Originally Posted by
Roody
Yep, that is the same here. Or was. Since the Complete Street laws were passed, anytime they do major road rebuilding, they have to put in bike facilities and sidewalks. This is slow and gradual, but it is starting to make a difference. Where I live, we have Complete Streets on city, county, and statewide levels. I just posted (#8) about a road fix in an old neighborhood--that was a result of Complete Streets.
They are now rebuilding the highway/street between my house and the regional mall, where there are currently no bike lanes and few sidewalks. That's in a separate suburb, so we will see if they have to put in bike lanes and sidewalks there too. I hope so! I have always avoided shopping there because of the poor infrastructure.
It is starting to make a difference here too. When I first moved here, the word on the street was that Des Moines was dull and Iowa was bleeding talent. Nowadays, thanks to a forward-looking city government, there's a completely different perception. I was just talking today with a newbie to the city who thought the bike trails and the large city parks are a great addition... but it's the Complete Streets initiative that drives that "fun/no fun" perception. If you are in Des Moines, swing by Ingersoll Ave where bike lanes are just a part of a vibrant, booming neighborhood.