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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                            May 25, 2012     CARLISLE SIGNS 'COMPLETE STREETS' BILL FOR SAFETY, ACCESSIBILITY     (Fri., May 25, 2012)—Mayor Peter Carlisle today signed into law Bill 26 to establish a "Complete Streets" policy for the City and County of Honolulu and improve transportation safety and accessibility for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and motorists. The City Council unanimously approved Bill 26 on May 19, 2012.   "Complete Streets recognizes that motorists are not the only ones who use public streets and facilities, so the needs of other transportation modes and users must be included," Carlisle said.  "I would like to acknowledge the leadership of Council Transportation Committee Chair Breene Harimoto in guiding this legislation through the City Council."   Throughout its review, Bill 26 was supported by a broad coalition of community organizations and key City and State departments.   "Complete Streets is a giant step toward ensuring that the safety and mobility needs of all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, seniors, and individuals with assistive devices, are fully considered when planning and making roadway improvements," Harimoto said.   The new policy requires a multi-modal approach in the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of transportation facilities and projects, including streets, sidewalks, traffic control devices and signage, and public transit facilities. This policy allows for the creations of a Complete Streets checklist and procedures to be used when initiating, planning, revising, implementing and/or reviewing any transportation facility or project, along with data collection and training.   Complete Streets does not only involve physical improvements to the transportation facilities. It is a paradigm shift in the way transportation facilities are configured, with the goal of making our transportation facilities part of a more livable and healthy community environment.     -30-   Media contact: Louise Kim McCoy, Mayor's Office, 768-7798.