A new bill in Congress would make streets safer and more accessible nationwide

[thelakelander]

Help for Jacksonville's pedestrian and bicycle deadly streets could be on the way.  An update on a Complete Streets bill from Smart Growth America:

Complete Streets are designed with all users in mind. Complete Streets strategies help everyone, no matter of age, ability or how they chose to travel, get where they need to go quickly, easily and safely. Nationwide, nearly 500 states and localities have adopted a Complete Streets Policy directing their transportation planners and engineers to routinely design and operate the entire right of way to enable safe access for all users, regardless of age, ability, or mode of transportation.

Today, the movement for Complete Streets moved to Capitol Hill. Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Rep. David Joyce (R-OH) are cosponsoring a bill that would make Complete Streets a nationwide standard. The Safe Streets Act of 2013 would encourage safer streets through Complete Streets policy adoption at the state and local level.

full article: http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/2013/06/20/a-new-bill-in-congress-would-make-streets-safer-and-more-accessible-nationwide/?key=30231938

[Dog Walker]

This House of Representatives would never pass anything like that.  "Unfunded mandate, tramples on state's rights, socialist bicycles!"

They should wait until after the mid-term elections.  Some of the knuckle-dragging nutjobs will not be re-elected.  Bye, bye Michelle.

[carpnter]

While having streets like that is a good idea, it is not the job of Congress to mandate this.  This is a state issue when it comes to local streets.

If the roads are funded by federal dollars, they could require this. 

[carpnter]

While having streets like that is a good idea, it is not the job of Congress to mandate this.  This is a state issue when it comes to local streets.

If the roads are funded by federal dollars, they could require this.

At least in your opinion.

What grants Congress the power to mandate this?  Where in the Constitution is Congress granted the authority to regulate local road construction?  When it comes to federally funded highways, sure Congress has the authority to say how they are built, or if the federal government gives a grant to a city or town they certainly get some say in the construction.   But roads that are constructed using state or local funds, the federal government has no say in their construction.   That should be regulated by the state or local government.

[NotNow]

Many people honestly believe that the federal government can do anything it wants.  Sadly, it seems that MOST politicians feel this way.  It never ceases to amaze me how far we have veered from the original intent of our founding principles of government.

Back on topic, has any State instituted this plan?  Has it been proven in any American locality?

[urbaknight]

While having streets like that is a good idea, it is not the job of Congress to mandate this.  This is a state issue when it comes to local streets.

If the roads are funded by federal dollars, they could require this.

That's the problem, the state doesn't care to do this, that's why the feds should step in. When it comes to Florida issues, I will always welcome the feds to rescue us from their stupidity. ( I'm talking about the stupidity of our leaders, not the general population)

[JFman00]

A cursory examination of some of the links: "The Safe Streets Act of 2013 would require each state to implement a Complete Streets policy within two years that ensures all new federally-funded transportation projects accommodate the safety and convenience of all users."

And from the bill itself: apply to each federally funded project of each State department of transportation or metropolitan planning organization transportation improvement program;

If you're going to use federal money, you have to conform to the standard. If states and localities don't want to be subject to it, then they're free to not use federal funding. Seems pretty straightforward to me.

[thelakelander]

^Yeah, I don't see what the problem is.  If you want federal money, comply with federal design guidelines.

[tufsu1]

That's the problem, the state doesn't care to do this, that's why the feds should step in. When it comes to Florida issues, I will always welcome the feds to rescue us from their stupidity. ( I'm talking about the stupidity of our leaders, not the general population)

fact is Florida has done more with complete streets requirements on state roads than most other states for longer....FDOT required bike lanes on new construction and widenings more than 15 years ago...and sidewalk widths have been slightly wider than AASHTO requirements for about as long.

The problem we have is that the roads are still designed for high speeds and the physical landscape around them is crap...that is more a context-sensitive streets issue than a complete streets issue