Communities across Bluffton to Boca Raton are actively addressing the intensifying road safety emergency within the United States.
In a groundbreaking report by Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition, 43 U.S. cities, states, and government entities were recognised for their proactive approaches to designing streets that prioritise safety and accessibility for all users. The report, titled "Best Complete Streets Policies 2025", was released on an unspecified Wednesday.
The report evaluates and scores the Complete Streets policies adopted in 2023 and 2024. These policies, which focus on pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and transit users of all ages and abilities, are seen as effective, actionable tools that promote safety, access, economic opportunity, and racial equity in transportation planning.
San Antonio, Texas, topped the list with a score of 96/100. The city's policy, first established in 2011, was revised to integrate best practices and community coalition input, including disability rights and environmental groups. San Antonio's commitment to safety, accessibility, and equity has made it a leader in the Complete Streets movement.
Clyde, Ohio, a small town with just over 6,300 residents, ranked third with a score of 85/100. This demonstrates that effective Complete Streets policies can come from communities of any size. The town's policy is commended for its context-sensitive design and commitment to safety.
Other notable mentions include Nashville, Tennessee (89/100), Red Bank, New Jersey (69/100), Asbury Park, New Jersey (70/100), Rockford Metropolitan Planning Organization, Illinois (72/100), Appleton, Wisconsin (74/100), Boca Raton, Florida (80/100), and Bluffton, Ohio (81/100).
The report also highlights three communities with exemplary policies and unique barriers faced during adoption. These case studies provide valuable insights for other communities seeking to implement their own Complete Streets policies.
The Complete Streets Policy Framework, used to organise a community's commitment to safety, accessibility, and equity for all, involves practical and often easy-to-implement changes like sidewalks, raised crosswalks, and bicycle infrastructure. Over the past two decades, more than 1,700 Complete Streets policies have been adopted across the United States.
The report encourages communities to develop new transportation solutions and treat Complete Streets as core to transportation reform. It recommends federal funding support such as the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program. Despite progress, pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities have increased over the past decade, underscoring the continuing need for comprehensive street safety initiatives.
The National Complete Streets Coalition, an alliance of public interest organisations and transportation professionals, is a program of Smart Growth America, a nonprofit focusing on housing and land use, transportation, and economic development. The report is a testament to the power of collaboration and the commitment of U.S. communities to creating safer, more accessible, and equitable streets for all users.
[1] Source: Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition, "Best Complete Streets Policies 2025" report [2] Source: Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition, press release, date unknown [3] Source: Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition, case studies, date unknown [4] Source: Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition, policy framework, date unknown
The report recommends industries and financial institutions to support the transportation sector by advocating for and providing funding for programs like the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program. This investment in infrastructure, particularly street design, transit, walking, biking, and accessibility projects, aligns with promoting smart growth America and enhancing road safety.
The report serves as evidence of the significant role finance plays in shaping the transportation industry's future, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to ensure the implementation of effective Complete Streets policies across various communities, regardless of size.
