A Complete Street is designed for all ages, abilities, and modes of travel. On Complete Streets, safe and comfortable access for pedestrians, bicycles, transit users and the mobility-impaired is not an afterthought, but an integral planning feature.

The SCU is advocating that Complete Streets be adopted into our Official Plan.

Edmonton, Calgary, Waterloo, and Ajax have all adopted Complete Streets policies. Ottawa and Hamilton are close to adopting the policy. Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto are drafting Complete Streets Guidelines.

There are ten elements of a Complete Streets policy that work together to ensure that the Complete Streets policy is comprehensive enough to encourage uniform and effective implementation.

Element 1: Language and Intent

Uses strong policy language such as ‘must implement’ or ‘will implement’ when referring to Complete Streets elements.

Element 2: Users and Modes

Must mention, at minimum, that ‘all users’ includes pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users of all ages and abilities.

Element 3: Applies to all Projects

Must apply to all projects including new projects, retrofit/reconstruction projects, and repair/maintenance and/or other projects for the entire right-of-way.

Element 4: Exceptions

Exceptions to the policy are clear and require a procedure for approval.

Element 5: Encourages Connectivity

Aims to create a comprehensive, integrated, connected network to benefit all users and modes.

Element 6: Jurisdictions

Is adoptable by all agencies to cover all roads at the municipal, regional/county/district, and provincial level.

Element 7: Design Criteria

Cites the use of the latest and best design criteria and guidelines to aid in implementation.

Element 8: Community Context

States the context of the roadway and the surrounding community context dictates what Complete Streets elements will be accommodated.

Element 9: Performance Measures

Establishes performance standards with measurable outcomes.

Element 10: Implementation Plan

Includes specific next steps for policy implementation.

For more information about Complete Streets, see Complete Streets Canada and our post here: A Complete Streets Policy for Sudbury!