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 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.
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 out of the Roads and Transportation Committee by a vote of 10-2 on January 27, with significant amendments to the original proposed language. However, the many groups involved in the effort - AARP Indiana, American Planning Association - Indiana, Bicycle Indiana, Hoosier Environmental Council, and Health by Design - remain excited about the bill. The current language directs the Indiana DOT to report annually on the steps taken and progress made in developing and implementing complete streets guidelines at the state level. The bill also explicitly defines a “user” as a motorist, pedestrian, bicyclist, or transit passenger.
Get Involved: Now that the bill will move on to the full House floor, it is crucial that residents reach out to all Representatives and talk up the benefits of complete streets. Asking your own elected officials, friends, family, and colleagues to do the same will help ensure no legislator votes no on the bill simply because he or she was uninformed of its importance.
Check in with Health by Design for detailed updates. Follow Bicycle Indiana on Twitter or join the Facebook group for campaign updates.
State of Louisiana
Policy Info: The State Legislature passed a complete streets resolution (SCR 110 [.pdf]) on June 25, 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 was tasked with developing complete streets guidelines that will apply to any state- or federally-funded transportation project. Their interim report (.pdf), which includes a complete streets policy for the Secretary of Transportation’s consideration, is now available, and will be presented to the State legislature prior to its convening in 2011.
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 Maine
Policy Info: The Climate and Energy Planning Act, LD 1333, was introduced in the Maine legislature on March 31. The Act contained complete streets provisions that direct any transportation projects receiving state or federal funding to fully consider bicycle and pedestrian ways and intermodal connections that link bicyclists and pedestrians with public transportation facilities. However, during negotiations, much of the Act’s language was stripped out, including the complete streets provision.
Get Involved: The Bicycle Coalition of Maine has led complete streets efforts, including language in the above bill. Their website has extensive information about the bill and why its goals are important for Maine.
State of Michigan
Policy Info: The League of Michigan Bicyclists and the Michigan Environmental Council have formed a new statewide coalition, the Michigan Complete Streets Coalition, which will work for state and local adoption and implementation of complete streets policies. In December 2009, Rep. Jon Switalski (D-25) introduced a resolution expressing support for active transportation infrastructure to promote walking and bicycling and to prevent childhood obesity. The resolution contains language urging county and local road agencies to follow complete streets principles. Rep. Pam Byrnes also introduced a companion House Concurrent Resolution.
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 resolutions.
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: The Minnesota Legislature directed the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to examine the costs, benefits, and feasibility of establishing a statewide complete streets policy; the final report is available now. MnDOT Commissioner Sorel has spoken up in support of a state-level complete streets policy, and the Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition is actively working with MnDOT on state legislation and internal policy changes. Sen. Steve Murphy, chair of the Transportation Committee, included a statewide complete streets program in his key issues for the upcoming legislative session.
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 help the cause.
State of Missouri
Policy Info: Despite strong showings at key junctures from citizens and organizations across the state who support a complete streets law, the state legislature did not to include complete streets provisions in its major transportation bill in 2009. The Complete Streets provision, unanimously supported by the House Transportation Committee, was included all transportation omnibus bills from that chamber but not in the final transportation bill.
Get Involved: Join up with the Missouri Bicycle Federation to regroup for a state campaign and to work 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.
Media: The Tri-State Transportation Campaign blogged about the need for a complete streets policy, including images of dangerous roadways in the state. They also jointly issued a press release with statements from all the coalition members. The Ashbury Park Press picked up the story. On October 17, the New Jersey Star-Ledger called a complete streets policy in the state “a sound idea.”
The Record reported on the policy’s adoption, interviewing NJ DOT’s Shiree Davis and TSTC’s Baldwin. TSTC blogged about the policy, and noted its concern with a particularly broad policy exception.
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. On May 29, 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. Though issues in the NYS Senate postponed most legislative actions, the New York Bicycling Coalition and others have not given up on a Complete Streets bill, and plan to introduce new language in coming months.
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.
Media: The Albany Times Union reported on various events related to Bike to Work Month, including the growing push for complete streets. Buffalo Rising wrote about the bill’s introduction, citing that 40% of New Yorkers do not have a driver’s license and 25% of all households do not own a motor vehicle.
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.
Get Involved: Check in with verious area blogs for more information: Biking in Dallas, Friends of the Katy Trail
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.
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 has already garnered a long list of co-sponsors from rural and urban districts.
Get Involved: The bill was spearheaded by the Transportation Choices Coalition; joining their alert list will keep you up to date. If your representative sits on the House Committee on Transportation, you should ask him/her to support the bill (or send thanks if already signed on).
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 could capitalize on growing political will. New council member Jon Snyder spoke to the Pacific Northwest Inlander about his transportation goals for the city, including a complete streets policy. “It costs the city money not having this complete streets policy,” he said.
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: Delegate Guthrie (D-Kanawha) introduced House Bill 2025 in February 2009. It was referred to the Committee on Roads and Transportation, but has yet to move out of committee.
Get Involved: Please send your thanks to Delegate Guthrie and contact the members of the Committee on Roads and Transportation to show your support.
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!
