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What Is a Complete Street, And Why It Matters for Birmingham’s Future

When you step outside your front door in Birmingham, what do you see? For most of us, the answer is clear: streets designed almost entirely for cars. Sidewalks, if they exist at all, are narrow and crumbling. Bike lanes end abruptly. Bus stops are little more than a signpost in the grass. But a street does not have to look or function this way. Across the United States, cities are reimagining their roadways as places designed for people, not just vehicles. They are called Complete Streets, and they are one of the most powerful tools we have to make Birmingham safer, healthier, and more connected.


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A Complete Street is designed for everyone, whether you are walking, biking, rolling, riding the bus, or driving. The goal is not to eliminate cars but to create balance so that all modes of travel are safe, accessible, and dignified. Features of a Complete Street can include wide sidewalks, protected bike lanes, clearly marked crosswalks, curb extensions, bus shelters with real-time information, street trees, lighting, benches, and traffic calming designs like raised crosswalks or roundabouts. In short, a Complete Street recognizes that streets are public spaces, not just conduits for cars.

The benefits are wide-ranging. Safety is perhaps the most important, as people walking or biking are far more vulnerable in crashes. Studies show that Complete Streets can reduce serious crashes by up to 50 percent, which is especially critical in Birmingham where pedestrian deaths have risen in recent years. Equity is another factor since not everyone drives. Thousands of residents rely on transit, walking, or biking, and Complete Streets ensure that mobility is treated as a right, not a privilege reserved for car owners. Health outcomes also improve because walkable, bike-friendly streets encourage active lifestyles while reducing air pollution, which disproportionately harms children and seniors. The economic benefits are equally strong: businesses on walkable streets see higher foot traffic and sales, and neighborhoods with safe, connected infrastructure often experience responsible rises in property values. Finally, Complete Streets contribute to climate resilience. Transportation is a leading source of emissions, and shifting trips to transit, biking, and walking helps Birmingham meet sustainability goals.


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In Birmingham, momentum is beginning to build. The Cahaba Road roundabout near the zoo is a step toward safer intersections, and the city’s upcoming multimodal transit plan offers opportunities to embed Complete Streets principles across the network. Local advocates are already pushing for better sidewalks, bike lanes, and traffic calming in neighborhoods across the city. Still, challenges remain: outdated zoning codes, limited funding, and the persistent belief that widening roads equals progress.

Several myths continue to hold back progress. One is the idea that Complete Streets cause traffic. In reality, well-designed projects reduce congestion by giving people reliable alternatives to driving. Another is the belief that nobody bikes in Birmingham. The truth is that people do not bike because it feels unsafe. Build safe infrastructure, and usage will rise sharply. A third myth is that Complete Streets are too expensive. When you compare the costs of crash reconstruction, sprawl maintenance, and subsidized parking, these improvements are actually more cost-effective in the long run.

Other cities offer lessons. New York City saw a 44 percent reduction in pedestrian injuries after redesigning streets with bike lanes and pedestrian islands. Portland has built an entire economy around cycling, generating billions in annual benefits. Atlanta has leveraged Complete Streets to revitalize corridors and attract new investment. Birmingham can learn from these examples while tailoring its approach to local needs.


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Moving forward, a clear roadmap can help the city succeed. Policies must be updated to adopt a citywide Complete Streets standard that carries real accountability. Equity should be prioritized by investing first in neighborhoods with poor sidewalks, unsafe crossings, and limited transit. Federal and state funds, such as those available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, should be leveraged to pay for safety improvements. Projects must be designed in collaboration with residents to reflect community needs, and success should be measured not only in car travel times but also in pedestrian counts, crash reductions, and transit reliability.

For everyday people, these changes matter deeply. Children would have safer walks to school. Workers would enjoy more reliable bus rides. Neighborhoods would experience healthier air and quieter streets. Small businesses would benefit from stronger foot traffic. In other words, Birmingham would become a city built for people, not just cars.

Streets are the largest public spaces we own, and how we design them says everything about what and who we value. If we want a Birmingham where every child can bike safely, where elders can cross the street with confidence, and where neighborhoods thrive, the path is clear: we need Complete Streets. What would you change about your street to make it more complete? Share your thoughts with us, or join our newsletter to be part of shaping Birmingham’s future.

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