the Committee on Roads and Transportation to show your support.

Driftless Region of Wisconsin/Minnesota

Policy Info: With state laws passed in both Wisconsin and Minnesota, the Driftless Region Bicycle Coalition (DRBC), along with its partners, is launching a Complete Streets campaign in the Driftless Region of Western Wisconsin and Eastern Minnesota. Their goal is to have every county and incorporated community pass Complete Streets ordinances to cover streets that fall outside of the state laws.

Get Involved: Find more information about the campaign and how you and your organization can help by visiting the campaign’s website.

Know of a campaign that’s not listed here? Tell us about it by using our contact form or emailing info [at] completestreets [dot] org!