Letterhead
Date
Helena City Commission
316 North Park Avenue
Helena, MT 59623
To Members of the Helena City Commission: Mayor Smith, Commissioners Cartwright, Ellison, Elsaesser, and Thweatt
[Your Name] supports passage of a Complete Streets Ordinance for the City of Helena.
Complete streets policies ensure that infrastructure is designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities can move safely 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 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, which has caused an increase in preventable chronic disease—among children and adults alike. 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 are good for the environment by reducing vehicle miles traveled, a goal of Helena’s Growth Plan. 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.
We support a Complete Streets Ordinance for Helena because it is in line with community goals for public health, safety, environmental quality, and economic growth. The passage of a Complete Streets Ordinance will ensure that Helena maintains and improves its reputation as a healthy, livable community.
Thank you,
