Complete Streets in New Jersey
What are Complete Streets?
Complete streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users – pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Instituting a Complete Streets policy ensures that agencies routinely design and operate the entire right of way to enable safe access for all users. New Jersey has become a national leader in the Complete Streets movement, being among the first states in the US to adopt a Complete Streets policy.
How can I learn more about Complete Streets?
There are several organizations and resources in New Jersey that can help with developing and implementing local Complete Streets policies, including:
- The New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center collects all adopted Complete Streets policies around New Jersey.
- A short video, The Complete Streets Movement in NJ, highlights municipalities that have embraced Complete Streets.
- The Making Complete Streets a Reality Guidebook includes information on developing Complete Streets policies, updating local policies and procedures and more.
- The New Jersey Department of Transportation Complete Streets website includes information on success stories, workshops, etc.
Complete Streets and Safe Routes to School – Perfect Together!
Safe Routes to School is a national initiative to create safer and more accessible environments for students to walk and bicycle to and from school. The New Jersey Safe Routes to School Resource Center provides statewide technical assistance in implementing programs and activities to make walking and biking to and from school an appealing and safe daily activity. Complete Streets and Safe Routes to School have numerous synergies, so it is only natural for them to work together to advocate for and to strengthen the practice of safely walking and bicycling to and from schools and throughout our communities.
New Jersey’s eight Safe Routes to School Regionals Coordinators offer a variety of services including help with Complete Streets and Safe Routes to School initiatives. Contact one in your area.
