SLC Mayor Issues Executive Order on Complete Streets
SALT LAKE CITY-Mayor Anderson has signed an executive order requiring Salt Lake City to accommodate the transportation needs of bicyclists and pedestrians in future road construction or reconstruction projects. The order, which is attached to this press release, is intended to further promote walking and bicycling as safe, effective alternatives to automobile transportation, and to ensure City transportation projects fully plan for the variety of uses of public rights of way over the long term.
“Salt Lake City government is committed to reducing our harmful dependence on the automobile by fully providing for the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians on City streets,” said Mayor Anderson. “With the complete streets executive order, Salt Lake City residents can look forward to a brighter future where increased bicycle and pedestrian travel will mean less air pollution and more inviting, dynamic city neighborhoods.”
The executive order provides clear requirements and guidelines for the incorporation of bicycle and pedestrian ways into City road construction and reconstruction projects. The order also establishes a Complete Streets Committee, consisting of the Transportation Director, Planning Director, City Engineer, and, where appropriate, the Airport Director, to judge whether including walkways or bikeways on a given public right of way is proportionate to the projected use of the right of way by pedestrians and bicyclists.
The complete streets executive order builds on a host of efforts by the Anderson administration to encourage bicycle and pedestrian travel. Since 2000, the City has added over fifteen miles of bicycle lanes to Salt Lake City streets. To promote pedestrian safety, the Transportation Division has, since 2000, equipped 189 crosswalks with orange pedestrian flags, installed over 1000 pedestrian countdown timers at every City-owned traffic signal, and painted 500 “LOOK” crosswalk pavement indicators on our streets, in addition to many other improvements. The Mean Streets 2004 Report recognized Salt Lake City as the most improved city in the US for pedestrian safety, while America Walks honored the City’s efforts on behalf of pedestrian safety with the “City at Your Feet” award in 2006.
“Salt Lake City government is committed to reducing our harmful dependence on the automobile by fully providing for the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians on City streets,” said Mayor Anderson. “With the complete streets executive order, Salt Lake City residents can look forward to a brighter future where increased bicycle and pedestrian travel will mean less air pollution and more inviting, dynamic city neighborhoods.”
The executive order provides clear requirements and guidelines for the incorporation of bicycle and pedestrian ways into City road construction and reconstruction projects. The order also establishes a Complete Streets Committee, consisting of the Transportation Director, Planning Director, City Engineer, and, where appropriate, the Airport Director, to judge whether including walkways or bikeways on a given public right of way is proportionate to the projected use of the right of way by pedestrians and bicyclists.
The complete streets executive order builds on a host of efforts by the Anderson administration to encourage bicycle and pedestrian travel. Since 2000, the City has added over fifteen miles of bicycle lanes to Salt Lake City streets. To promote pedestrian safety, the Transportation Division has, since 2000, equipped 189 crosswalks with orange pedestrian flags, installed over 1000 pedestrian countdown timers at every City-owned traffic signal, and painted 500 “LOOK” crosswalk pavement indicators on our streets, in addition to many other improvements. The Mean Streets 2004 Report recognized Salt Lake City as the most improved city in the US for pedestrian safety, while America Walks honored the City’s efforts on behalf of pedestrian safety with the “City at Your Feet” award in 2006.