Why we need Complete Streets: General

For far too long, engineers and planners designed roadways with only one user in mind: the
vehicle. But now, residents across Michigan are demanding that their streets meet the needs of
all roadway users, regardless of age or ability. They recognize that Complete Streets will make
their communities safer, healthier and stronger.

Safety
What is a Complete Street?

In 2008, 2,084 bicyclists and 2,036 pedestrians
were involved in motor vehicle crashes1

25% of all motor vehicle fatalities were either
bicyclists or pedestrians
Health

In 2008, Michigan had the 9th highest obesity
rate in the country. 25% of Michigan residents
participated in no leisure-time physical activity2

A 2003 report showed that the four million of
physically inactive Michigan adults generated
costs of $9 billion in 2002, via health insurance

A Complete Street is a roadway premiums, lost productivity and Medicaid

designed to meet the needs of all payments3

users, regardless of age or ability. For Environment & Transportation

far too long, local and statewide
In 2005, transportation accounted for 24% of

transportation policy focused solely Michigan’s total greenhouse gas (GHG)

on the needs of motorists. This has emissions. 74% of transportation GHG came

created an unsafe environment for from on-road gasoline vehicles

many nonmotorized sectors of the
Studies show that investing in transportation

population, such as pedestrians, infrastructure can improve air quality and

bicyclists, older citizens, and persons energy efficiency, and reduce noise pollution 4

with disabilities. Streets that are

“complete” will allow everyone to
travel safely and conveniently.
 Economy

Complete Streets will increase
commercial and residential property
values

Studies show that an 85% reduction in
traffic will result in a 5% increase in
residential property values over the first
year, and 30% over the next thirteen
years5

Complete Streets will encourage
economic development:
o Making local businesses’
shops accessible to all users will expand their potential customer base

36.9% of Michiganders are under 18 years old or over 64; 18.7% had disability
status 6
o Improving the walkability of a commercial corridor boosts sales 10-25% in the first year7

How Can I Help?

Have your business/organization join the Michigan Complete Streets Coalition today! The
Coalition is a network of over 70 diverse organizations and businesses throughout Michigan,
who have united to voice their support for Complete Streets initiatives on the local, regional and
statewide level. Visit the “Partners” section at www.micompletestreets.org/ for more
information. Or contact John Lindenmayer, john@lmb.org.

1
See “Michigan Bicycle Crashes,” “2008 Michigan Traffic Crash FACT SHEET: Bicyclists,” “Michigan Pedestrian Crashes” and “2008 Michigan
Traffic Crash FACT SHEET: Pedestrians.” Michigan Traffic Crash, Office of Highway Safety Planning. 2008. Web. 30 June 2010.
<http://www.michigantrafficcrashfacts.org/doc/2008/veh_9.pdf>, <http://www.michigantrafficcrashfacts.org/doc/2008/bicycles2008.pdf>,
<http://www.michigantrafficcrashfacts.org/doc/2008/yeh_10.pdf> and <http://www.michigantrafficcrashfacts.org/doc/2008/pedestrians2008.pdf>
2
“Obesity Trends: Trends by State 1985-2008.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 20 Nov. 2009. Web. 30 June 2010.
< http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html#State>
3
^See above.
4
See “Environmental Benefits of Transportation Investment.” Cambridge Systematics, Inc. Jan. 2002. Web. 30 June 2010. <
http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/images/uploads/Env_Benefits_of_Transportation_Investment.pdf>
5
Bagby, D. Gordon (1980). “The Eff ects of Traffi c Flow on Residential Property Values,” Journal of the American Planning Association, 46:1,
pp. 88-94.
6
See the “American Community Survey 2006-2008” and “2000 Census.” U.S. Census Bureau. 2008. Web. 30 June 2010.
<www.factfinder.census.gov>
7
University of Oxford (2003) Transport Studies Unit, and David Simmons Consultancy. The Eff ect of Urban Quality Improvements on Business
Location. UK Department for Transport.