Complete Streets
Complete Streets are streets for everyone.
Complete Streets is an approach to planning, designing, building, operating, and maintaining streets that enable safe access for all people who need to use them, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.
A strong Complete Streets Policy specifies how a community will plan, design, and maintain streets so they are safe for all users of all ages and abilities. A strong policy begins to transform a community’s practices, processes, and plans.
Originally adopted as a resolution in 2016, the City of Fort Wayne's existing Complete Streets Resolution has become outdated and does not address 10 critical elements outlined in Smart Growth America’s Complete Streets Policy Framework.
The Complete Streets Policy Framework represents the best practices for creating a strong policy. The 10 policy elements are based on decades of collective expertise in transportation planning and design and created in consultation with National Complete Streets Coalition’s steering committee members and a group of national stakeholders consisting of engineers, planners, researchers, and advocates.
Our goal is to amend our existing Complete Streets Policy Resolution and adopt it as an ordinance.
Whether you are a pedestrian, bicyclist, motorist, or transit rider, you deserve access to safe and accessible streets.
The city of Fort Wayne adopted their original Complete Streets resolution in 2016, which showed their commitment to safety for all road users, not just those traveling by car. While this is a necessary first step, Smart Growth America’s Complete Streets Policy Framework has identified areas for improvement in the current resolution. One major improvement includes upgrading the existing resolution to a binding legal ordinance.
Why does Fort Wayne need a Complete Streets ordinance?
Smart Growth America’s “Dangerous by Design” report outlines how poor road design has caused an increase in pedestrian and cyclist fatalities to a 40-year high across the country. Indiana is following this trend. The Fort Wayne Police Department has reported more pedestrian deaths due to being struck by a car in the last four years. These statistics highlight the importance of upgrading the Fort Wayne Complete Streets resolution to an ordinance.
Unlike a resolution, an ordinance has the force of law behind it. It requires compliance from all relevant parties, including city planners and developers. Ordinances also provide clear, enforceable standards and guidelines, which reduces the risk of inconsistent applications. A Complete Streets ordinance would ensure that all future street/transit projects and renovations are designed with the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users in mind.
Additionally, resolutions are more easily changed or ignored by future administrations. Ordinances represent binding long-term commitments that provide stability for sustained improvements throughout the city. The adoption of this ordinance would demonstrate the City of Fort Wayne’s commitment to the community and its safety.
Fort Wayne is a thriving city, drawing more and more residents every year. Since 2010, the city has grown by over 7% and reached a population of over 270,000 local residents. After Indianapolis, Fort Wayne is the second most populous city in Indiana. These numbers show that more and more people are coming to Fort Wayne and these individuals desire accessibility. The 15-minute city (residents’ daily needs are within a 15-minute walk, cycle or public transit ride away) is gaining popularity among both U.S. residents and policy makers, indicating a need for Fort Wayne to continue to improve their transportation infrastructure.
Our vision is to create a safe and welcoming environment for residents of all ages and abilities.
By furthering our commitment to a Complete Streets approach, we can create a city where residents of all ages and abilities can move safely and efficiently, fostering a healthier, more connected, and vibrant community.
A people-focused approach to traffic safety identifies and prioritizes the safety of those who are most exposed to danger, those who are most vulnerable to danger, and those who bear disproportionate risk of injury or death—namely people outside of vehicles, older adults, people with disabilities, people of color, and people walking in lower-income areas.
Amending our resolution will ensure the safety of our city’s residents, provide accountability, and establish a lasting commitment to equitable, accessible transportation options.
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