Legislators introduce complete streets bill

Protects pedestrians, bikes

Steve Hawley, Mar 12, 09.

Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa and Representative Doris Matsui of California have introduced a complete streets bill in the House and the Senate, according to the National Complete Streets Coalition. According to the release, the goal of the Complete Streets Act is “to ensure that federal transportation infrastructure investments provide safe travel for Americans whether they are driving, bicycling, walking, or taking public transportation.”

It notes, “The Act would require that states and Metropolitan Planning Organizations adopt policies to ensure that future road investments take into account the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders and vehicles, as well as the needs of people of all ages and abilities. The Act is modeled on Complete Streets policies that have been adopted in more than 80 jurisdictions across the United States in the last few years, including California, Illinois, and dozens of cities.”

The coalition says that complete streets will reduce injuries and deaths among pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vulnerable users, as well as lowering the number of car crashes.

Transportation for America also provides coverage of the bill.

Read the text of the bill (HR 1443/SB 584)