2013 Walking Summit

2013Walking Summit

Pursuing Complete Streets in Indiana

Zia Brucaya, Coordinator, Indiana Complete Streets Coalition

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Health by Design

GOALS• Increase walking, biking

and public transit options.

• Increase neighborhood, city and regional connectivity.

• Encourage land use decision-making that promotes public health.

• Reduce dependency on automobiles.

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Policy and Advocacy

Committee

Pedestrian Workgroup

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1. Bloomington MPO, 20092. Madison County MPO, 20103. Northwest Indiana MPO, 20104. City of Columbus, 20105. City of Richmond, 20116. City of Frankfort, 20127. Evansville MPO, 20128. Tippecanoe County MPO, 20129. City of Indianapolis, 201210. City of Westfield, 2012

Complete Streets Policies in IndianaComplete Streets policies now

cover 36% of Hoosiers.

2013 Walking Summit

• Impact a whole population

• Shift public opinion

• Change social norms

• Mobilize resources and improve efficiency

• Build equity across communities

• Outlast political change

Why Pursue a Policy?

2013 Walking Summit

2013Walking Summit

Indy’s Complete Streets Advocacy Campaign

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Advocacy Timeline

•June 2009: hosted a National Complete Streets Coalition workshop in Indianapolis.

•Jan 2010 – Sept 2011: AARP, Health by Design and partners conducted outreach and education.

•Walkability assessments, presentations, meetings, conversations, etc.

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Walkability Assessments

2013 Walking Summit

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Advocacy Timeline

•Early 2011: Complete Streets workgroup formalized.

•January 2012: workgroup members drafted ordinance language.

•Early 2012: partners met with City leadership and Council sponsors.

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The Advocacy Campaign

•April – Aug 2012: Indiana Complete Streets Coalition partners launch their campaign.

•Sign-on letter (59 organizations)•Petition•Media campaign•Social media•Neighborhood meetings•Meetings with decision-makers•Letters to the Editor

AARP speaking with the press

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Success!

•August 2012: unanimously adopted by the City-County Council

•Signed into law by Mayor Ballard on August 23, 2012.

•April 2013: named top policy in the country.

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“Whereas…”

“Indianapolis strives to be a “livable community,” and a well-balanced and connected transportation system that allows for safe walking, biking and efficient, robust public transit is a vital component of a “livable community”…”

“In Marion County, 40% of our children are overweight or at-risk for becoming overweight and nearly two thirds of adults are overweight or obese, and incomplete streets mean many people lack opportunities to be active as part of daily life…”

“…Indianapolis was recently awarded a bronze designation as a “Bicycle Friendly Community” by the League of American Bicyclists…”

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Complete Streets efforts can be stalled by misperceptions of:

• Safety• Cost• Demand and/or need

What you can do:• Outreach and education• Focus on incremental steps• Make it relevant• Make it fun

Common Barriers

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Policy Change Best Practices

• Create an advocacy group• Learn from other coalitions• Engage all stakeholders• Build diverse partnerships• Connect with other initiatives

• Safe Routes to School• Healthy Communities• Aging in Place

• Educate and make your case• Remember that a policy is just the beginning!

Pedbikeimages.org / Mike Cyneki