Philadephia is Getting a Complete Streets Commissioner

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In 2015, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia developed and released a Better Mobility: Philadelphia 2015 plan to guide the discussion for mayoral and Council candidates regarding safe and accessible multimodal transportation in Philadelphia (13.6% Latino). The plan includes 10 strategies and actionable steps, one of which is to establish a Complete Streets Office.

In response to this, and growing demand for Complete Streets-safer streets-Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney didn’t create a Complete Streets Office, but, in February 2016, he created a new city position called the “Complete Streets Commissioner” to focus on multimodal transportation.

Although many cities adopt Complete Streets policies, implementation and enforcement are often challenging. Providing manpower and resources-in the form of a new city position-for the multimodal cause could have a positive affect on implementation of Complete Streets policies, which could have a positive affect on the city’s economy as well as the health of residents. Access to safe, active modes of transportation is associated with decreased rates of obesity and related chronic disease.

In order to build a culture of health it is important to ensure equitable access to safe places to walk and bike by implementing city-wide Complete Streets projects, particularly in areas of town that historically lack safe places to be physically active as well as lack city resources.

Read more here.

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