The City of Oak Hill is joining in the movement to increase the bike/walkability of our communities in the New River Gorge Region. At last night’s City Council meeting Oak Hill joined 8 other cities in WV in adopting Complete Streets Guiding Principle policies. By adopting a Complete Streets policy, communities direct their transportation planners and engineers to routinely design and operate the entire right of way to enable safe access for all users, regardless of age, ability, or mode of transportation. This means that every transportation project will make the street network better and safer for drivers, transit users, pedestrians, and bicyclists—making your town a better place to live.
Active Southern West Virginia (Active SWV) has been a champion of the mission to bring Complete Streets policies to all the cities and towns in the New River Gorge Region and are proud to have the support of so many local municipalities to ensure safety for not only pedestrians and bicycle users but everyone that uses the streets in our communities.
In 2017 Active SWV supported the City of Mt Hope in passing Complete Streets policies, and the City of Beckley in July of 2019. We are extremely excited that the city officials also saw the benefits these policies can bring to the City of Oak Hill and its future.
This growing movement across our region will benefit our communities in a number of ways including increasing recreation opportunities, economic development, and overall health and well-being. Active SWV will continue its efforts to work with other cities in the New River Gorge region to help create policies that will increase safety and connectivity for all residents. Can you be an advocate for Complete Streets in your community? There are many ways that you can support policy change including attending City Council meetings, joining or forming a Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Committee, and writing to local officials/leaders. Contact the Active SWV Volunteer Director, Erin Reid, for more information and strategies on how you can specifically be involved in your local municipality.
