Complete Streets: Moving from introduction to local policy www.mncompletestreets.org

1. Complete Streets:Moving from introduction to local policywww.mncompletestreets.org

2. What are “complete” streets? Complete Streets are designed and operated to be safe and accessible for pedestrians, transit riders, bicyclists, and drivers—all users, regardless of age or ability.

3. What do “complete” streets look like? • Vary by local context • Typically include sidewalks and safe crossing points in urban and suburban areas • Typically include bike lanes or path on busier roads • Include texturized curb ramps for wheelchair users and visually impaired

4. Many types of “complete” streets

5. Example: Hwy 169 in St. Peter Before Pedestrian crossing distances up to 90 feet

6. Example: Hwy 169 in St. Peter After Pedestrian crossing distances reduced to between 54 and 66 feet

7. Example: Franklin Ave in Minneapolis The “incomplete” 12-inch wide Sidewalk

8. Heading to the “complete”…

9. Why do we need Complete Streets? 500 Minnesota pedestrians and bicyclists killed in the last decade; more than 20,000 injured Safety

10. Why do we need Complete Streets? Access 40 percent of Minnesotans do not drive

11. Example of need for change—Woodland Ave Duluth Before

12. Woodland Ave After • Does not serve nearby Univ of MN-Duluth • Pedestrians safety and comfort concerns walking along and trying to cross • Bicycle safety concerns throughout • Access barriers, especially in the winter • The “incomplete” street lead to Duluth passing a Complete Streets resolution

13. Benefits of Complete Streets • Safety • Accessibility and independence • Health • Family transportation cost savings • Economic development / tourism • Environment • Quality of life and vibrancy

14. Complete Streets can help: Health • 25 percent of Minnesotans are obese and an additional 37 percent are overweight • If left unchecked, obesity could cost the state $3.7 billion a year by 2020 • 51 percent of Minnesota adults do not achieve recommended physical activity Minnesota’s growing obesity epidemic Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System from the 2008 Minnesota Obesity Plan

15. Benefits: Health • Residents are 65% more likely to walk in a neighborhood with sidewalks • Cities with more bike lanes per square mile have higher levels of bicycle commuting • Complete Streets are recommended by: • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • Minnesota State Obesity Plan • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, American Heart Association, Minnesotans for Healthy Kids Coalition, and Minnesota Public Health Association

16. Benefits: Health • Obesity is lower in places where people use bicycles, • public transportation, and their feet. Pucher, “Walking and Cycling: Path to Improved Public Health,” Fit City Conference, NYC, June 2009

17. Benefits: Health • States with the highest levels of biking and walking have, on average, the lowest rates of obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Bicycling and Walking in the United States: 2010 Benchmarking Report, Alliance for Biking and Walking

18. Example: Albert Lea Blue Zones • AARP, Dan Buettner, and the City led project to improve the length and quality of lives • Life expectancy of 786 full participates increased by an average of 2.9 years • Project included “walking moias,” walking school buses, walkability audit, and a new Complete Streets subdivision ordinance • City likely to add first bike lane in 2011

19. What is a Complete Streets policy? • Declares political support for a balanced approach to road building • Sets a vision for a Complete Streets process • Focused on safety and accessibility of all road users • Offers implementation steps • Includes accountability

20. Why have a policy? To provide political and community support for engineers to design “complete” streets

21. Why have a policy? To change practice, integrating the needs of all road users into everyday transportation planning and design practices • Look to new road construction, reconstruction, and repaving projects as an opportunity • Include everything from planning to maintenance

22. Why have a policy? To gradually create a complete network of roads that serve all users Bloomington’s planned network

23. To save money: in the long run, retrofit projects always cost more than getting it right the first time Why have a policy?

24. Growing national movement 120+ policies in last 10years Number of Policies Adopted

25. Growing Minnesota movement • Local resolutions or policies: • Rochester • Hennepin County • St. Paul • Albert Lea • Bloomington • Duluth • Independence • State policy for Mn/DOT signed May 15, 2010 by Governor Pawlenty after strong bi-partisan legislative support • Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition has more than 65 members

26. Getting started on Complete Streets in your community Most common process in Minnesota • Create the case for Complete Streets • Work group drafts a resolution of support • Council/board approves resolution • Work group creates a full policy • Council/board approves policy • Implementation and reporting

27. Elements of a policy • Sets a vision. • Includes all modes. • Emphasizes connectivity. • Applies to all phases of all applicable projects. • Specifies and limits exceptions, with management approval required. • Uses latest design standards is flexible. • Is context-sensitive. • Sets performance standards. • Includes implementation steps. Source: National Complete Streets Coalition

28. From policy to practice • An effective policy should prompt the transportation agency to: • restructure procedures, policies, and programs • rewrite design manuals or standards (if applicable) • offer training opportunities to planners and engineers • create new performance measures Source: National Complete Streets Coalition

29. For More information:www.mncompletestreets.org www.completestreets.org