Complete Streets
Improved Planning, More Grants, and A Vision for a Better Community
How often do we hear, why isn’t my street fixed, or how come the sidewalks are unsafe for us to walk, or why do certain areas look so bad and difficult to get around by walking, on bike, or by car? Complete street policies create a vision and plan to help in “smart development.” for our community, our businesses, developers, and taxpayers.
In 2018, Council has taken a serious approach towards adopting a Complete Streets best practices resolution. In August, we will be voting on approving Roselle Park’s first ever Complete Streets policy.
What is Complete Streets?
While Complete Street policies have been around for decades in the United States, New Jersey communities began adopting policies since 2010. Since then, 143 New Jersey Municipalities have Complete Street Policies to help plan, design, operate, and maintain streets that are safe for all users of all ages and abilities, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, motorists, and freight vehicles. The intent of the policy is not to improve every street at once, but rather to implement Complete Streets as routine construction, reconstruction, and repaving projects to make roads safe and accessible to automobiles, bicyclists, and pedestrians over time.
Complete Streets Policies and Programs are supported by groups such as AARP, Rutgers University, New Jersey Future, the New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center, and Sustainable Jersey, to name a few.
Why Do We Need Complete Streets Policies?
The New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center says it best...
“We need Complete Streets policies since the alternative – incomplete streets are designed only for the car – “limit transportation choices by making walking, bicycling, and taking public transportation inconvenient, unattractive, and too often, dangerous”. Adopting Complete Streets policies improve transportation options, access to opportunities, safety, physical health, environmental quality, and community and economic vitality. We need Complete Streets policies to ensure that all users of the roadway are routinely considered in transportation projects and provided with safe, convenient, affordable, and equitable transportation options. Without the adoption of a Complete Streets policy, there is no guarantee that current and future projects will be planned and designed for all users of the road.”
The Bottom Line is:
Without a Complete Streets Policy and Plan, we are left with the status quo: spending money without a plan, vision, and priorities for today and for our future. Roselle Park needs to get with the times and implement a Complete Streets plan that puts us in a position to succeed.
How does Complete Streets help Roselle Park?
A Complete Streets policy for Roselle Park is beneficial because it helps us access more grant money, encourages a healthier lifestyle, helps municipalities save money on road projects, improves the environment, and it improves the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, older citizens, and children.
More information on Complete Streets
Want to know more about Complete Streets or what other counties or municipalities have Complete Street policies, visit: http://njbikeped.org/complete-streets-2/
Or go to the NJ Department of Transportation 2017 Complete Streets Guide
In 2018, Council has taken a serious approach towards adopting a Complete Streets best practices resolution. In August, we will be voting on approving Roselle Park’s first ever Complete Streets policy.
What is Complete Streets?
While Complete Street policies have been around for decades in the United States, New Jersey communities began adopting policies since 2010. Since then, 143 New Jersey Municipalities have Complete Street Policies to help plan, design, operate, and maintain streets that are safe for all users of all ages and abilities, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, motorists, and freight vehicles. The intent of the policy is not to improve every street at once, but rather to implement Complete Streets as routine construction, reconstruction, and repaving projects to make roads safe and accessible to automobiles, bicyclists, and pedestrians over time.
Complete Streets Policies and Programs are supported by groups such as AARP, Rutgers University, New Jersey Future, the New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center, and Sustainable Jersey, to name a few.
Why Do We Need Complete Streets Policies?
The New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center says it best...
“We need Complete Streets policies since the alternative – incomplete streets are designed only for the car – “limit transportation choices by making walking, bicycling, and taking public transportation inconvenient, unattractive, and too often, dangerous”. Adopting Complete Streets policies improve transportation options, access to opportunities, safety, physical health, environmental quality, and community and economic vitality. We need Complete Streets policies to ensure that all users of the roadway are routinely considered in transportation projects and provided with safe, convenient, affordable, and equitable transportation options. Without the adoption of a Complete Streets policy, there is no guarantee that current and future projects will be planned and designed for all users of the road.”
The Bottom Line is:
Without a Complete Streets Policy and Plan, we are left with the status quo: spending money without a plan, vision, and priorities for today and for our future. Roselle Park needs to get with the times and implement a Complete Streets plan that puts us in a position to succeed.
How does Complete Streets help Roselle Park?
A Complete Streets policy for Roselle Park is beneficial because it helps us access more grant money, encourages a healthier lifestyle, helps municipalities save money on road projects, improves the environment, and it improves the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, older citizens, and children.
More information on Complete Streets
Want to know more about Complete Streets or what other counties or municipalities have Complete Street policies, visit: http://njbikeped.org/complete-streets-2/
Or go to the NJ Department of Transportation 2017 Complete Streets Guide
| complete-streets-design-guide.pdf |