Building Streets That Work for Everyone in Traverse City

On October 20th, the City Commission will be presented with a well-thought-out draft of a Complete Streets Policy. (Policy Draft is pasted below this article - received from the Interim City Clerk on October 13).

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 10 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.

Very soon, 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. I’ll update this once I have the exact date.

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 on October 20 and December 8 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!

Draft Policy:
Complete Streets Policy 

Traverse City, Michigan

1. Vision and Purpose

The purpose of this Complete Streets Policy is to create an equitable and effective transportation network where all users can travel safely, conveniently, and efficiently; and to set clear, measurable goals so that progress may be fairly evaluated. Traverse City aims to provide a complete and connected transportation system that enhances safety, health, and quality of life. 

This policy prioritizes sustainable transportation modes such as bicycling, walking, rolling, micro-mobility, and public transit. Additionally, it supports climate mitigation efforts by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through increased use of non-motorized and public transportation. A well-designed Complete Streets network also contributes to economic vitality by improving access to businesses and services for all residents.

The policy shall be reviewed initially after one year, and at least every three years thereafter, and updated as deemed necessary.

2. Equity, Accessibility, and Safety

While this policy applies citywide, Traverse City will prioritize Complete Streets improvements in historically underinvested and underserved neighborhoods. All projects shall consider the needs of all users, including persons of all ages and abilities.

• Projects in areas with lower-income populations, high senior residency, youth, or limited mobility options.

• Areas identified through equity mapping tools and public input as needing better access to transportation.

3. Commitment in All Projects and Phases

Complete Streets principles shall be applied to all transportation projects, including new construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, repaving, restriping, and rehabilitation. The City shall ensure safe and continuous access for all modes of transportation during construction or maintenance work. The City Commission has pledged to commit 1% of the Annual Budget to be used for Complete Streets projects.

Not every street is appropriate for all modes of transportation. Rather, a network approach that considers context and recognizes that needs vary according to a number of factors including multi-modal use, traffic volumes, key corridors, emergency routes, and other design criteria is necessary to accommodate all users in a holistic manner.

4. Exceptions

Exceptions to this policy will only be granted where:

• Data indicates that establishing new facilities such as bikeways or walkways are excessively costly in relation to the cost of the larger project adjacent to the planned improvements.

• The proposed improvements would not meet accepted minimum safety standards

• Approval is obtained from the City Commission.

• Documentation supporting the exception is publicly available for at least 30 days before approval.

Engineering judgment is necessary to allow decisions to account for unique site-specific conditions and considerations to provide high quality products, within budget, and to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.

5. Jurisdiction

This policy applies to all public rights-of-way in Traverse City. The City will encourage compliance from state and county agencies within its limits as well as entities responsible for private roads and collaborate with regional partners to expand Complete Streets beyond city boundaries. 

6. Design Guidelines

Complete Streets improvements shall adhere to best practices from national, state, and local sources, including but not limited to:

• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidelines

• American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) guides

• National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) design guides

• U.S. Access Board’s Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG)

• Vision Zero Network

• City of Traverse City Street Design Manual

• City of Traverse City Master Plan

• City of Traverse City Mobility Action Plan

• Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), FHWA

• Michigan Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD), MDOT

• Department of Justice ADA Standards for Accessible Design

7. Land Use and Transportation Integration

Land use and transportation planning must be aligned to support the Complete Streets vision. When policies, zoning regulations, and plans, including the Master Plan and Mobility Action Plan, are revised, they shall reflect this commitment. To further enhance the safety and sustainability of the transportation network, the City will incorporate Traverse City's Tree Ordinance into street planning efforts. Vegetation shall be used strategically to provide traffic calming, improve pedestrian comfort, and contribute to environmental benefits such as air quality improvement and stormwater management. Priority shall be given to native plants and trees. 

8. Performance Measures

Traverse City and/or interested partners will track progress using key performance indicators, including but not limited to:

• Miles of sidewalks with pedestrian-scale lighting

• Winter maintenance levels for all users

• Miles of missing sidewalks completed

• Ridership of local transit agencies

• Pedestrian and bicycle counts on streets

• Improvements in ADA accessibility and curb ramps

• Miles of completed Complete Streets

The City Manager will report progress to the City Commission during the annual budget process.

9. Complete Streets Advisory Committee

A Complete Streets Advisory Committee shall be established to make recommendations consistent with this policy, at the recommendation of the City Manager and appointed by the City Commission in accordance with the City’s Charter and shall include:

• A total of seven (7) members

• One City Commissioner

• City Manager or their Designee

• Five residents

• The Complete Streets Advisory Committee shall meet at least quarterly during regular City office hours.

The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to:

• Determine specific measurable goals

• Advise the City Manager regarding prioritization of Complete Streets projects and proposed use of the Complete Streets fund

• Review Complete Streets plans for compliance with the Complete Streets Policy

• Not to advise on technical design 

• The citizen advisory committee will create a rubric to measure and prioritize project selection

10. Project Selection Criteria

Complete Streets projects will be prioritized based on:

• Context of the street segment being considered and the surrounding area

• Impact on historically underserved communities (reference section 2 for definition)

• Potential to improve safety for all users

• Contribution to a connected multimodal network

• Cost-effectiveness and feasibility

This policy is designed to ensure that Traverse City’s streets support a safe, accessible, and connected transportation system for all users, improving quality of life, and promoting sustainability.  

Exhibit: Process Flow Chart to be added before commission adoption

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