MOBILE, Alabama — Following a three-day, mayors only meeting in Texas, MayorSandy Stimpson has concluded that a major key to developing Mobile’s waterfront area lies in making Water Street walkable and easier to navigate, he said on Monday.
The comments were made after Stimpson attended the Mayors’ Institute on City Design in San Antonio from March 5 through March 7, an annual gathering of mayors and urban planning experts from across the country.
Mayors from places as far flung as Santa Rosa, Calif., and Somerville, Mass., were asked to present an issue in their cities for the group to consider.
Stimpson’s presentation focused on one of the Port City’s most frustrating dilemmas: the underutilization of multiple waterfront properties, including the Alabama Cruise Terminal.
“What they saw was the lack of connectivity between all of our venues — the lack of signage — probably the biggest problem is Water Street,” Stimpson said. “The problem with Water Street (is) you have a six lane major thoroughfare that does not have the perception of safe crossings to get pedestrians across.”
He said the solution may include the closure of lanes and would have to include a solution for bicyclists looking to get around the waterfront area. To help determine what’s needed, Stimpson extended an invitation to one of the experts at the conference, Mukul Malhotra. (Read more at AL.com)
Advocacy Advance is a dynamic partnership of the Alliance for Biking & Walking and the League of American Bicyclists to boost local and state bicycle and pedestrian advocacy efforts. With support from SRAM, Advocacy Advance provides targeted trainings, reports, grants and assistance to equip advocates with the specific tools they need to increase biking and walking in their communities.
Last year $2.9 billion was spent on transportation projects. How much of that was spent on bicycle and pedestrian facilities?
Not much! Alabama ranks 46th out of 50 states on percentage of transportation money spent on bike/ped infrastructure.
0% of those funds were used on bike-only projects
1.2% was used on pedestrian only facilities
0.7% was used on shared (bicycle and pedestrian projects)
6.1% of spending on transportation projects had bicycle and pedestrian facilities (including road projects)
93.9% of spending on transportation projects had no bicycle or pedestrian components.
The new Advocacy Advance report, Lifting the Veil on Bicycle and Pedestrian Spending, takes a look at a complex federal process – the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). STIPs, at their most basic, are budget documents that express how states plan to spend federal transportation funds for the next four years.
They examined these documents in every state to determine the types of facilities that are planned for people who walk and bike. We asked if planned projects will serve bicyclists-only, pedestrians-only, or both through a shared facility and whether they will occur as part of other roadwork or as standalone projects. We found that:
Bicycling and walking investments are difficult to determine and appear to be small.
Bicycling and walking facilities are more numerous than cost percentage estimates alone might suggest.
Complete Streets policies are often correlated with more projects including bicycling and walking facilities, but having good data better explains states’ performance.
No strong trend emerged in how states allocated spending among biking, walking, and shared-use facilities.
States are required to make information accessible means and involve the public. By rating each state based upon how their DOT presents federally required planning information, we hope to encourage best practices that improve transparency and lead to better civic engagement.
Yesterday we unveiledThe Best Complete Streets Policies of 2013 and to celebrate we hosted an online discussion with representatives from many of this year’s top-scoring communities. Panelists gave listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how many of this year’s policies were created, and provided insights for how other communities create strong policies of their own.
If you were not able to join us for yesterday’s event, an archived recording is now available.
Joining yesterday’s event were Roger Millar, Director of the National Complete Streets Coalition; Chris Kuschel, Regional Planner, Metropolitan Area Planning Council (Massachusetts); Mayor James R. Walker of Peru, IN; Mark Demchek, Executive Director of the Miami County, IN YMCA; Karen Mendrala, Livability Planner for Fort Lauderdale, FL; Mayor Jonathan LaBonte of Auburn, ME; Craig Saddlemire, Chair of the Bike/Ped Committee for Lewiston/Auburn, ME; Rick Taintor, Planning Director for Portsmouth, NH; Andrew Fangman, City Planner for Muscatine, IA; Chris Schmiesing, City Planner for Piqua, OH; Jamie Parks, Complete Streets Program Manager for Oakland, CA; Bob Vinn, Assistant City Engineer for Livermore, CA; Aric Schroeder, City Planner for Waterloo, IA; and Mayor Jon Crews of Cedar Falls, IA.
Thank you to everyone who participated. The event provided great information for experts and newcomers alike about how public policies can build safer, more convenient streets for everyone.
Livermore, CA is included among the top of The Best Complete Streets Policies of 2013.
A total of 83 communities adopted Complete Streets policies in the United States in 2013. These laws, resolutions and planning and design documents encourage and provide for the safe access to destinations for everyone, regardless of age, ability, income or ethnicity, and no matter how they travel.
The Best Complete Streets Policies of 2013, released today by Smart Growth America’s National Complete Streets Coalition examines and scores each Complete Streets policy enacted in 2013. The report outlines ten ideal elements of a Complete Streets policy and scores individual policies based on these ideals. Policy elements refine a community’s vision for transportation, provide for many types of users, complement community needs and establish a flexible approach necessary for an effective Complete Streets process and outcome.
Fifteen agencies led the nation in creating comprehensive Complete Streets policies in 2013. These policies are a model for communities across the country. They are:
Rank:
Jurisdiction:
Score:
1.
Littleton, MA
94.4
2.
Peru, IN
92.8
3.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
89.6
4.
Auburn, ME (tie)
88.0
4.
Lewiston, ME (tie)
88.0
6.
Baltimore County, MD
86.4
7.
Portsmouth, NH
86.0
8.
Muscatine, IA
83.2
9.
Piqua, OH
82.4
10.
Oakland, CA
81.6
11.
Hayward, CA (tie)
80.8
11.
Livermore, CA (tie)
80.8
11.
Massachusetts Department of Transportation (tie)
80.8
14.
Cedar Falls, IA (tie)
80.0
14.
Waterloo, IA (tie)
80.0
Small towns and big cities alike enacted Complete Streets policies in 2013. The types of policies these communities use is similarly diverse: most take the form of a resolution adopted by a city or county council, but changes to municipal code and city-wide policies are gaining popularity. Policies adopted by an elected board are also popular. Of the top scoring policies of in 2013, almost all are this type of policy.
Over time, the typical Complete Streets policy has become increasingly well-written, as reflected in an upward trend in the annual median scores of policies. The median score of policies adopted in 2013 was 60.0, up from 46.8 in 2012.
Nationwide, a total of 610 jurisdictions now have Complete Streets policies in place. Today, 27 states as well as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia have Complete Streets policies. Fifty-one regional planning organizations, 48 counties and 482 municipalities in 48 states also have adopted such policies.
The Best Complete Streets Policies report is intended to celebrate the communities that have done exceptional work in the past year and to provide leaders at all levels of government with ideas for how to create strong Complete Streets policies. The report includes extensive detail for what makes Complete Streets policies work well, and how every community can make their streets better for everyone.
MOBILE, Alabama — Taking a stroll along every mile of the city of Mobile’s sidewalks would compare to walking from the Port City all the way to St. Louis, the River City.
With 3.3 million linear feet of sidewalks — or 621 miles — Mobile is one of four Coastal Alabama cities to adopt the Complete Streets policy, along with Daphne, Fairhope and Orange Beach. Through Complete Streets, each city commits to planning transportation needs around motorists as well as pedestrians and bicyclists. (Read More on Al.com)
Whether you walk, bike, drive or take transit, Complete Streets policies help make sure you travel safely and conveniently, and a new bill introduced in the U.S. Senate would encourage every community in the country to use these strategies.
On Friday, Senators Mark Begich (D-AK) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Safe Streets Act of 2014 (S. 2004), which would require all new federally-funded transportation projects use a Complete Streets approach to planning, designing and building roads.
“America’s streets should be safe and convenient for everyone, whether you are driving, riding a bike, walking or using transit,” says Roger Millar, Director of the National Complete Streets Coalition, a program of Smart Growth America. “The Safe Streets Act is another sign that Congress is dedicated to making our nation’s streets better for everyone, regardless of age, ability, income, ethnicity or transportation choice.” (read more on Smart Growth America)
A mother and her child cross South Cobb Drive just south of Austell Road in South Cobb County, GA. Photo by Transportation for America via Flickr.
No one should have to risk their life just to cross the street.
If you’ve ever walked along a street with no sidewalk or crossed a road with no crosswalk, you know how dangerous incomplete streets can be. Making these streets safer is often easy and affordable—all it takes is the right approach.
A Complete Streets approach encourages traffic planners and engineers to make roads safer and more efficient for everyone who uses them. Over 600 towns, states and regions already have a Complete Streets policy in place and now, a new bill in Congress could bring this approach to communities across the country.
On Friday, Senators Mark Begich and Brian Schatz introduced the Safe Streets Act of 2014. The new bill mirrors legislation introduced in the House in June, and would encourage communities to include safety improvements in transportation project planning.
This step can make streets safer for everyone—at little or no extra cost and without separate funding sources. The bill does not trigger any new federal spending.
Safer streets are a key part of making great places. Vibrant neighborhoods and small town Main Streets all use Complete Streets features, and these features are a big part of what makes these places great.
Students in Kailua, HI, walk along a street with Complete Streets features. A new bill in the Senate would require Complete Streets considerations for federal projects. Photo via Charlier Associates.
Whether you walk, bike, drive or take transit, Complete Streets policies help make sure you travel safely and conveniently, and a new bill introduced in the U.S. Senate would encourage every community in the country to use these strategies.
On Friday, Senators Mark Begich (D-AK) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Safe Streets Act of 2014 (S. 2004), which would require all new federally-funded transportation projects use a Complete Streets approach to planning, designing and building roads.
“America’s streets should be safe and convenient for everyone, whether you are driving, riding a bike, walking or using transit,” says Roger Millar, Director of the National Complete Streets Coalition, a program of Smart Growth America. “The Safe Streets Act is another sign that Congress is dedicated to making our nation’s streets better for everyone, regardless of age, ability, income, ethnicity or transportation choice.”
“I’ve been a proud supporter of Safe Streets policies since I was mayor of Anchorage and continue to support them here in the Senate,” said Sen. Begich in a statement. “These policies lead to safer roads, less traffic congestion, higher property values, and healthier families. That’s why I’m pleased to introduce this common-sense bill to strengthen our transportation infrastructure and enhance the quality of life in our local communities.”
“Too many people are killed or injured each year because our streets are simply not designed and built with the safety of everyone—including pedestrians and bicyclists—in mind. Our communities deserve safer streets,” Sen. Schatz said. “Many of our roads in Hawai’i and across America make travel difficult for seniors, families, youth, and others who are unable or choose not to drive. Our legislation provides commonsense solutions to consider the needs of our seniors and children, encourage alternative forms of transportation, and make our roads and communities safer for everyone.”
“We are pleased to see the Senate take action on the connection between roadway design and safety. Accommodating people who are walking, bicycling, driving, and riding public transportation is fundamental to creating livable streets,” said Rich Weaver, Chair of the National Complete Streets Coalition, and Director of Planning, Policy, and Sustainability for the American Public Transportation Association.
Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Congressman David Joyce (R-OH) introduced a House version of the bill (H.R. 2468) in June 2013. Both the Senate and House bills encourage safer streets through Complete Streets policy adoption at the state and regional-levels—mirroring an approach already being used in more than 610 jurisdictions in 48 states as well as the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Such policies are leading to safer streets and healthier, more vibrant communities across the country. A federal provision will ensure consistency in policies and funding needed to support these local efforts to ensure safe streets.
Here’s the news release: Smart Coast has been on the forefront of Complete Streets and Safe Routes to School.
Mobile, Alabama (January 29, 2014) In a promising addition to its programs advancing conservation, the Alabama Coastal Foundation has been asked to lead the signature programs previously conducted by Smart Coast. Formed in 2000 and now mapping its dissolution, Smart Coast is an award-winning South Alabama non-profit that helps people transform their communities into healthy and flourishing places to live, work, and raise families.
In December 2013, the Smart Coast Board of Directors asked the Alabama Coastal Foundation to consider leading Smart Coast’s two major initiatives: Healthy Coastal Communities and the Green Coast Council. The ACF Board approved the concept on December 18 and the organizations have worked together to develop a transition plan. The effective date of the transition will be February 28, 2014 at 8:00 am Central Time.
Smart Coast’s Healthy Coastal Communities initiative implements safe routes to school programs and advocates for Complete Streets. The Green Coast Council is a sustainable business forum that was created in 2010 to promote business practices that demonstrate environmental stewardship, economic vitality and social responsibility. These initiatives are aligned with Alabama Coastal Foundation’s mission and will be added to the Foundation’s core undertakings.
Observed Smart Coast Board President Pamela Ramos – Executive Director of Mobile’s MBDA Business Center, “We are heartened to see Smart Coast’s work moved forward by such a well-organized team with positive spirit throughout. When we recognized Smart Coast needed additional capacity to conduct our signature programs, it was determined that strong mission alignment existed with the Alabama Coastal Foundation. Good beginnings deserve strong follow-through, and the Alabama Coastal Foundation is prepared to provide quality support for these programs.”
ACF Board President Tom Ward – Professor and History Department Chair at Spring Hill College, stated, “We are humbled to join forces with Smart Coast. As part of the transition, several Smart Coast Board members have agreed to join ACF’s Board and Advisory Council. We ask everyone involved with Smart Coast in the past to help ACF nurture and grow these programs by sharing their time, skills, and resources.”
When approached by Smart Coast, ACF Executive Director Mark Berte was honored that the Alabama Coastal Foundation was considered to help lead those programs. He stipulated that Smart Coast co-founder Charlene Lee would need to be a part of the work moving forward in order for it to be successful. Berte said, “I am pleased to announce that Charlene will join the ACF staff at the end of next month to complete her AmeriCorps VISTA service while providing leadership for the Healthy Coastal Communities Initiative. I look forward to working with everyone as we make a positive impact on coastal Alabama through these programs.”
The ACF uses an education-based approach to conservation: to find the solution, you must understand the problem. The ACF’s education programs include Gulf Coast Bay Buddy (kindergarten through fourth grades); the Coastal Kid’s Quiz (which is designed for fifth graders); Mobile Bay Estuary Corps (a middle school program for students who are interested in environmental science as a career path); and CASL: the Coastal Alabama Service Learning program for high school students. To learn more about ACF programs, become a member, or volunteer your time, visit the ACF web site:www.joinACF.org
Indianapolis, IN had the highest scoring Complete Streets policy of 2012. Photo by Ian Freimuth via Flickr.
More than 80 communities passed Complete Streets policies in 2013, and on February 18, Smart Growth America’s National Complete Streets Coalition will unveil which ones were the best.
Each year, the Coalition analyzes Complete Streets policies enacted in the past year. These laws, resolutions, executive orders, policies and planning and design documents encourage and provide safe access to destinations for everyone, regardless of age, ability, income, ethnicity or how they travel.
Join us for an online event to celebrate this year’s best policies and to hear how communities everywhere can create streets that are safer and more convenient for everyone who uses them.
WHAT:
Celebrate the top Complete Streets policies of 2013
WHEN:
Tuesday, February 18, 2014, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM EST
WHO:
Officials from communities with the highest-scoring policies as well as Complete Streets policy experts and coalition staff
Complete Streets policies—including laws, resolutions, executive orders, policies and planning and design documents—encourage and provide safe access to destinations for everyone, regardless of age, ability, income, ethnicity or how they travel. The Coalition evaluates policies based on 10 policy elements, including the policy’s vision, the project types included and next steps for implementation, among others. The 2012 rankings recognized Indianapolis, IN, as the top scoring policy in the nation that year.
We’ll announce this year’s top communities to our email subscribers early on February 18.Join our mailing list to be the first to know about the winners.
More than 600 jurisdictions at the local, regional, and state levels have now enacted Complete Streets policies. Join us on February 18 to celebrate the best policies of 2013 and safer, more convenient streets that work for everyone.
Bicycling in Mobile
BicycleMobile.org is a an advocacy website devoted to every aspect of bicycling in Mobile, AL. We have lists of group rides, information about bike shops and a list of key issues for advocacy and infrastructure.
