Editor:

Thanks to the visionary action taken last Monday night by its City Council, Fairhope became the first city in Alabama to join the ranks of 100 municipalities across the U.S. that have passed Complete Streets policies. Fairhope joins cities such as Portland, Dallas, Chicago , Columbus and Charlotte, as well as 35 states that have resolved to consider the safety and convenience of all users (not just cars and trucks) when designing and building any new street, roadway or making any major renovation to an existing one. For nearly a half-century, most transportation planners in this country have virtually ignored the need to provide safe and convenient access for those who don’t drive. These non-drivers include children under age 16, those who don’t own a car, and 21 percent of people over 65. The percentage grows if you include those who prefer to walk or bike to their destinations. The latter group’s numbers are growing.

Recent polls have shown that Americans want to walk and bike more: 52 percent want to bike more while 55 percent want to walk more. The inevitable increase in gasoline costs coupled with the heightened awareness of the obesity epidemic have made many of us rethink the practicality of driving everywhere. Of all trips taken in a given metropolitan area about half are three miles or less while 28 percent are one mile or less. Almost two-thirds of trips less than a mile are now taken in an automobile. There is also the simple pleasure of walking or biking to consider. Most children, for example, have never experienced the pleasure of walking or biking to school that was enjoyed by their parents. Fairhope’s adoption of a Complete Streets policy will enable its residents and visitors to walk and bike more safely and conveniently.

The National Complete Streets Coalition, which includes sponsoring organizations such as AARP, The National Association of Realtors, YMCA of the USA, The American Public Transportation Association and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, provides a wealth of information on its Web site, completestreets.org, that will assist any group hoping to influence transportation planners to build complete streets. The local Complete Streets committee of Smart Coast is also eager to help such groups and can be contacted by emailing info@smartcoast.org.

Thanks again to the Fairhope City Council for their inclusion and forward thinking in meeting the transportation needs of all their constituents by adopting the Complete Streets policy

Chairman, Complete Streets Committee, Smart Coast

Fairhope