PedNet Coalition receives 2-year grant to update Complete Streets policy
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The PedNet Coalition has received 2-year grant from Missouri Foundation for Health to support transportation equity.
PedNet will allow it to lead a two year advocacy campaign to develop and advocate for a new gold standard Complete Street policy in Columbia.
PedNet helped lead Columbia to become one of the first cities in the U.S. to adopt Complete Streets policy.
However, that policy hasn't been updated since and now lacks modern street design best practices that create safe and convenient streets for everyone, especially people walking, biking, and riding transit.
"Columbia is built in a way which benefits those who have the means and the desire to own a car, at the cost of all others in the community,” said Heather Marriott, PedNet’s Community Engagement Director and one of the project leads. “This system favors the white and wealthy. The only way to overcome a racist transportation system is to intentionally engage with members of Columbia's marginalized communities regarding their transportation needs, and then develop solutions together.”
The grant will support PedNet’s advocacy work to promote and support policies that ensure our streets are safe and convenient for everyone, through the lens of people walking, biking, and riding public transit.
