Influencing Complete Streets Policies at the Regional Level
Source: Safe Routes Partnership
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, people across the country have embraced Open Streets/Healthy Streets campaigns, where local streets are opened up to create space for people to safely bike and walk while staying physically distanced. At the same time, the pandemic has also laid bare and exacerbated the structural inequities that are pervasive throughout our neighborhoods and streets — inequities that cannot be fixed by temporarily closing neighborhood streets to cars.
How can we avoid going back to the status quo and make people-friendly, equitable street design a permanent fixture in transportation policy, planning, and funding? At the regional level, MPOs can pass strong Complete Streets policies. This fact sheet outlines success stories, best practices, and resources for anyone looking to plan, fund, and build safer, more convenient streets for biking and walking through Complete Streets policies.
