Complete Streets

South Carolina Complete Streets Campaign: A Program of the Palmetto Cycling Coalition

The Innovation of Complete Streets

The idea behind complete streets is that streets should transport people, not just cars. For too long, our states, cities, counties, and towns have built miles of streets and roads that are safe and comfortable only for motor vehicle travel. Sprawling communities have become dangerous and inconvenient places to walk, bicycle, or take transit, leaving little choice for getting around. Complete streets represent an innovation in traditional road construction philosophy. For more information on the National complete streets movement, visit the National Complete Streets Coalition website.

There are many complete streets policies in South Carolina, which guide the development of roads built for all users. Visit our resources page for more information on where these policies exist.

On the Road to Complete Streets in South Carolina

In 2010, along with ESMMSC, we produced two fantastic resources for anyone interested in learning more about Complete Streets and advancing equitable road policy change within their community. The two resources, an Advocacy Manual and users Toolbook, allow you to understand Complete Streets so that you are better prepared to advocate for streets designed with all road users in mind.

These resources are free for download by clicking the respective resource below. We are also printing a limited number of both and providing these to our partners throughout South Carolina. Depending upon your need and our availability, we may be able to provide you a hard-copy. You can submit an order and we will be in touch about whether we can fulfill your need.

Current and Future Efforts

In 2011, the PCC began work with a Masters of Public Health Intern from the University of South Carolina, Phoebe Byers, who is leading our statewide campaign on Complete Streets. With the help of Phoebe, we have been able to bring another important partner to the table, AARP of South Carolina. Along with AARP and our continued partnership with ESMMSC, we are offered two workshops on Complete Streets policy development and implementation on November 16, 2011. This workshop, suited for engineers, planners, public health professionals, advocates, and many others, offered a primer on complete streets, policy development, and implementation. Led by National Complete Streets Coalition trainer Roger Henderson, the workshop offered important insight to complete streets for South Carolina communities.

If you are interested in the presentations that were shared during this workshop, you can view and download these below.

AM Sessions:
Laying the Foundation (Roger)
Complete Streets Policies in SC (Phoebe)
PM Sessions:
4 Steps to Implementation (Roger)
Breakout--Advocating for CS (Rachael & Amy)
Breakout--6 Step Implementation Process (Roger)

We are continuing our partnership with ESMMSC and AARP, broadening our capacity and technical assistance offerings with policy development and implementation. We are also developing a coalition among diverse public and private partners in South Carolina, including planners, public officials, engineers, public health professionals, community members, and many others. These individuals will compromise a forum of stakeholders from around South Carolina that will facilitate policy change relating to complete streets.

An inaugural meeting of these stakeholders occurred on December 7, 2011 to discuss the needs and strategies of Complete Streets on a statewide level. This session was facilitated by Barbara McCann, Executive Director of the National Complete Streets Coalition. The forum will likely meet again in Spring 2012, and in the meantime, the PCC will continue to lead on complete streets policy change at the local level. If you have any questions about the forum, please contact Amy.