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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.

BikeWalk Mississippi claimed a victory on February 8th when the Senate unanimously voted to pass SB3014, the John Paul Frerer Bicycle Safety Act.

The safety bill will provide additional measures to increase safety on the road for both bicyclists and pedestrians. Critical components of the legislation include the implementation of a 3 Feet rule and Anti-Harassment language to protect bicyclists. There are a few more hurdles before the bill becomes official but BikeWalk Mississippi remains active and confident stating “this is an incredible day for bicyclists around the state.”

BikeWalk Mississippi extends THANK YOUs to both Chairman King and President Hewes for their amazing efforts in the Senate, “their leadership navigated the bill as well as our advocates through the legislative process.” To find out more about BikeWalk Mississippi’s efforts and the current status of the John Paul Frerer Bicycle Safety Act, visit www.bikewalkmississippi.org

For over a year, Mississippi River Trail, Inc. (MRT) has been working with area agencies to install new route marking signs within the 72-mile Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) corridor. On June 6th (National Trails Day) they will celebrate with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening celebration led by St. Paul Mayor, MNRRA Superintendent, and an MnDOT commissioner.  MRT also reports that MnDOT has received funding to sign the entire Mississippi River Trail corridor in Minnesota!  Riding in the MNRAA will soon be no sweat!

For more information, click here…