The Problem
Communities around the country have built many miles of streets and roads that are unsafe for people traveling by foot, bicycle or taking transit. These roadways often lack sidewalks, crosswalks, space for bicyclists, and make no room for transit riders and no accommodation for people with disabilities. We need to provide people with transportation choices in order to get to work, school, shops and medical visits, and to take part in social, civic and volunteer activities.
We need to change old road building habits so that road projects consistently take into account the needs of everyone using the roads. By completing our road network for all travelers, we will improve safety, help reduce automobile emissions, and provide opportunities for physical activity. Safe, multi-modal streets in business districts also become engines for economic revitalization.
| Take action today! Contact your member of Congress using our quick and easy form letter to show your support for making our streets safe and accessible to people of all ages and abilities. If your Senator or Representative has already signed on to the bill, you’ll be able to send a letter of thanks. |
The Solution
Complete streets are streets that work for all users, not just those using a car. Instituting a complete streets policy ensures that transportation agencies routinely design and operate the entire right of way to enable safe access for drivers, transit users and vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists, as well as for older people, children, and people with disabilities. More than 100 jurisdictions spanning all regions of the country have adopted complete streets policies through legislation, internal agency policies, and design manuals.
The Complete Streets Act of 2009
The National Complete Streets Coalition, working with allies, urges Congress to adopt the Complete Streets Act of 2009 (S. 584, H.R. 1443), introduced in March by Senator Tom Harkin [IA] and Congresswoman Doris Matsui [CA-5]. This bill defines effective complete streets policies that are flexible enough to use in daily transportation planning practice. It directs state DOTs and MPOs to adopt such policies within two years of enactment of the bill and apply the policies to upcoming federally funded transportation projects. The bill directs the US Department of Transportation to develop a mechanism to ensure compliance with the bill and to report to Congress on what State DOTs and MPOs are doing to adopt and implement complete streets policies in accordance with the bill. States that do not comply would have a small percentage of their State’s surface transportation funds directed towards safety projects. The bill also updates current federal code on bicycle and pedestrian accommodation and authorizes needed research and data collection, technical assistance, and dissemination of complete streets best practices.
Many national and local leaders have spoken out in support of the bill (.pdf). Our ‘On the Hill‘ page provides more detail on what’s currently happening, as well as the many ways you can help. We offer many supporting documents in the ‘Federal Policy Resources‘ section, and have links to various articles and testimony supportive of the bill in the ‘News & Links‘ section.
