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Complete Streets Background The city of Seattle is working to increase the safety and accessibility of our streets for all users –pedestrians, transit riders, bicyclists, car drivers, passengers, and freight operators. The 2007 Complete Streets ordinance sets out strong policy direction to balance the needs of all users. The Complete Streets ordinance means that streets undergoing major maintenance and construction must be evaluated by SDOT to make sure that the needs of all users are considered. Each project is evaluated to take into account the unique characteristics of the street and determine how best to balance the needs of pedestrians, transit, bicyclists, freight and cars.
Part of a National Movement
When Seattle passed its Complete Streets ordinance, the city joined a growing group of cities around the country that are designing and building road networks to be safer, more livable and welcoming for everyone. Instituting a Complete Streets policy ensures that transportation planners and engineers consistently design and operate the entire roadway with all users in mind - including bicyclists, transit vehicles and transit riders, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. Cities as close as Tacoma, Portland and San Francisco and as far away as Lawrence, Kansas, Boston, and Buffalo, New York, are all implementing Complete Streets policies. To date, more than 220 jurisdictions have adopted Complete Streets policies or made a written commitment to do so. For more information about the national Complete Streets movement, please visit www.completestreets.org.
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