FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Mary Trupo
Director of Communications
publicrelations@clvhts.com
CITY OF CLEVELAND HEIGHTS POLICY FOR SAFER STREET DESIGN RECOGNIZED BY NATIONAL GROUP AS THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH, 05/8/2019 - 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 Cleveland Heights to draft and institute a new Complete Streets policy, naming it number one, the best policy in the country passed in 2018.
Cleveland Heights 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.
"Policies like the one passed in Cleveland Heights are urgently needed," said Emiko Atherton, director of the National Complete Streets Coalition. "The number of people struck and killed while walking has increased by 35 percent in the last decade nationally, at the same time that overall traffic fatalities have gone down. The good news is that we already have the solution: designing and building streets that are safe for everyone who needs to use them. A strong Complete Streets policy is the first critical step toward making that a reality across the country, and we applaud Cleveland Heights for their hard work."
"To have one of the best Complete Streets policies in the nation is a testament to the collaborative work of highly capable and dedicated staff, residents, and elected officials," said City Manager Tanisha Briley. "Councilwoman Mary Dunbar, Planning Director Richard Wong, and the residents who volunteer their time on the City’s Transportation Advisory Committee deserve special recognition for their work in designing an award-worthy policy that will help ensure our streets are safe and comfortable for all users regardless of mode of transportation or ability. We are truly excited to receive this national recognition for our efforts."
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.
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.
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. They empower communities through technical assistance, advocacy, and thought leadership to realize their vision of livable places, healthy people, and shared prosperity.
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