- It makes sense. Streets aren’t used just for cars, so why should they be designed just for them? Complete Streets take into account the different ways people use roads, to ensure that they are safe and accommodating.
- They improve child safety. Complete Streets allow children the chance to walk, bike, and play safely without danger of traffic. By providing crosswalks, sidewalks, and enforced school zone speed limits, children can have the independence and health benefits of walking to their nearby schools and can safely move throughout their communities.
- They accommodate all citizens. For the one in five Americans who are disabled, roads can be difficult to navigate and dangerous. For older adults, Complete Streets provide continued mobility and independence that may otherwise be lost by not having safe transportation options for people of all ages. Complete Streets provide safety, convenience, and mobility for all people.
They improve community health. Communities with Complete Streets are providing healthy and active options for their citizens. Complete Streets make walking and biking safe alongside other modes of transportation.- They improve transportation. Complete Streets encourage the use of public transportation by making roads, and access to transit, more safe and convenient. Complete Streets can also make public transit more efficient and cost-effective. They can also help drive down the high expenses of individual vehicle transportation and decrease traffic congestion.
- They’re better for the environment. Complete Streets reduce harmful emissions that accelerate climate change and lead to increased use of public transportation and more ecofriendly choices, such as walking and biking.
- They help the economy. Citizens save money by increasing their use of transit, walking, and biking and that saved money can then be used in the local economy. There are also decreased costs from fewer pedestrian and biker accidents. Businesses have also cited economic benefits from having additional walkers and bikers due to Complete Streets Policies. Safe streets have been found to lead to increased property values and foster livable communities.
- They require little, or no, additional funding. Careful planning for Complete Streets means that communities find that they can accomplish many improvements with minimal extra costs.
- Complete Streets ordinances work. More than 600 communities have adopted Complete Street Policies to help improve the safety and accessibility of their roadways.
