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Thanks, in part, to some dedicated advocates in Cleveland, the federal Complete Streets Act is now a bipartisan bill.

For many, the name Steve LaTourette is familiar. This spring, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood made headlines when he jumped on a table at the National Bike Summit in animated support for bicycling and walking. LaTourette caught some media attention too, when he jokingly quipped that LaHood must be on drugs to suggest cycling deserved significant federal funding.

While that off-the-cuff comment went viral on the internet, LaTourette quickly wrote a public clarification, noting his “ardent support” for bike facilities. Now, another story is spreading across the country. The Ohio Congressman is getting some deserved attention for putting that “ardent support” into action, leading his conservative colleagues and proving that complete streets is a concept that transcends politics.

Last week, LaTourette signed on to the Complete Streets Act — a bill now in Congress that would ensure that communities across America design, build and operate their roadways with all users in mind, including bicyclists, public transit users and pedestrians. Because of his position on the prestigious House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, LaTourette’s opinions on transportation policy and infrastructure spending are critical. Not to mention, the Congressman is the first Republican to join the growing ranks of lawmakers who support complete streets.

So what nudged LaTourette to add his name? Action from advocates at Walk+Roll Cleveland and local bike shop owners.

First, the Ohio advocates kickstarted communications and meetings between LaTourette and national organizations like Bikes Belong, the Alliance, the League of American Bicyclists and the National Complete Streets Coalition.

Next, they showed LaTourette the numbers. Walk+Roll’s founder, Lois Moss, and owners of Eddy’s Bike Shops and Solon Bicycle met personally with the Congressman’s staffers. They came prepared with copies of Minnesota Business magazine, which reported that bicycling has added millions to the state economy and that many thousands of Minnesotans use bicycles for transportation, despite the chilly climate. They also cited stats from the Outdoor Industry Association that show bicycle facilities create jobs — in fact, generating more jobs per million dollars spent than massive highway and bridge reconstruction projects.

Then, they rallied the community. On September 17th, more than 1,000 residents walked, rolled and bused to Cleveland’s Progressive Field for an “Access for All Party,” a festive event promoting complete streets. Lo and behold, a few days later, LaTourette was signing on as a Complete Streets co-sponsor.

“Congressman LaTourette has historically been generally supportive of recreational bicycling,” Moss said in today’s press release. “Agreeing to co-sponsor Complete Streets demonstrates an understanding that bicycling and walking can also be transportation.”

Check out the National Complete Streets Coalition to learn more about the federal bill.

The Alliance is a proud member of the steering committee for the National Complete Streets Coalition. Our friends at the Coalition asked us to summarize why the Alliance — and our more than 160 member organizations — support complete streets. Check out the Coalition’s blog for our post, or read it below! 

In 1996, two dozen bicycle and pedestrian advocacy leaders from across the nation met at the Thunderhead Ranch in Wyoming to share their experiences and strategize ways to build a powerful national movement.

From that small retreat, the Alliance for Biking & Walking was born (originally known as the Thunderhead Alliance).

It didn’t fit the standard mold. Inspired and empowered by their collective experiences as on-the-ground advocates, the founding group envisioned a new kind of organization — not one that lobbied Congress for federal funds or fought for bike lanes in specific communities, but one that existed solely to serve and strengthen grassroots leaders.

In its first year, the Alliance had just 12 member organizations, but the idea took off fast. By training, assisting, and funding grassroots advocates, the Alliance supported new organizations and spurred the growth of established groups. In little more than a decade, our ranks have swelled to more than 160 local, state, and provincial advocacy organizations across North America.

Now, nearly fifteen years since that gathering in Wyoming, bicycle and pedestrian advocacy is no longer a fringe issue advanced by a handful of activists scattered across the country. We’ve matured into a professional, engaged movement that speaks with authority and stretches from coast to coast.

Like the Alliance, the concept of Complete Streets was born and raised by grassroots leaders.

A decade ago, local advocates pressed their government officials and city planners for “routine accommodation” of cyclists and pedestrians. While it sounded somewhat clumsy, routine accommodation was a transformative idea. It represented a holistic approach, ensuring all transportation projects were built or redesigned with facilities for users of all ages and abilities. But the term was uninspiring to decision makers. Worse, it was stale jargon to community members. To make meaningful progress, everyone knew we needed a vibrant phrase that captured the spirit of our vision. Positive and pro-active, “complete streets” became the new rallying cry — and caught fire fast.

The Alliance is a proud partner of the National Complete Streets Coalition because we share a common vision — streets that invite active transportation because they are safe, accessible and enjoyable for bicyclists and pedestrians. We rely on the Coalition to highlight best practices, centralize key resources, and lead the charge for complete streets at a federal level. We work closely with the Coalition, because we recognize Complete Streets campaigns are one of the most powerful tools for grassroots advocates to transform their communities and build their organization’s capacity.

It may not be a silver bullet, but, simply put, a well-written and enforced Complete Streets policy makes the advocate’s job easier. Instead of fighting for accommodation on each and every road construction or redesign, grassroots leaders have an avenue to shape the vision for their community and partner with their transportation officials to make it a reality.

Complete streets help grassroots advocates build partnerships, too. Health care professionals and environmental activists recognize the role of incomplete streets in fueling climate change and feeding an epidemic of obesity. Groups that advocate for students, seniors, and those with disabilities understand that complete streets liberate and empower citizens of all ages and abilities.

So it’s no surprise that complete streets is often the hottest topic at the Alliance’s Winning Campaigns Trainings. Participants are eager to use the three-day workshop to jumpstart a complete streets campaign in their community. They’re fired up to make their streets safer, rally more members, and build new relationships. And, thanks to the National Complete Streets Coalition, they know they’re part of an exciting, growing movement that spans the globe.

This month, Jeff Stephens had some fun with street paint.

With the city’s permission, of course.

Last week, the executive director of Consider Biking (pictured) helped officials in Columbus, Ohio, install sharrows on High Street. After a year of waiting, nearly 190 markers are now alerting motorists that cyclists have equal rights to the full lane. Much to Consider Biking’s liking, the sharrows are highly visible and placed only 200 feet apart along the 6.5-mile stretch.

That’s not the only promising development in Columbus, a city that has a strong complete streets policy that aims to make roadways accessible to all users.

In addition to the paint sprayer, Stephens wielded some scissors, helping Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman cut the ribbon on new improvements to Morse Street. A critical east-west corridor, that artery now has three miles of bike lanes.

So it’s no surprise that Consider Biking gives the city some love in its latest newsletter: “Experience across the country demonstrates that bike lanes help encourage more people to bicycle on the road. And we know that more bicycles on the road translates to increased safety for bicyclists, too. We applaud the City for their commitment to building ‘complete streets’ and look forward to helping unveil more dedicated bike lanes across the city as the summer progresses.”

Check out Consider Biking’s Facebook page for more photos.

This on-the-ground, up-to-the-minute story was written by John Lindenmayer, Associate Director of the League of Michigan Bicyclists, and is posted in conjunction with our partners at the National Complete Streets Coalition.

It’s hard to think of Michigan without thinking of the automobile. But we’re doing our best to change that.

For far too long, local and statewide car-centric transportation policies focused on accommodating motorists alone and failed to address the needs of non-motorized roadway users – including pedestrians, bicyclists, older citizens and persons with disabilities.

This outdated mode of thinking must change.

Now, Michigan has the chance to join 13 other states in passing Complete Streets legislation. Today, the House Transportation Committee is scheduled to vote on two bills — HB 6151 and HB 6152 — that require planners and engineers design roads to accommodate all users, regardless of age or ability. Such legislation, by creating safer, healthier and more livable communities, will make Michigan a place where people want to settle. It will attract both tourists and new residents. It will boost the economy and spur economic revitalization. It will help Michigan regain its rightful place as a leader in transportation – all modes of transportation.

Many communities – including Lansing, Flint, Jackson and Midland – have already adopted local complete streets ordinances/resolutions or have drafted non-motorized transportation plans. Additionally, more than 70 diverse organizations, nonprofits and businesses have partnered with the Michigan Complete Streets Coalition to voice their concerted support for statewide complete streets policies.

The coalition is led by the League of Michigan Bicyclists, the Michigan Environmental Council, and AARP. Coalition members represent health and fitness groups, such as the Michigan Fitness Foundation and the American Heart Association; the disability and aging community, like the Michigan Development Disabilities Council; environmental groups such as the Michigan League of Conservation Voters and the Michigan Land Use Institute; bicycling organizations, such as the Program to Educate All Cyclists; and the transit community, such as Transportation Riders United.

This growing coalition exemplifies the strong grassroots support for complete streets policies throughout the state, especially on the statewide level. The past two hearings on the Complete Streets bills have had a great turnout, with standing-room-only space at each meeting. Additionally, more than 30 organizations and businesses – some aligned with the coalition, others independently – have submitted written or verbal testimony in support of the legislation.

They believe, as we do, that passing statewide Complete Streets legislation will make Michigan a safer, healthier and stronger place to live.

UPDATE from Michigan advocates: “The House Transportation Committee passed both bills out of committee, with substitute language (H-2 6151 and H-2 6152). They both passed unanimously, with a pass by Representative Paul Opsommer.”

The complete streets movement kicked off summer in sizzling fashion, with a handful of policies passing in places you might not imagine.

In recent weeks, measures to make roadways safe and accessible for all users, from cyclists to pedestrians to transit riders, won approval all over the map. A number of those victories are outlined in the latest newsletter from the National Complete Streets Coalition this week.

-  In Pascagoula, Mississippi, the city council passed a resolution on May 18 that “calls for the inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian ways in new construction and reconstruction projects undertaken by the city.” The resolution made Pascagoula the third city in the state to adopt complete streets language.

- The hard work of Alliance member Active Transportation Alliance paid off when the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission became the third, and largest, metropolitan planning organization in the state to adopt a complete streets policy on May 20.

- Also spurred by local advocates, Edmonton captured the distinction of being the first city in the state of Oklahoma to officially embrace complete streets. On May 24, the city council unanimously approved a resolution to provide accommodation for all users on the city’s roadways in a “balanced, responsible, and equitable way.”

- On May 25, the planning commission in Midland, Michigan, unanimously approved a complete streets policy that specifically calls for attention to safe, accessible intersection design and will apply to any new or reconstructed streets.

- In the Show-Me State, residents of St. Louis will be seeing better access for cyclists and pedestrians after the city council passed a complete streets policy on June 11. Chalk that up to the determined efforts of Trailnet, a group of advocates who pressed for the measure for several years.

- Just last week, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed a bill that added complete streets language to state statute. The Colorado Department of Transportation already had an internal policy of “accommodating bicycle and pedestrian use of the highways in a safe and reliable manner for all highway users.” But the new measure puts that policy into law.

- And finally, a group of advocates in Alaska kicked off a new complete streets campaign in the city of Spenard by drumming up more than 100 supporters on Facebook in advance of their first meeting with city officials last week.

For more information about the movement, visit the National Complete Streets Coalition.

In 2009, Dorian Grilley never would have put the small, upstart Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota in the same sentence as a corporate powerhouse like Blue Cross Blue Shield.

But just last month, the two organizations were sharing a press release and celebrating a mutual victory.

Last year, Grilley (pictured right) and another board member from the fledgling Minnesota nonprofit traveled to Denver to attend an Alliance Winning Campaigns Training. One hot campaign that the two considered was complete streets legislation; a bill that would ensure that DOT officials provide safe and accessible accommodations for all citizens, including bicyclists and pedestrians, in future road projects. “We spent a fair amount of time evaluating our capacity and, as a new organization, we really didn’t feel we had the capacity to take on complete streets all by ourselves,” Grilley said.

They didn’t have to.

In an effort to create safer, more active communities, Blue Cross Blue Shield, a major health insurance company, had dedicated itself to the passage of a state complete streets policy. Along with the AARP and other experienced environmental organizations, BCBS gave the new Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition a huge microphone. But they had a hole in their base of support.

“They realized that bicyclists could add significantly to the building of the coalition,” Grilley said. So the Bicycle Alliance ED joined the Coalition steering committee and, with 65 organizations making the case for complete streets, the Minnesota legislature took notice. Both chambers passed a measure that requires the Mn/DOT consider community needs and all likely users in planning future road projects. Last month, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty signed the bill into law.

Kathy Mock, senior vice president for public affairs at Blue Cross, applauded the passage in the Coalition’s press release. “This is smart policy because it provides benefits on so many levels: safety, health, clean transportation choices, and makes transportation dollars stretch farther,” she said
. “
Blue Cross actively supported this effort because making it easier for people to get around on foot or by bike is a great way to encourage more physical activity and thereby improve overall health.”

It boosted the credibility — and pride — of the Bicycle Alliance, as well. Grilley said he was proud the group helped assemble and lead the successful campaign: “It ended up being a great relationship builder for a new, bike nonprofit organization and it really helped grow our membership.”

They’ll need that clout to continue the complete streets push.

“Our work has just begun, because the legislation applies only to state-funded roads,” Grilley said. “We will participate in Mn/DOT’s complete streets implementation committee. But, perhaps more importantly, BikeMN staff and members will need to continue our work of encouraging local units of government to adopt and implement complete streets policies.”

Read about other successful efforts in the Alliance’s recently released Guide to Complete Streets Campaigns, or learn more about the Bicycle Alliance and Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition. 

In the past four years, the national push for complete streets has caught fire, spreading rapidly from coast to coast. Since 2006, more than 100 state and local jurisdictions have adopted new policies that require transportation projects include safe accommodations for all users, including bicyclists and pedestrians.

To add fuel to this quickly advancing movement, the Alliance for Biking & Walking has released a new edition of its Guide to Complete Streets Campaigns.

The 117-page book updates and expands on the 2006 edition, with new complete streets policy examples, samples from current campaigns, and resources for advocates pursuing complete streets.

In many cases, Alliance organizations have led the charge, winning complete streets policies in their states and cities. Jeff Miller, Alliance president/CEO, says this new manual could be a catalyst for groups to kick-start or super-charge a successful campaign in their area.

“This updated guide is a key resource for grassroots advocates pursuing complete streets policies for their states and cities,” Miller says. “This compilation shares the step-by-step actions and lessons learned from peers across the country, making it the most up-to-date and on-the-ground advice for winning complete streets.”

The updated Guide to Complete Streets Campaigns was made possible by the generous support of Planet Bike and with assistance from the National Complete Streets Coalition. The guide is available for purchase through the Alliance’s website and is available as a free download to leaders of Alliance member organizations through the Alliance’s online Resource Library.

Book Description: Our nation’s transportation system poses significant challenges for the third of our citizens who do not drive. A full 13 percent of traffic deaths are bicyclists and pedestrians, yet most roadways are still being built with only motor vehicles in mind. Complete streets policies require that future transportation projects ensure safe accommodation of all users. Bicyclists, motorists, transit vehicles and users, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities safely and enjoyably travel along and across complete streets. The Alliance for Biking & Walking’s Guide to Complete Streets Campaigns compiles a blueprint for winning a complete streets policy in your city, region, state, or province. Filled with models from past and current campaigns and tips from advocacy leaders in the field, this guide is an indispensable resource for the new or seasoned advocate working towards complete streets.

The Alliance for Biking & Walking’s Guide to Complete Streets Campaigns is part of a series of Alliance guides, which aim to build the capacity of bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations. To purchase the guide online visit www.PeoplePoweredMovement.org/publications.

On Friday, the Alliance staff joined several dozen advocates who pedaled a poster-sized thank-you card to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The letter, expressing support for LaHood’s recent policy statement on biking and walking, was signed by organizations in all 50 states — including many Alliance members.

Our arrival wasn’t without some fanfare: each of our bikes had to get the all-clear from drug- and bomb-sniffing dogs. But once our rides passed the canine inspection, we didn’t have to wait long for LaHood.

As he sauntered over to the crowd outside DOT, he asked us what we thought of the recently striped bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue. Jeremy Grandstaff, our members services director, was quick to pipe up. “They’re fantastic,” he told the Secretary. “And they should stay.” Mugging for the cameras, LaHood (pictured) pinned a hot-pink bicycle button on his lapel, grabbed a bike and hopped aboard.

When the cameras started rolling, Randy Neufeld — president of America Bikes and director of the SRAM Cycling Fund — was among the advocates to applaud LaHood’s vision for complete streets and safe routes to school. But, when the Secretary took the podium, he turned the tables. He wanted to say thank you to all the bike-ped organizations that, he said, are changing opinions on the Hill.

Here’s what he told us:

“I go to these meetings around the country and people say to me, ‘I’ve been reading about your goals and reading about what your priorities are and it looks like you care more about bikers than do about truckers; you care more about bikers than you do people who drive on the roads.’ And I tell people, the truth is that Americans want to get outdoors. They want to ride their bikes. They want to walk to work. They want the opportunity to get out of congestion and get out of their cars and have the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors… If you have ideas about this, I know you won’t be bashful about sharing those, because I know you’re not bashful people. But we think it’s important to promote the idea of biking and walking and using these kinds of opportunities, whether it’s on the streets or on abandoned rail lines or some of the examples you’ve used. We’re grateful to you for your support, because what you have done, in terms of your blogs, in terms of what you’ve done using our blog and getting the message out, is really beginning to change attitudes on Capitol Hill. [Applause and bell ringing.] You know what a few members of Congress said about us when we stood on that table and applauded biking and put out our new biking policy. Well, a couple now have signed a letter of support for what we’re trying to do. You all made a difference and we appreciate that. And I know bikers all over America appreciate that, too. You’re going to have full partners here at DOT and we’re going to continue to do what we can and continue to take cues from all of you and whatever suggestions and ideas that you have for other things we ought to be doing. But biking is now part of DOT’s top policies and you all deserve a lot of credit for that .You have a lot of friends around here and we’re going to continue to partner with you and, in doing that, we’ll really make a difference.”

To see pictures of the event, visit the Alliance Flickr page.

According to Central Ohio’s Consider Biking, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) recently became the first large metropolitan planning organization in the country to adopt a solid complete streets policy. The complete streets policy, approved on April 8, 2010, will replace the region’s existing routine accommodation policy.

Complete streets are streets that are designed and operated with users of every age and ability in mind. Now every roadway project in central Ohio that uses MORPC funds must enable safe and comfortable access for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, public transit, people with disabilities, delivery and service personnel, freight haulers, emergency responders, and other users. For more information visit ConsiderBiking.org.

Special thanks to Christopher Doenlen for contributing this member news.

Bicycle Indiana has been working hard to pass a statewide complete streets policy.  Recently, their campaign celebrated a milestone with the introduction of a complete streets policy to the Indiana General Assembly.  The bill follows the recent adoption of a local complete streets policy in Madison County, IN.  For more information about the bill and Bicycle Indiana’s complete streets initiatives, visit www.bicycleindiana.org/.

On Monday, February 8th, the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota and other members of the Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition celebrated the introduction of the “Complete Streets” bill, (SF 2461/HF 2801) in the Minnesota legislature. Upon introduction, the bill had widespread support from environment, health, and transportation advocates throughout the state as well as bipartisan support in both legislative bodies.  Following the example of 18 states and more than 100 communities, the legislation aims to make Minnesota roads safer and more accessible for those who utilize all forms of transportation including transit riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians. A statewide poll by the Minnesota Environmental Partnership found that 73 percent of Minnesotans back the mission of the legislation, which would ultimately create policies that make the state’s roadways safer for all, especially the young and old.

For more information on the legislation visit :
http://www.bikemn.org/news_detail.cfm?id=783DB9CD-FCE9-45B4-B1B2-D80AAA96BFAB
or http://www.mncompletestreets.org/

“After more than two years of meetings and drafting language, Bicycle Colorado announced that the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) Transportation Commission has adopted a, “groundbreaking statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Policy.

According to Bicycle Colorado, “The new policy directs that, ‘...the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians shall be included in the planning, design, and operation of transportation facilities, as a matter of routine…’

Division of Transportation Development Director Jennifer Finch stated, ‘This is a change in philosophy for the Department [of Transportation].’

Bicycle Colorado’s Executive Director Dan Grunig said, ‘We have passed positive bicycle legislation and overturned bike bans, but passing this policy may be the biggest step we’ve taken towards bicyclists being treated as legitimate road users.’

Adoption of this policy is a big step, but implementation is the key to the policy’s success. Read more about next steps for this policy online.

The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin and the entire Wisconsin bicycle community is excited to report major legislative successes from this past month. According to the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, “On June 8th, Governor Doyle signed the “Dooring” legislation in to law. On June 29th, lobbying efforts from April became fully realized when the Governor signed the Wisconsin state budget. The budget contains Complete Streets legislation and an additional $5 million for bicycle infrastructure. The 2010-2011 Wisconsin state budget contains the first-ever state funded source for bicycle infrastructure.”

For more information, click here…

To learn more about WI’s new “dooring” legislation, click here…

According to PATH (Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii), “Hawaii Complete Streets bill, SB718 was signed into law (May 7th) by Governor Linda Lingle.  The law requires that all new roads and roads slated for maintenance be designed to accommodate all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists.  This is a major landmark victory in our effort to create a safe, connected network for walking and bicycling.” Congratulations to Alliance members PATH and the Hawaii Bicycle League for this exciting victory for biking and walking in the Aloha state.

For more information about PATH, click here…

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