Safe Routes to School & Complete Streets: Partnerships for Low-Income Communities

Partnering to Create a Complete Streets Policy

Mike Maisner

Vice President of Operations

Michigan Fitness Foundation

Roadways planned, designed and

constructed to accommodate safe

access for all users. Pedestrians,

bicyclists, motorists and transit riders

of all ages and abilities are able to

safely move along and across streets.

What are Complete Streets?

“Roads for all modes” -Deb Hubsmith, Director Safe Routes to School National Partnership

Components of Complete Streets

Complete Streets design may include such features as sidewalks, bike lanes, transit stops, intersection treatments, etc.

It involves:

A vision for how to connect a network

Street connectivity for all modes

Uses latest and best design standards

Applies to both new and retrofit projects

Why Complete Streets?

1/3 of Americans do not drive 21% of Americans are over 65 All children under 16 Many low income Americans cannot afford automobiles

20% of Americans have a disability that limits their daily activities. (Complete Streets feature curb cuts and other designs for disabled travelers. Complete Streets reduce isolation and dependence.)

73% of respondents stated that they would like to drive less and 66% stated that they would like more transportation options. -Transportation 4 America survey, March 2010

Why Complete Streets?

25% of walking trips take place on roads without sidewalks or shoulders.

Bike lanes lead to a 30-40% reduction in bike crashes.

Bike lanes are available for only about 5% of bike trips.

“It is dishonest to tell our citizens to walk, jog, or bicycle when there is no safe or welcoming place to pursue these life saving activities.” -Dr. Richard Jackson, Active Living Expert

Why Complete Streets?

Walking and bicycling help prevent obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and colon cancer.

Residents are 65% more likely to walk in a neighborhood with sidewalks.

Cleaner Environment

Enhanced Community Connections

Greater Social Equity

Increased Safety & Security

Stronger Local Economies

In addition to improved public health…

Community Benefits

OR

OR

Where Do You Want to Live?

Community design impacts physical activity levels

Transportation networks that include amenities such as sidewalks and bike lanes can increase the number of people who walk or bike by 30% and schools can see a 15% increase in students who walk or bike to school.

(Active Living Research, RWJF 2007)

OR

Community Design and Physical Activity

Safe Routes to School

Context Sensitive Solutions

Complete Streets

Walkable, Bikeable Communities

The Focus

There is no prescription for a complete street.

Urban Suburban Rural

Complete Streets = Active Infrastructure!

The Outcome

Complete Streets help create Safe Routes to School

What is a Complete Streets Policy?

A complete Streets policy ensures that the entire right of way is routinely designed and operated to enable safe access for all users.

Collaboration in Michigan

The Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan Coalition is comprised of executive-level decision makers from more than 110 organizations dedicated to reducing childhood obesity in Michigan through strategic policy initiatives. Complete Streets was identified as one of the coalition’s key policy priorities.

The Michigan Complete Streets Coalition was created to promote statewide Complete Streets policy and support initiatives in local communities. The project is led by the League of Michigan Bicyclists, Michigan Environmental Council, and AARP, with the support of numerous other organizations, businesses and individuals.

Policy Momentum in Michigan

State Resolution The State Legislature adopted a Complete Streets resolution drafted by the Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan Coalition. State Legislation House Bill 6151: requires MDOT to adopt a Complete Streets policy & work with locals. House Bill 6152: requires Complete Streets principles in local master plans. Both bills have been signed into law by the Governor.

Connections and Collaboration

Getting it Done: A challenging political environment (An election year and tremendous focus on significant state budget cuts). Less than three months from bill introduction to being signed into law by the Governor.

Keys to Success: Coalition building Getting all stakeholders on board Seeking out potential opposition and building consensus on the front end.

Promising Practices and Partnerships

Goal: Implement a Complete Streets Campaign to change transportation policy and design standards. Process: Whether advocating for state legislation or a city ordinance, the formula is the same . . . making connections and building consensus. Key Steps at the local level: Public input charrettes Development of policy language Education and training Outreach to local road agencies

Challenges in Low-Income Communities

Greater barriers to physical activity Fewer residents own automobiles Higher rates of walking Higher rates of traffic related accidents Social equity concerns

Complete Streets are even more important and can have an even greater impact in low-income communities.

OR

Solutions in Low-Income Communities

Challenge: Pedestrian safety risks

Disenfranchised residents

Crime rates

Access to engineers and professional expertise

Solution: Infrastructure improvements

Building consensus through coalitions and collaboration More people on the streets = increased safety and security

State focus on low-income communities (Michigan example)

Complete Streets are part of the solution.

Vibrant Communities Picture this in your community . . . The planning and development of Complete Streets leads to: An increase in children walking and bicycling to school Adults commuting to work by walking and bicycling Improved air quality Attractive streets, greenways and trails A stronger sense of community Walking school busses Seniors out and about A friendlier environment where we all want to live

Complete Streets can help create vibrant communities where the best and brightest want to live and therefore businesses want to locate.

Resources

www.completestreets.org/

www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/

2000 FHWA Guidance:

“Bicycling and walking facilities will be incorporated into all

transportation projects unless exceptional circumstances exist.”

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/design.htm

www.activelivingresources.org/index.php

AASHTO Green Book: “All highways, except those where bicyclists are legally prohibited, should be designed and constructed under the assumption that they will be used by cyclists.” https://bookstore.transportation.org/item_details.aspx?ID=106

www.michigancompletestreets.org

Thank You!

Mike Maisner, Vice President of Operations Michigan Fitness Foundation

mmaisner@michiganfitness.org (517) 908-3820