The National Complete Streets Coalition, a program of Smart Growth America, today released the Best Complete Streets Policies of 2018 which recognized the hard work by the Town of Amherst to draft and institute a new Complete Streets policy, naming it one of the ten best in the country passed in 2018.
Amherst joins a long list of 1,477 communities that have adopted Complete Streets policies as of the end of 2018, making a commitment to moving people, not vehicles, as the highest priority for the local transportation network. Amherst landed the eighth spot on the list of ten best in the country for the policy.
“Policies like the one passed in Amherst are urgently needed,” said Emiko Atherton, director of the National Complete Streets Coalition. “A strong Complete Streets policy is the first critical step toward making safety a reality across the country, and we applaud Amherst for their hard work on passing their Complete Streets policy.”
“It is important to recognize the many Amherst community members who staffed our Public Transportation, Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee, which started this process and the Transportation Advisory Committee that finished it,” said Guilford Mooring, Superintendent of Public Works for Amherst. “Our department and the Planning department supported their efforts,” he added.
Streets are a vital part of livable, attractive communities. Everyone, regardless of age, ability, income, race, or ethnicity, ought to have safe, comfortable, and convenient access to community destinations and public places–whether walking, driving, bicycling, or taking public transportation. A Complete Streets approach integrates people and place in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of our transportation networks. This helps to ensure streets are safe for people of all ages and abilities, balance the needs of different modes, and support local land uses, economies, cultures, and natural environments.
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The National Complete Streets Coalition, a program of Smart Growth America, is a non-profit, non-partisan alliance of public interest organizations and transportation professionals committed to the development and implementation of Complete Streets policies and practices. A nationwide movement launched by the Coalition in 2004, Complete Streets is the integration of people and place in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of transportation networks.
Smart Growth America envisions a country where no matter where you live, or who you are, you can enjoy living in a place that is healthy, prosperous, and resilient. We empower communities through technical assistance, advocacy, and thought leadership to realize our vision of livable places, healthy people, and shared prosperity.
Questions? Contact Amherst DPW at (413) 259-3050
Click here to visit the Amherst Transportation Advisory Committee Page
