Complete Streets
Definition of Complete Street
 The streets of our cities and towns
ought to be for everyone, whether young or old, motorist or bicyclist, walker or
wheelchair user, bus rider or shopkeeper. But too many of our streets are
designed only for speeding cars, or worse, creeping traffic jams. They’re unsafe
for people on foot or bike — and unpleasant for everybody.
Now, in communities across the country,
a movement is growing to complete the streets. States, cities and towns are
asking their planners, engineers and designers to build road networks that
welcome all citizens.
COMPLETE STREETS are designed and
operated to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists
and bus riders of all ages and abilities are able to safely move along and
across a complete street.
Iowa Status
Iowa currently has two complete streets
policies. The City of Cascade passed the first
resolution at a city council meeting. The Johnson
County Council of Governments passed a similar policy at a Urbanized Policy
Board meeting. The City of Iowa City has passed a complete streets
policy that now includes transit. Iowa currently does not have a complete streets policy at
the DOT level, but has a guidance that requires proof of bicycle traffic prior
to accommodation.
Policy Examples
Chicago’s Complete Streets Policy
The safety and convenience of all users of the transportation system
including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, freight, and motor vehicle
drivers shall be accommodated and balanced in all types of transportation and
development projects and through all phases of a project so that even the most
vulnerable–children, elderly, and persons with disabilities–can travel safely
within the public right of way.
Johnson County Council of Governments (Iowa City,
Iowa)
All new roadway projects, or major
reconstruction projects (not including maintenance), funded in whole or part
by JCCOG under this policy shall accommodate travel by pedestrians and
bicyclists, except where:
-
Bicyclists and pedestrians are prohibited by
law (such as interstate highways).
-
The cost would be excessively disproportionate
to the need or probable use (at least 20% of overall project cost)
All exceptions to the 'Complete Streets policy'
would be considered by the JCCOG Urbanized Area Policy Board at the time said
projects were considered for funding, or during project development.
Resources
Safe Streets for Chicago
Complete Streets National Campaign
Thunderhead
Alliance Complete Streets Campaign
Contact Information
For more information contact
Mark
Wyatt, Iowa Bicycle Coalition, 515-309-2867 |
