LiveWell Lawrence is taking its quest for a healthier community to the streets. Literally.
Lawrence Complete Streets is our new public education campaign that highlights the value of streets designed for young and old, motorists, bicyclists, walkers, wheelchair users, transit riders and businesses.
“Complete streets” is a term that is used nationwide to describe road networks that are consistently designed and operated to enable safe access for all users.
How do streets relate to community health?
Complete streets make it easier to walk, bike, wheel, or bus to everyday destinations like work, school, shopping and entertainment. They help keep people healthy by supporting daily physical activity (aka exercise).
And the more we leave our cars at home, the better the quality of the air we breathe.
The linkage between street design and health is so strong that the Centers for Disase Control and Prevention, the Kansas Health Foundation, and public health agencies around the state and country are actively promoting complete streets principles.
In the weeks and months ahead, we hope to help you think about streets in a whole new way. We’ll be using traditional as well as social media to tell the story.
If you are interested in learning more, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @LCmpleteStreets. We hope to have a website up soon, and we will be at Lawrence’s Earth Day celebration operating valet parking for bikes.
If you want to get involved in the campaign, contact the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department at LCmpleteStreets@ldchealth.org or 785-843-3060.
