Rina Cutler addresses the National Complete Streets Coalition’s annual dinner.
Friends and partners of the National Complete Streets Coalition gathered in Washington, DC last night to celebrate the Complete Streets movement, to discuss the Coalition’s work over the last year and to recognize the annual support from the Coalition’s 50 partner organizations.
The evening’s featured guest was Rina Cutler, Deputy Mayor for Transportation and Utilities for the city of Philadelphia. In her remarks, Cutler highlighted Philadelphia’s strategies for implementing Complete Streets. The idea of Complete Streets has grown from a minor issue endorsed by a small corps of local advocates into what Cutler described as a “citywide revolution” with widespread support.
"Change is the scariest thing in a bureaucracy," says Dep. Mayor Cutler. #CompleteStreets part of the revolution, driven from community.
— Complete Streets (@completestreets) January 15, 2014
Cutler explained her agency successfully used pilot projects to implement some Complete Streets strategies like road diets and bike lanes throughout the city. Many Philadelphia residents were initially wary of the changes. Effective local outreach helped persuade business owners and residents to allow a trial period for projects to see how they would work in practice.
Pilot programs have been important in Philadelphia's success in creating safe streets for all users, notes Dep. Mayor Cutler.
— Complete Streets (@completestreets) January 15, 2014
Cutler applied her experience in Philadelphia to communities nationwide. She urged city and state DOTs to work together to help create and define an urban agenda that can better address the mobility challenges and opportunities distinct to the nation’s cities and urban areas.
Align cities, transit agencies, & state DOTs to define real urban agenda. Cutler optimistic about readiness to hear and embrace it.
— Complete Streets (@completestreets) January 15, 2014
In addition, Roger Millar, Director of the National Complete Streets Coalition, spoke of the Coalition’s eventful 2013, including the passage of the nation’s 500th Complete Streets policy in July. Millar was also excited to announce that since the passage of the historic 500th policy in Memphis, TN, over 100 more have been passed, bringing the total number of Complete Streets policies in the U.S. to over 600.
If you are interested in attending next year’s dinner or would like to learn more about Complete Streets efforts around the country, be sure to join the National Complete Streets Coalition’s mailing list.