Although nearly 500 localities around the U.S. have created complete streets policies, there is no federal mandate that they do so. That may soon change if a bipartisan bill introduced last week in the House of Representatives is passed.
"At a briefing yesterday on Capitol Hill, representatives of the National Complete Streets Coalition made the case for national standards for complete streets policies," reports Olivia Starr, the APA's Government Affairs Associate. "This is one of the central proposals of the Safe Streets Act of 2013 [PDF] (H.R. 2468), also introduced yesterday by Reps. Matsui (D-CA) and Joyce (R-OH)."
"The Safe Streets Act would require that each state and metropolitan planning organization adopt a complete streets policy within two years that ensures all new federally-funded transportation projects accommodate the safety and convenience of all users," explains Starr. "The bill defines transportation projects as road construction and road modification projects, including design, planning, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, maintenance, and operations."
"In her statement at the briefing, Rep. Matsui said that 'we are changing our lifestyle. We also need to change our roads.' She added that her primary motivation for supporting a set of national complete streets policy standards is improving safety for all transportation system users."
FULL STORY: House Bill Proposes National Complete Streets Policy Standards
A Troubling Trend of Backlash to Bike Lanes
Some cities are going so far as to rip out protected bike infrastructure that took years of advocacy to build.
Austin Outlaws Blocking Bike Lanes
Drivers who park in bike lanes will receive citations of up to $300.
St. Petersburg’s Bike Infrastructure Efforts Pay Off
New bike infrastructure is encouraging more people to take to the streets on two wheels, but advocates say safety challenges remain.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service