MassDOT is offering trainings for local officials, transportation professionals and advocates around the state on how to design for "Complete Streets." Complete Streets is a design concept that emphasizes planning for all users of the road, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, motorists, and people with disabilities. Even though this would seem to be a straightforward idea, it is a radical departure from traditional transportation planning, and critical to building a better biking environment.

The Complete Streets Workshops kicked off in Worcester on November 17th and have taken place around the state since then. Executive Director David Watson and I have attended workshops, and are happy to see a high level of local interest in this important topic.

MassDOT's predecessor MassHighway adopted a Complete Streets-style approach to road design back in 2006 with the release of the Project Development and Design Guide. But many local officials and consultants have not changed their approach to road design in response to the new guidelines. At the urging of MassBike and other advocates, MassDOT has created this great new education program. We have been working with MassDOT to provide feedback both prior to the launch of the workshops and after the sessions we attended. We encourage anyone interested in learning more about Complete Streets and creating a more bikable, walkable, livable community to attend a free workshop.

Check here for the schedule, or just look at the calendar on our homepage. The workshops take three hours and are free and open to the public. You will get course materials to help you implement Complete Streets. Start making your community more livable by ensuring that roads work for everyone.