Building Streets That Work for Everyone in Traverse City

On September 8th, the City Commission will introduce the Complete Streets policy - and your voice can help shape its future. By showing up and speaking in support, we can take a big step toward safer, more connected streets for everyone in Traverse City.

In our city, every trip across town should be safe, convenient, and accessible - whether you’re walking, biking, catching the bus, or driving. Yet too often, our streets have been designed for cars first, and people second. This leaves gaps in safety, limits how kids get to and from school and parks, and makes it harder for residents to choose healthy, affordable, and sustainable ways to travel.

I’ve spent the past eight months actively participating in the city’s ad hoc Complete Streets Policy Committee meetings as a community member. My goal has been to help ensure every user - pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, drivers, and people with disabilities - can move through Traverse City safely.

What Complete Streets Means for Traverse City…

Complete Streets is more than adding sidewalks or bike lanes. It’s about:

• Safe routes for kids to walk or bike to school without worry

• Better connections to parks, trails, and neighborhood gathering spots

• Year-round access with lighting, crosswalks, and snow-cleared paths

• Options for residents of all ages, incomes, and mobility levels

What is a complete street?

A Complete Street is a transportation design approach that prioritizes the safe and convenient movement of all road users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit riders, and motorists, regardless of age or ability. It involves designing or retrofitting streets to accommodate various transportation modes, ensuring safety and accessibility for everyone. 

My Perspective from the BATA Board

As a member of the Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) Board of Directors, I see firsthand how important safe, connected streets are for public transit.

A bus stop might be only a block away, but if there’s no sidewalk or safe crossing, many people - especially children, seniors, or those with mobility challenges - simply can’t use it.

Public transit works best when it’s part of a network of safe walking and biking routes. If we want to reduce traffic congestion, cut emissions, and make Traverse City more livable, we must build streets that make those connections possible.

Safer Routes for Kids and Families

Parents shouldn’t have to choose between convenience and safety. By adopting a strong Complete Streets policy, we can ensure:

• Protected crossings near schools and parks

• Traffic calming in neighborhoods where kids walk and bike

• Clear signage and lighting so routes are safe year-round

A Vision for Our City’s Future

Investing in Complete Streets is an investment in our health, safety, and quality of life.
It’s about more than asphalt and paint - it’s about giving every resident the freedom to get where they need to go, in the way that works best for them, without fear.

This work is already underway, and with continued leadership, we can move from policy to action.

As City Commissioner, I will keep pushing for designs that put people first, connect our neighborhoods, and keep our kids safe every step of the way.

How You Can Support

• Attend the City Commission meeting this Monday to support the introduction of the Complete Streets policy.

• Come back for the next meeting to help ensure it passes.
  Your presence and voice can help make this vision a reality

References & Good Reads

1. U.S. Department of Transportation – Complete Streets
   https://www.planning.dot.gov/planning/topic_complete_streets.aspx

2. American Heart Association – Complete Streets Improve Street Safety & Health
   https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/complete-streets

3. Voices for Healthy Kids – Complete Streets Toolkit
   https://voicesforhealthykids.org/campaign-resources/toolkits/complete-streets

4. Smart Growth America – Complete Streets for Low-Income Children: A Focus on Both Sides of Safety https://smartgrowthamerica.org/complete-streets-for-low-income-children-a-focus-on-both-sides-of-safety

5. Bay Area Transportation Authority – Next Wave Transit Master Plan
   https://www.bata.net/news/transit-master-plan.html

6. City of Traverse City – Mobility Action Plan
   https://www.traversecitymi.gov/projects/mobility-action-plan.html

7. The Ticker – More Complete Streets, Arts Funding, New Positions, Capital Projects: A Look at the City’s 2025-26 Budget
   https://www.traverseticker.com/news/more-complete-streets-arts-funding-new-positions-capital-projects-a-look-at-the-citys-2025-26-budget