The document discusses the need for Hamilton, Ontario to adopt a Complete Streets policy. It notes the city's current prioritization of cars over other modes of transportation. A Complete Streets policy would require streets to be designed and managed to balance mobility, safety, access and other objectives for all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and public transit. It provides an example of how the current lack of such a policy led to delays in improving a dangerous intersection where a pedestrian was later killed. Adopting a Complete Streets policy could help the city achieve better balance and improve quality of life. Over 100 residents helped develop Hamilton's draft Complete Streets policy.

1. LOVE YOUR STREETS
By Sara Mayo,
Social Planning and Research Council of
Hamilton
November 26, 2014

2. Current city of Hamilton policy:
“Balanced transportation network”

3. How “balance” has been
interpreted
Concerns about pollution created by cars
used to justify the continued prioritization of cars.
This criteria is not compatible with a Complete Streets policy.
Response from city to request for better pedestrian activated traffic light:

4. A Complete Streets Policy is needed because
urban streets are a scarce and valuable resource.
How they are designed and managed represents an
allocation of public resources that should balance
various objectives:
Cost effective mobility User convenience and comfort
Overall accessibility Safety and security
Fairness for non-drivers Local economic development
Quoted from: Todd Litman, Victoria Transport Policy Institute:
Evaluating Complete Streets: The Value of Designing Roads For
Diverse Modes, Users and Activities (2013). These criteria are included
in the draft Complete Streets policy submitted to the City of Hamilton.

5. Fairness for non-drivers

6. Fairness for non-drivers

7. Governor’s Road
near St-Joseph’s
Villa in 2012

8. 2010
• Request from families of St-Joseph Villa
to add pedestrian crossing
Mid 2012
• Petition with 632 signatures
2012
• City response: “not enough data to show need” and
“we’ll make improvements in 2017”
Complete
Streets Policy
• Data must include projections about potential increase in
users after safety improvements
• Safety improvements integrated into street maintenance
and repair activities; no need to wait for reconstruction
cycle.
• Exceptions must be publicly documented and approved at a
high level.
The difference a Complete Streets Policy can make
Current dominance
of cars used to
justify not improving
environment or
safety for other road
users.

9. 2010
• Request from families of St-Joseph Villa
to add pedestrian crossing
Mid 2012
• Petition with 632 signatures
2012
• City response: “not enough data to show need” and
“we’ll make improvements in 2017”
Dec.
2012
• Kitty MacLeod is killed crossing Governor’s Road
2013
• Pedestrian island installed

10. Pedestrian deaths since December
2012

12. Large cities and small towns are adopting Complete Streets policies
to help them achieve a better balance on their streets
and improve quality of life for all residents.
Now over 600 Complete Streets
policies adopted in US.

16. Draft Complete Streets Policy for Hamilton
http://tinyurl.com/CompleteStreetsPolicyHamilton
Over 100 residents involved in the development of this policy.
Most of text is adapted from policies adopted in various other jurisdictions
PART I: INTRODUCTION
1. Definition
2. Context
3. Purpose
4. Supportive Vision, Values, Strategic Priorities and Policies
PART II: PRINCIPLES
5. Objectives
6. Funding
PART III: IMPLEMENTATION
7. Operation
8. Exception mechanism
PART IV: MONITORING
9. Progress Reporting and Measures of Success
10. Open Data
11. Complete Streets Advisory Committee

23. Contact info sheet:
• Endorse draft Complete Streets policy
• Getting involved in improving streets in your neighbourhood
• Helping with city-wide advocacy campaigns related to Complete
Streets Attend other events like this and consultation events
regarding Transportation Master Plan
• Other (please specify)