Complete streets are streets designed and operated to allow safe use for all modes of surface passenger transportation, including automobile, pedestrian, bicycles, and transit. This is in contrast to the emphasis on promoting automobile traffic in many cities throughout the world.
In addition to lanes for automobiles and other large vehicles, complete streets also include sidewalks, bicycle lanes, easily accessible public transportation stops, pedestrian and bicycle signals, and frequent and safe crosswalks. They can additionally include special lanes for buses or trams, median islands, and roundabouts.
The space for these additions is typically obtained by reducing the number of traffic lanes, making the lanes narrower, or reducing on-street parking. This is frequently accompanied by reducing traffic speed limits.
Complete streets can make alternatives to automobile use safer and more attractive, thereby reducing the use of automobiles, increasing safety and reducing both local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Along with pedestrianization and the creation of transit malls, they are an important tool in making urban areas more livable and thereby providing a better alternative to more sprawl.