AARP: Hit By Fuel Costs, Seniors Need 'Complete Streets'

Legislation aimed at helping older Americans better navigate U.S. streets as an alternative to getting in their cars and paying high gas prices likely will be rolled into next year's massive transportation authorization bill, an executive with AARP says.

Older Americans have been particularly hard-hit by high fuel prices, and have turned to mass transit -- and walking -- to avoid those costs. In doing so, however, they find themselves challenged by inadequate sidewalks and bike lanes, as well as insufficient public transportation options, according to the results of an AARP poll of older Americans.

“More Americans age 50+ are trying to leave their cars behind but face obstacles as soon as they walk out the door, climb on their bikes or head for the bus,” says Elinor Ginzler, AARP senior vice president for livable communities.

As those people set out to walk, almost 40 percent of the 50 and older population say they do not have adequate sidewalks in their neighborhoods, according to AARP. Additionally, 44 percent say they do not have nearby public transportation that is accessible. Almost half (47 percent) of poll responders say they cannot cross the main roads safely –- four in 10 pedestrian fatalities are over the age of 50, the influential lobbying group for older Americans says.

Older Americans are not finding adequate bus shelters, enough time to cross streets, and other dangers, Ginzler says.

The worst states for pedestrian fatalities over age 65 are (in order) Hawaii, Alaska, New York, California, New Mexico, Delaware, New Jersey, Florida, Washington, DC and Arizona according to AARP’s analysis of government pedestrian fatality data. Many states, cities and towns are looking for ways to solve this problem by adopting “complete streets” policies.

She says the solution is a set of policies known as "complete streets," which mandates minimum standards to ensure comfort and safety for seniors. Local and state governments have been enacting "complete streets" legislation -- and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and other lawmakers have introduced federal legislation, as well.

The Columbus, Ohio city council just passed a complete streets resolution on July 2 and both Decatur, Ga., and Seattle, Wash., adopted complete streets policies this spring.

“Some cities like Sacramento, California and Kirkland, Washington are ahead of the curve,” says Ginzler. “They have extra-wide sidewalks, flowered medians and flashing lights embedded in crosswalks at busy intersections. Bike lanes and bus stops line even some of the town's busiest streets. These amenities allow residents to be safer pedestrians and commuters and even help the flow of vehicle traffic.”

Down to a technical level, complete streets policies dictate things like the width of lanes, street markings and other details designed to make roadways more accessible, she says.

Although AARP's interest in complete streets is aimed at helping older Americans, the improvements these policies bring help all who use U.S. streets and mass transit, she says.

(Ginzler was a guest on the Energy Policy TV Executive News Roundtable program to discuss complete streets. You can listen to the full interview here.)

Harkin introduced the bipartisan Complete Streets Act of 2008 (S. 2686) this spring. Senate cosponsors include Sens. Thomas Carper (D-Del.) and Norm Coleman (R-Minn.). Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) in May introduced the Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2008 (H.R. 5951) in the House.

The bills would ensure that roads built and improved with federal funds safely serve everyone using the roadway -- including pedestrians, people on bicycles or those catching the bus, as well as those with disabilities, AARP says.

These bills are expected to be rolled into the regular congressional transportation authorization package, which Congress will work on next year, Ginzler says. Since the legislation will be decided by the next president, Ginzler says she hopes complete streets becomes an issue for the candidates to discuss, as they are invited to address an AARP event next month for some 30,000 members.

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