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Complete Streets are

GOOD NEWS

for everyone

by Beth Brainard
Executive Director of NPC
T he bad news is that Florida leads the country in bicycle
and pedestrian crashes and fatalities. The good news is
that the Florida Department of Transportation revised
its guidelines to ensure that complete streets design becomes
the norm.
A complete street is one that is designed to safely and
efficiently accommodate all its users, not just cars. When
bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, and people of all ages
and physical ability are taken into consideration, as well as
motorized vehicles, a street is designed differently.
On a complete street cars move at a reasonable speed,
bicyclists have space to ride, people can walk to places via
continuous sidewalks, and it is easy to cross the street. Safety is
built into the design.
According to Smart Growth America, elements of a FDOT District 1 Secretary Billy Hattaway, lead Florida
complete street can include: sidewalks, bike lane or wide transportation planning into the 21st Century, and now
paved shoulders, special bus lanes, comfortable and accessible we hope that his successor, L.K. Nandam, will continue
bus stops, ample safe cross walks, median islands, accessible the good work.
pedestrian signals, curb extensions, narrower travel lanes, The City of Naples adopted a complete streets
roundabouts, benches, and other features that allow for safe, policy and is working diligently to incorporate those
comfortable travel. planning principles into roadway redesigns. The Central
There is no “one size fits all” design – each is unique. A Avenue Improvement Project was the first, and the City
complete street in rural Collier County will look very different Redevelopment Agency is leading improvements on 3rd
than one in the City of Naples, because they are designed Avenue South Naples is fortunate that City Council and
within the context of the community. For example out in staff have adopted a thoughtful approach to complete
the county along a high-speed roadway, a complete street streets planning throughout the city.
might include a multiuse pathway set off the road to separate
bicyclists and pedestrians from fast moving vehicles. In an
urban area, there might be bike lanes, parking and sidewalks
along the street. What the two designs will have in common is Beth Brainard is the Executive Director of Naples
that they are configured to be accessible, safe, and efficient for Pathways Coalition (NPC), a non-profit organization
their particular users. that works to create safe, bikeable, walkable communities in
Making complete streets happen requires a paradigm shift Collier County. For more information or to join, visit the
for Florida’s transportation agencies that for decades have been NPC web site at www.naplespathways.org or contact Beth
directed to design roadways with only cars in mind. Former directly at bethbrainard@naplespathways.org.

48 Life in Naples | March 2017