Pedestrians, bicyclists get the green light in Salt Lake

Future road work in Salt Lake City will have to include new rights-of-way for bicyclists and pedestrians, at least for the next year.

Mayor Rocky Anderson this month issued an executive order — he calls it the "complete streets" order — requiring any road projects, whether construction of roads or reconstruction of existing roads, to make way for those who would rather walk or bike down the road.

"The benefits of bicycling and walking span across many aspects of our daily lives," Anderson wrote in the order. "The social and environmental benefits include healthier citizens and the improved health of our community through a substantial reduction in air pollution."

Making way for non-automobile traffic can also save money and reduce traffic congestion, the order notes.

Because the requirement is issued in a mayoral executive order and not by a City Council-approved ordinance, it only lasts as long as Anderson is in office. His term ends in December, and he has said he will not run again.

The order makes the following exceptions:

• Roads on which bicyclists and pedestrians are prohibited by law from traveling.

• Projects for which the city's transportation and planning directors and the city engineer determine the costs of adding pedestrian and bike accommodations would outweigh the likelihood of their use.

• Areas whose populations are so small that there is not much need for the rights-of-way. This exception must take into account projections of population growth.

"With the complete streets executive order, Salt Lake City residents can look forward to a brighter future where increased bicycle and pedestrian travel will mean less air pollution and more inviting, dynamic city neighborhoods," the mayor said in a written statement.

The order is effective immediately.

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