Completing the streets in Michigan

The topic of Complete Streets came up recently in some of the comments, suggesting that it is time we highlight it more. For background, as it says on the National Complete Streets Coalition website, “Complete streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users.” The hot story in Complete Streets today is in Michigan, and it comes with this gem of photos of an advocate giving testimony.

John Lindenmayer of the League of Michigan Bicyclists testifies at Michigan Complete Streets Hearing. (Photo from LMB website.)

John Lindenmayer, the associate director of the League of Michigan Bicyclists (LMB), wrote an article, cross-posted at the Complete Streets Coalition blog and the Alliance for Biking & Walking’s People Powered Blog, saying they want to move away from “local and statewide car-centric transportation policies focused on accommodating motorists alone and fail[ing] to address the needs of non-motorized roadway users – including pedestrians, bicyclists, older citizens and persons with disabilities.” On LMB’s own blog, they quote a state legislator making this key point: “It doesn’t cost anything to think differently and to plan differently.” UPDATE for those interested in the legislative process: according to the Michigan Complete Streets Coalition, the Michigan House Transportation Committee has voted two Complete Streets bills out of committee.