In addition to the recent endorsement of complete streets by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the other reports discussed earlier this month, we’ve learned of a new round of support for complete streets. Both the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) refer to complete streets either by name or in principle. Additionally, the long-anticipated Moving Cooler report mentions complete streets by name in two separate places and discusses the impact complete streets as a movement can have on lowering greenhouse gases in greater detail.
First, in “Health Impact Assessment: A Step Towards Health in All Polices” (subscription required), JAMA discusses the important role Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) can play in enabling project planners to consider the community health effects a particular project or program is likely to have. JAMA gives the example that while air pollution and injury prevention are common in transportation options, the effect of road design on physical activity and obesity is not. HIAs that recommend complete streets would thus cover that public health aspect.
Second, AAP highlights the role physical inactivity has on childhood obesity in “The Built Environment: Designing Communities to Promote Physical Activity in Children.” The policy statement discusses the role a community’s built environment has in encouraging or discouraging physical activity. The statement suggests that in addition to providing green space and recreational facilities for children, establishing policies and programs that enable children to walk or bike to and from school are critical in meeting the recommended daily minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity. This “incidental” exercise can be encouraged by implementing complete street components such as traffic calming single-lane roundabouts, pedestrian islands on high traffic streets, and improved sidewalk aesthetics to made children’s walks more enjoyable.
Finally, Moving Cooler, recently released by the Urban Land Institute and partners, examines strategies to lower greenhouse gases (GHG) in the transportation sector. Complete streets is discussed in several areas of the report and mentioned by name twice. In its discussion of land use and smart growth strategies, the report examines non-motorized transportation strategies that would increase bicycling and walking. The adoption of complete streets policies is specifically mentioned and the other strategies are excellent examples of complete streets components. Later in the report, bicycle and pedestrian activities are included with land use and smart growth strategies as one of the six strategy “bundles” examined in greater detail. In addition to significantly lowering GHG, the report explains these increased opportunities for walking and bicycling will likely lead to improvements in public health, as exercise and activity levels increase.”
Overall, summer 2009 is shaping up to be an important time of recognition for the complete streets movement, which will help push forward our legislation, the Complete Streets Act of 2009, when Congress reconvenes this September. If you haven’t done so yet, now is the time to set up a meeting with your Members of Congress while they are still home for August recess. If you don’t have time to attend a meeting, make sure to call their office and encourage them to cosponsor the Complete Streets Act of 2009. Don’t forget to mention you saw complete streets discussed in the above journals to back up your support!