Kansas City adopts Complete Streets resolution

Today the Kansas City, Missouri City Council adopted a Livable Streets resolution that builds on several existing plans and policies designed to make the city more bikeable and walkable. As of today, more than 1 million Missourians now live in communites with Complete Streets policies.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact: Brent Hugh
Phone: 816-695-6736
Email: director@mobikefed.org
 
Kansas City adopts Livable Streets Resolution.
 
Kansas City, Missouri, January 27, 2011 -  The Missouri Bicycle And Pedestrian Federation proudly announces a giant step forward for bicyclist, pedestrians and motorists today as the Kansas City Council adopts the city's first Livable Streets Resolution.

This is the twelfth Complete Streets policy adopted in Missouri--up from just five policies a year ago.

4th District Councilmember Beth Gottstein initiated the resolution, stating “This resolution will provide safe access to public roads for all users by encouraging transportation improvement plans consider the safety, access and mobility needs of all travelers, regardless of age or ability.”
 
"Councilmember Gottstein has been a tireless supporter of Complete Streets efforts. From her work on the back-in angle parking demonstration to her participation in the annual Car Free Challenge, she has supported the bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit users in Kansas City, MO and across the metro area,” states Eric Rogers, Vice President of the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation.
 
This resolution, together with policy changes recently adopted by the city, helps to ensure that more Kansas City streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities will be able to safely move along and across a complete street.  Kansas City is moving to the forefront of transportation parity in Missouri following the adoption of similar Complete Streets policies in Columbia, De Soto, Ferguson, Crystal City, Festus, Herculaneum, St. Louis, and Lee’s Summit. 

The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) adopted a thoroughgoing Complete Streets Policy earlier this year.

There are over 200 jurisdictions formally committed to Complete Streets according to Barbara McCann, the Executive Director of the National Complete Streets Coalition.

Sarah Shipley of the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation says "It is great to see more Complete Streets policies being adopted in Missouri. It means our roads and streets will be designed for everyone and safer for everyone--the old, the young, people with a disability, people who walk, bicycle, take the bus, or drive."

Full text of the resolution is online.


 For more information on complete streets visit
 
   www.mobikefed.org/completestreets