What Are Complete Streets (and Why Should We Care)?

Put your mind on South Berwick's Main Street. Now imagine it’s not just a way to get from A to B — but a place to be. A place where kids can bike to the library, seniors feel safe crossing the road, and families out on a walk don’t have to dodge traffic like a real-life game of Frogger. That’s the vision behind Complete Streets.

At its core, Complete Streets is a simple idea: streets should work for everyone. Not just drivers. Not just trucks. Everyone. That includes people walking, biking, pushing strollers, using wheelchairs, hopping on a bus, or yes — driving.

So What Makes a Street "Complete"?

Complete Streets aren’t a one-size-fits-all checklist. What makes sense for a rural town center is going to look different from what a city block in Portland needs. But the philosophy stays the same: design with intention, and design for people.

That might mean:

• Adding curb ramps and raised crosswalks so people with mobility challenges can cross safely.

• Building bike lanes that are physically separated from traffic — not just paint on asphalt.

• Including benches, trees, and lighting so walking doesn’t feel like a punishment.

• Making bus stops more accessible and an actual option for going to places like Dover and Portsmouth--did you know you could get to those places right from downtown South Berwick?

  Bus Route 100: Somersworth-Berwick-Kittery | COAST Transportation

• Slowing down cars where safety demands it, instead of designing roads that encourage speeding.

Why It Matters for Towns Like Ours

Here in South Berwick and towns across Maine, we often find ourselves straddling old-town charm and modern-day realities. We’ve got history and heritage, but also kids who need safe routes to school, parents who don’t want to drive three blocks to get milk, and older adults who want to stay active and independent.

The challenge? Our infrastructure wasn’t built for all that. It was built for cars.

Complete Streets helps us reclaim that space — safely, incrementally, and with respect for place. And when it's done right, it actually supports local business, boosts property values, improves public health, and reduces traffic deaths. That’s not some planner’s dream or a "liberal utopia"— that’s backed by data.

It's Not Just About Streets. It's About Community.

This isn’t a debate between “cars vs. bikes.” It’s about designing communities where people want to stop, stay, and support local life — not just pass through. It’s about aligning our infrastructure with our values: safety, accessibility, sustainability, and quality of life.

And that’s exactly why Wicks Collective has made Complete Streets a core part of our mission. Through advocacy, design input, and community programming, we're working to make sure our town — and others like it — don’t get left behind on the road to a more inclusive, human-scale future.

Want to learn more about Complete Streets and what they could mean for your neighborhood?

Check out Smart Growth America’s Complete Streets Guide.

What are Complete Streets? - Smart Growth America