Support Healthy Community Design

What Can Policymakers Do?

·         Implement Safe Routes to School initiatives (SRTS). SRTS initiatives examine the conditions around schools, improve safety and accessibility and reduce traffic and air pollution. As a result, these programs help make bicycling and walking to school safer and more appealing, encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle for school-aged children. Louisiana’s SRTS Advisory Board is involved in nearly every aspect of development and implementation.  Board member appointments were designed to ensure expert representation for each of the five E’s – Engineering, Encouragement, Education, Enforcement and Evaluation.

·         Support transit-oriented development.  Mixed-use development within walking distance of public transportation is a key way to create livable and sustainable communities in which families are encouraged to walk, bike and take public transportation for their daily travel.  Traditionally designed communities that provide sidewalks, safe infrastructure and access to nearby destinations have been shown to increase physical activity. In Utah, House Bill No. 179 authorizes the state to donate land to facilitate the development of commuter rail stations and the associated transit-oriented development.   

·         Support Complete Street Policies. By adding Complete Streets language to states’ comprehensive general plans, policymakers can develop safer streets that promote physical activity and thereby reduce obesity. Changing the signal time at crosswalks, for example, allows safer pedestrian crossing without additional costs. Michigan requires the Department of Transportation and local road agencies to develop and adopt Complete Street policies. Wisconsin requires the Department of Transportation to include bicycle and pedestrian accommodations in all new public construction projects.  

·         Support state parks and connect parents to the tools they need to access and explore them with their children.  Enjoying state parks provides children with the opportunity to receive the recommended amount of exercise in an easy and fun way.  Maryland and Virginia are partnering with the American Hiking Society and the National Park Trust to promote hiking trails and green spaces in both states and in the District of Columbia.