New Jersey Adopts Complete Streets Policy for Residents’ Safety

Four counties and 49 municipalities in the state of New Jersey have adopted a “complete streets” policy.  According to njbikeped.org, and thealternativepress.com, New Jersey’s complete streets policy is the best in the nation.

Complete streets accomplish the following:

• Create safe bicycle lanes.
• Make routes to school much safer.
• Increase the downtown population.
• Increase sales in downtown businesses.
• Decrease bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents.

Improve the health of the community by increasing the number of people walking in the downtown area by providing them with safer places to walk.

In Montclair, the complete streets policy adopted there has helped make the downtown area more accessible.  Local governments concerned about the cost of complete streets need not worry.  Montclair, for example, completed the project with a million in grant money plus one half million more in interest-free loans.  Complete streets are worth much more than they cost because they revive the health of downtowns as well as help communities to grow.

Young people prefer living in communities where they have the freedom to ride bicycles, walk, or use public transportation.  Essex County, Glen Ridge, Montclair, and Maplewood are being looked at as models by other communities across New Jersey.

According to the National Complete Streets Coalition, streets in our cities and towns should be for everyone, old or young.  They should safely accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists, wheelchair users, motorists, or those who ride busses.  By putting in place a complete streets policy, city planners will be creating streets that are safe for everyone to use.

At the firm of Lependorf & Silverstein, our New Jersey bicycle accident attorneys strongly believe that New Jersey streets should be made safe for all those who use them.  That includes bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages.  If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle crash that was caused by the carelessness or negligence of another, call us at (609) 240-0040 or complete our online contact form for a cost-free consultation.