Friday News – Ordinance in Michigan's Capital

Lansing, MI: City Council unanimously approved a Complete Streets and Non-Motorized Plan Ordinance on Monday night. The new ordinance requires the City to adopt a non-motorized network plan, which would future direct transportation projects to include accommodations for all users. The Plan would be updated on a five-year cycle. The ordinance also bumps up the minimum amount Lansing will spend on non-motorized facilities from 1% (as mandated by state law) to 5%. The Lansing State Journal recently ran an editorial in strong support of the ordinance. Walk and Bike Lansing has more details on the ordinance. (Michigan Complete Streets Coalition, Lansing City Pulse)

Fairhope, AL: The Pedestrian and Bike Trails Committee is drafting a complete streets policy for the city, and the Mayor has sent a letter of support for complete streets to the Alabama Department of Transportation. (Baldwin County Now)

Ankeny, IA: As the City works to update its comprehensive plan, planners are pushing for complete streets with increased green elements to improve residents’ quality of life. (Des Moines Register)

Minnesota: Today is the last day to register for the do.walk do.bike conference, sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. Keynote speakers will include nationally recognized physical activity experts Gil Penalosa, executive director of Walk & Bike for Life, and Andy Clarke, executive director of League of American Bicyclists.

Minnesota: The Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition launched its official website! The Coalition, already composed of 20+ organizations, has a number of ways Minnesotans can get involved and a full schedule of upcoming events.

Montclair, NJ: A complete streets policy is in the works for Montclair. The Mayor recently spoke in favor of the pending resolution, saying it could create “a town that’s much more livable and safe” with increased economic vitality. (Baristanet)

Chattanooga, TN: Philip Pugliese, of Outdoor Chattanooga and the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, recently spoke on the community’s efforts to include a complete streets policy in its Long Range Plan. “I firmly believe that the adoption and implementation of a complete streets policy would be a great start toward creating a walkable, bikeable and livable community,” he says. (Chattarati)

Complete Streets