Complete streets increase physical activity: Best practices for adopting effective state and local policies

Built environments predominantly designed for motor vehicle use reduce physical activity levels. However, those with complete streets policies get more people to be more active, more often and increase safely for all. Traveling along and across public rights-of-way has become more difficult and more dangerous for everyone, and, in some locations, impossible for those not traveling in a motor vehicle. Further, the built environment impacts key segments of the population disproportionately. About one-third of all Americans do not drive a motor vehicle. They include older adults, children, people living with disabilities or taking certain medications, and people with limited economic resources. Despite 28% of all trips in metropolitan areas being a mile or less—within easy walking, bicycling or transit distance—72% of these short trips are made by motor vehicle. Complete streets policies increase physical activity by routinely balancing and providing for the needs of all users, of all ages and abilities within a corridor. They also expand performance measures to include key health, safety, mode shift and other indicators of how well the transportation network serves all users. For instance, in Orlando, FL, one complete street conversion resulted in a 23% increase in walking, a 30% increase in bicycling, and a 34% decrease in crashes of all types. From its review of over 130 policies and best practices surveys, the National Complete Streets Coalition staff will describe successful strategies for changing state and local policies to create complete streets to increase physical activity and safety.