News from Iowa!  The Des Moines City Council voted 7-0 to pass a complete streets policy focused on safe travel around the city!

After nearly two years of work, the complete streets policy was passed via the MoveDSM plan, which is Des Moines’ first citywide transportation planning effort. MoveDSM will establish a multi-modal vision for transportation in Des Moines over the next 25 years. Under MoveDSM, there is a priority to connect the city's sidewalk network, fill the gaps near schools and bus stops, redesign the city's dangerous streets, and complete the city's bicycle network, which will improve access to safe physical activity for 217,521 residents. 

Congratulations to local advocates and the American Heart Association, Safe Routes to School National Partnership, AARP, NAACP, Des Moines YMCA, Des Moines Bike Collective, United Way of Central Iowa, Des Moines Public Schools, and other members of the Well Kids coalition for their work to make streets safer for all in Des Moines! 

Maddison Miller, a 22-year-old Des Moines resident, was born with spina bifida, a disability that confines her to a motorized scooter. She shared her story about safety and the disability community at the City Council meeting last week.