The Community Policy Action Team of the Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan Coalition needs your help to support the adoption of a Complete Streets Resolution. The resolution encourages communities and road agencies to consider infrastructure as active infrastructure as a way to create more walkable, bikeable places where children and families can be physically active.

We are asking organizations and their individual members and/or associates to answer the call. Organization leaders are asked to forward the materials below to their members and/or associates inviting them to take action. Show support for this effort by sending your legislators a letter urging them to adopt Michigan House Concurrent Resolution 34.

For your convenience, a sample letter is below.  It can also be downloaded here as a Word Document.  Links to the  resolution and a Complete Streets fact sheet are also below for your information. Please use your discretion whether you want to include a copy of the resolution and/or fact sheet when sending the letter of support. Letters can be sent electronically or mailed to representatives and senators at the following addresses:

State Representative ___________,
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909 - 7514

State Senator ___________,
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909 - 7536

(You can also find out who your Representative and Senator is and locate their email addresses by putting in your zip code here)

Sample Letter:

<Date>, 2010

The Honorable <Name>

Post Office Box

Lansing, MI  48909

<Dear Representative/Senator>:

<I am/Organization is> asking that you support Michigan House Concurrent Resolution 34 to encourage communities and road agencies to consider infrastructure as active infrastructure as a way to create more walkable, bikeable places.  The adoption of the Michigan Complete Streets Resolution is investing in Michigan’s future by not only providing opportunities for children and families to be physically active in a safe environment, but also creating vibrant places where the best and brightest want to live and businesses want to locate.

Complete streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities must be able to safely move along and across a complete street.  There is no prescription for what a Complete Street looks like.  A Complete Street in a rural area will look different from a Complete Street in a highly urban area, but both are designed to balance safety and convenience for everyone using the road.

Complete Streets boost the economy by increasing residential property values because homeowners are willing to pay more to live in walkable communities and businesses located along Complete Streets often see an increase in sales.  Complete Streets improve safety and reduce crashes by providing pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, such as safe crossings, sidewalks, or on-road bicycle lanes. Complete Streets promote public health by making it safe and convenient for children and families to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives as a way to combat the obesity epidemic.

Clearly, supporting Complete Streets is investing in a stronger and healthier Michigan.  <I/We> urge you to vote in favor of the Michigan Compete Streets Resolution.  Together we can create a more vibrant Michigan.

Sincerely,

<Name>

<Title>