State legislators can promote physical activity by developing policies to encourage school districts to keep their facilities open to the community, during non-school hours. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)--a bi-partisan organization that provides legislators with research and technical information about the most pressing state issues--convened to discuss the use of such policies, known as shared use agreements, to address the issue of childhood obesity. According to the NCSL, in 2011 four states--Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, and Tennessee--enacted legislation to encourage shared use agreements in their states. In 2012, the states of California, New Mexico, New York, and Pennsylvania left similar legislation pending. Learn more from the NCSL about the 2011 shared ...
In March of 2012, after two years of public debates and overcoming various challenges, the East Harlem Community Board finally approved plans to build protected bike lanes and pedestrian refuge islands. Melissa Mark-Viverito, New York City Council member for district 8, joined with city officials and members of the community to create a campaign to inform the public of the benefits protected bike lanes could bring to East Harlem. According to Mark-Viverito, residents from the predominantly Puerto Rican community of East Harlem suffer from disproportionately high rates of diabetes and other chronic diseases. Mark-Viverito speaks of that lack of bike lanes as a social justice issue. Protected bike lanes enhance safety by creating physical separation between moving traffic and bike lanes. ...
In 2012, the Better Block Team and City of San Antonio residents took some time to see what West Commerce, a four-lane street, would look like if improvements were made to encourage walking and biking. The Better Block event allowed citizens to imagine what their community would look like with temporary bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. City officials looked to the reaction of constituents to decide how funds from the 2012 bond program would be spent. Read More About San Antonio's Better Block Experiment Recap of Final San Antonio Better Block for 2012-Case Study: Transportation and Retail Study Testing West Commerce Temporary Transformation into a Better Block (San Antonio Express ...
In 2010, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico adopted a policy (S. 1857) for Complete Streets or "Calles Completas." The bill lists reasons for why a Complete Streets policy should be adopted, citing lack of physical activity, and high levels of obesity, among other reasons duly related to needed improvements to transportation infrastructure. AARP a national organization that helps improve the quality of life for individuals age 50 and older, worked in Puerto Rico to train locals to conduct sidewalk assessments. This blog, "Rescate el acceso a sus calles y aceras," written in Spanish lists ways that the community can be a part of implementing the Complete Streets policy. Individuals interested in the implementation of Complete Streets in Puerto Rico can contact AARP by email, phone, mail, ...
In 2008, the State of California adopted a Complete Streets policy (AB 1358) to ensure that local governments would develop roads in a manner suitable to bicyclists, children, motorists, pedestrians, seniors, and public transportation. In response, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), the Congestion Management Agency for Santa Clara County, created a memorandum which provides good examples of ways local communities can comply with the California Complete Streets Act. In order to comply with the new law the VTA recommends of of the following: A general plan circulation element that complies with AB 1358; or
A Complete Streets Policy Resolution The VTA was charged with ensuring that communities are in compliance with the Complete Streets Act, by January ...
In August of 2011, the state of New York adopted a Complete Streets policy. This policy states that all county, local, and state transportation projects will consider the access and mobility needs of all users, of all ages, by using complete street designs. Resources
The text for New York's Complete Streets policy (New York's Complete Streets Policy- S05411). A slideshow presentation, created by TVGA Consultants, which provides information on the need for complete streets in New York. View charts, stats, and photos related to New York's Complete Streets policy. This American Public Health Association's (APHA) factsheet describes what Complete Streets are and provides examples of Complete Street ...
During the 2011 82(R) legislative session, Texas Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) & Linda Harper-Brown (R-Irving) filed a bill (SB 513) to adopt a statewide Complete Streets policy. A companion bill (HB 1105), filed in the House, also provided a Complete Streets policy. Although, these bills were not approved by the House or Senate, advocacy groups such as BikeTexas, continue to strive for the passage of a statewide Complete Streets policy during the 2013 legislative session. Meanwhile, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has adopted guidelines, in response to a 2010 USDOT federal policy, which encourages the development of streets designed for bicycle and pedestrian transportation. Complete Street Bills 2011 Complete Streets Policy for Texas SB 513 Complete Streets Bill ...
A Federal bill (H.R.4348), entitled the "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act" (MAP-21), signed by president Obama in July of 2012, has changed the way funds for bike and pedestrian walkways are distributed by states across the nation. The law combines funds from the Transportation Enhancements program and the Safe Routes to School program into one new fund called Transportation Alternatives (TA). While some may worry that this policy will have a negative impact on the creation of walkways and bike lanes, others are finding new ways to maximize opportunities for alternative forms of transportation. New Funding Mechanism for Safe Routes to School This blog post from DC.Streetsblog.org explains some of the changes in funding brought on by MAP-21 and how states have ...
According to the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF), in September 2012, Governor Jerry Brown of California signed The California State Park Stewardship Act (AB 1589) and AB 1478, which require the state's Parks and Recreation Department to develop a plan to increase state park revenues by July 1, 2013. These bills will allocate $20 million in previously-undisclosed park funds, establish moratorium on closures, and offer new opportunities for revenue. Read the CSPF press release CSPF Applauds Governor Brown for Signing AB 1478 & AB 1589 to learn more about how these laws will help in managing California's parks system. In 2010, Californians voted against Proposition 21, which would have charged an $18 vehicle fee, to help fund and maintain parks. Between 2010-2012, 70 parks in ...
