If only Frogger had a Complete Street...

Everyone is always trying to get somewhere. The objective is usually getting from Point A to Point B in the safest and most efficient way possible, right? Frogger wasn’t always as successful, darting speeding cars, buses and trucks as he attempted to cross a congested highway in one piece. As planners, we’re designing complete streets to dissolve the substantial fallacy that roadways are primarily for vehicles, so the premise of Frogger becomes a fictitious pastime.

In cities and suburbs alike, pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, drivers, and public transit riders are entitled to get to their destination unharmed, regardless of their desired mode of travel along or across any street. To accommodate commuters of all ages and abilities, a Complete Street integrates various components to promote safety and livability, including sidewalks, bikes lanes, medians, curb extensions, bus shelters, and multiple crossing opportunities among others. Choosing the appropriate combination of components depends on the street; considerable differences exist between urban and rural streets, but all types of complete streets support safe and convenient use.

The prolific benefits of complete streets—improved safety, lifestyles, environmental health, and cost savings—help to evolve the traditional mentality of street design. Why wouldn’t we want to design complete streets that promote the kind of livable, public right-of-ways that help everyone get to where they’re going and actually ENJOY it? Frogger would be jealous.

To accommodate commuters of all ages and abilities, a Complete Street integrates various components to promote safety and livability, including sidewalks, bikes lanes, medians, curb extensions, bus shelters, and multiple crossing opportunities among others.