The Michigan Complete Streets Coalition is excited to announce that a package of Complete Streets bills (HB 6151 & HB 6152) were introduced last night in the Michigan House. Both bills were referred to the Transportation Committee.
HB 6151, states that “the Department [MDOT], local road agencies, and municipalities that receive appropriations under this act [Act 51] shall adopt complete streets policies” within two years.
The proposed legislation would require the “adequate accommodation, in all phases of project planning, development, construction, maintenance, and operation of all users of the transportation system, including, but not limited to, pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit users, children, older individuals, motorists and individuals with disabilities.”
The bill also creates a Complete Streets Advisory Council at the state level to “assist local road agencies and municipalities with implementation of Complete Streets Policies.”
The Coalition worked closely with bill sponsors Representative Jon Switalski and House Transportation Chair Pam Byrnes in crafting the bill language. The Coalition also helped to develop specific exceptions in line with the National Complete Streets Coalition’s recommendations that take into consideration exorbitant cost (20% of the total project cost) as well as “urban, suburban or rural context in which a project is located.”
Such exemptions would have to be approved by a primary transportation planning authority such as MDOT, a metropolitan planning organization, or the regional, county or city agency responsible for planning and approving the project.
The companion bill, HB 6152, would update Michigan’s Planning Enabling Act by adding non-motorized transportation, Complete Streets and traffic calming as required elements of a municipal master plan.
We encourage individuals and organizations to contact their State Representatives (see sample letter below) in support of both bills.
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15 comments
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May 21, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Rosemary Shay
Walkways by roads would be so helpful. My husband has dementia and we have no sidewalks to walk on. Walks and rides in the car are so calming to him. Plus it is good exercise.
May 21, 2010 at 7:50 pm
t.clark
who is my state representive? I live in BRIGHTON MI 48116 I am in favor of more walking and bike paths.
May 21, 2010 at 11:57 pm
League of Michigan Bicyclists
You can put your 10 digit zip code in at: http://www.votesmart.org/ and it will tell you who your Representative is. If you don’t know your 10 digit zip you can look that up by putting your address in at http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp
May 21, 2010 at 7:51 pm
t.clark
I am in favor of more paths and walk ways.
May 21, 2010 at 9:24 pm
John Rokas
Pass the Complete Streets Bills HB6151 and HB6152.
May 21, 2010 at 10:03 pm
william scharf
Lets have non motorized vehicle lanes.
May 21, 2010 at 10:10 pm
doris sain
Please support bills HP 6151-6152. I have a brief story to share with you. About 9 years ago I received a Russian entrepreneur in my home for a month. She was an educator. Every work day I took her to a different school or college to observe. At the end of 3 weeks I ask her what impressed her most about the USA. Much to my surprise, she said our high ways. Living in a city, she was not able to visit grandparents in the winter
who lived in the country because the roads were impossible to use. Today I would point out bike trails, walk paths around quiet lakes with benches to rest on, etc.
May 21, 2010 at 10:21 pm
janette price
this is something needed. someareas do this well and in other areas walikng, biking and other non motorized way of travel or aqctivity is not good. I am still so sorry public golf courses closed in lansing. frandor was the only course for beginners and where seniors could walk. everwhere else, I must use a cart as it is too hard on my knee. I want to teach the grands, but there basically are no other courses like frandor
May 22, 2010 at 2:44 am
Kenneth N. Downing
We have often noticed while riding our bikes and walking that no allowance for bikers and walkers is provided. Such non allowances have discouraged bikers and walkers.
Sincerely, Lu and Ken Downing, Avid walkers and bikers
May 22, 2010 at 3:33 am
Al Vinson
I am in favour of more laines an or sidewalks in our cities an in ruial areas where bicycler can ride safely both night and day.
May 22, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Shawn
Definitely would like more options for biking and walking to get to major areas!
May 22, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Cheryl Myers
Michigan should always plan to have walkable/ bikeable paths
in every neighberhood! Another much needed item, is the addtion of benches for those of us who are disabled or elderly
for all paths/streets, are benches to wait and rest along the way!
Also there are too many bus stops to count, that do not have benches, when most of our buses schedules are once every hour!
May 22, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Conrad L. Donakowski
More freedom to choose the way to move about is a good investment. Everything interacts: more exercise, long-term economical use of resources, less pollution, more secure public places because more pedestrians are around, and just the chance to meet other people face to face.
Let’s do it!
CLD
May 23, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Ilona Crisp
I think this is a great idea, we could all use more exercise. These would be perfect and safe, too. Add some benches for us who don’t move easily but want to enjoy this wonderful exercise.
May 25, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Virtual Lobby Day « Michigan Complete Streets Coalition
[...] in person with their representatives to voice their support for Complete Streets legislation, Michigan House Bills 6151 and 6152. If you’re unable to attend the event, you can still help out fellow bicyclists by participating [...]