Intersections: Complete streets = Complete communities

Intersections is a new series of articles exploring the ways that riding a bike can contribute positively to many contemporary issues, whether we know it (or care) or not. This is the second in the series. Read the first feature here.

If I didn't work at the Bicycle Coalition, I probably wouldn't know anything about the Complete Streets movement, or care much about it. Complete Streets is about "designing the roadway with all users in mind - including bicyclists, public transportation vehicles and riders, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities". But I guess for me, infrastructure improvements just aren't something I get very excited about.










However, what I've realized is very cool about complete streets is that they create complete communities, or livable streets. Livable streets mean everything from improving physical and environmental health, to the emotional health that comes from being connected to the people around you. (And we already saw in a previous article that simply walking or riding a bike can help make your community safer). There are even economic benefits to building more livable communities, like increasing local business sales and property values.

And I definitely get excited about the goal of creating communities where everyone -regardless of age, gender, or economic class- has access to public spaces; to stores, parks, and schools; and to each other.


I was impressed by some comments by Ray LaHood, the US Secretary of Transportation, about how building complete streets is really about building healthy communities. In this interview with AARP posted on Streetsblog LaHood makes it clear that these projects are about improving everyone's communities:

Q: You talk a lot about livable communities. How would you describe one?

A: It’s a community where if people don’t want an automobile, they don’t have to have one. A community where you can walk to work, your doctor’s appointment, pharmacy or grocery store. Or you could take light rail, a bus or ride a bike.

Q: In an AARP poll of transit planners, two-thirds said they don’t specifically take the needs of older Americans into account for their work. Is somebody at DOT specifically tasked with making sure your plans address the needs of this growing segment of the population?

A: This is the first time in the history of a DOT authorization bill that we’re going to have a livability program in the legislation. That sends a pretty good message that this is not your grandfather’s—or your grandmother’s—DOT.

Q: It sounds like you seek out livable communities in your personal life.

A: The idea of livable communities is not Ray LaHood’s idea or Barack Obama’s idea: It’s the people’s. This is what the people want right now.

And in a separate speech, also posted on Streetsblog, LaHood articulates how Complete Streets start from community needs and work their way up. And in a comment relevant to both cyclists and motorists, LaHood's 'healthy communities' are about being able to get around safely however you want, rather than pitting one mode of transportation against another.

I believe it’s time to re-think our federal spending priorities and focus on transportation investments that more effectively meet the needs of our communities...We need to turn around [our current rigid policies], so that our priorities and the outcomes people care about -- such as building transit and affordable housing closer together -- drive our investments.

We need to make our national priorities clear -- and then empower state and local jurisdictions and other stakeholders to make them a reality. And we don’t want to pit one mode of transportation against another.

For more info and resources check out the Livable Streets Initiative or Partners for Livable Communities.