Implement Complete Streets Policies

Background:  In California, Complete Streets Policy Legislation exists at the state level with AB1358 (2008), requiring cities and counties to include complete streets policies as part of their general plans as they are updated.  There is also statewide policy on Complete Streets at Caltrans through Deputy Directive 64-R1, and revisions to the CA Highway Design Manual are taking place now.  Throughout California, many counties and other local jurisdictions have, or are in the process of implementing complete streets policies.

Complete Streets are streets for everyone. They are designed, maintained and operated to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities must be able to safely move along and across a complete street. Complete Streets policies are viewed as a key element for achieving Safe Routes to School goals, as children are one of our most vulnerable roadway users, and there will never be enough stand-alone Safe Routes to School funding to fix all of the state’s safety problems. Each time a street is repaved or built creates the opportunity to design a road for all modes.

Policy Leads/Action Teams:

• Co-Chair, Dave Snyder, California Bicycle Coalition
• Safe Route to Schools Technical Assistance Resource Center (Staffers: Kristin Haukom, Justine Hearn, Patti Horsley, and Victoria Custodio)
• Jean Armbuster, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
• Gail Carlson Safe Routes To School Program, Riverside County Department of Public Health
• Tony Dang, California Walks
• Kathleen Ferrier,  Walk SanDiego
• Gayle  Haberman, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
• Jennifer Hernandez, Cultivo Consulting
• David Hoffman, California Bicycle Coalition
• Alison Kendall, Kendall Planning + Design
• Jessica Meaney, Safe Routes to School National Partnership
• Chris Morfas, Sacramento Air Quality Management District
• Leah Ostenberg, WalkSanDiego
• Karla Perez Cordero, TransForm–Alameda County Safe Routes to Schools Program
• Kathleen Ferrier, WalkSanDiego
• Terry Preston, WALKSacramento
• Steven L. Sims, Go Bike USA
• Alan Thompson, Southern California Association of Governments
• Cesca Wright, Cities, Counties and Schools (CCS) Partnership
• KC Yellapu, Linscott, Law & Greenspan, Engineers

Goals:

1. Support implementation of complete streets efforts across the state and draw the link between Complete Streets and SRTS.
2. Further expand conversations of transportation planning to include the needs of all users regardless of age, income and/or abilities for children, families and community members.

Essential Network Tasks through 2011:

• Support the implementation of AB 1358, track its progress
• Publicize and work to ensure that Caltrans’ DD-64-R1 policy is being implemented at the statewide and District levels, and monitor and work with Caltrans as all of manuals are being updated.
• Work to ensure that barriers and challenges for low-income communities in making improvements for all users, regardless or age or ability, are addressed.
• Look for opportunities to include Complete Streets implementation into policy frameworks and targets that are being developed for the implementation of AB32 and SB375, the state’s climate legislation which is aimed at reducing car trips.