Page 29 - 2015 Compass Now

Complete streets is a policy that divides transportation dollars so that alternative transportation options COMMUNITY
are represented in any design, reconstruction or improving of roadways. This policy enables access
and safety measures for all ages and abilities for all modes of transportation including auto, bicyclists,
pedestrians, mass transit, and rail. The movement is an attempt to diversify the dependence of a single-use
transportation system. The benefits of a complete streets policy include improved safety, encouragement of
walking and bicycling for people of all ages, increased transportation capacity, and improved air quality6.
A complete streets policy was passed in La Crosse County and several municipalities within the county in
2011. Although Complete Streets is funded in the Wisconsin state budget, there are currently efforts to
repeal or de-fund the policy. In 2013, the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin awarded La Crosse Silver-Level
designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) and named several Bicycle-Friendly Businesses (BFB). La
Crosse now has the largest number of BFB’s of any city in Wisconsin. The city of Onalaska received a Bronze-
Level BFC designation, recognizing its commitment to investing in bicycling promotion, education programs,
infrastructure, and pro-bicycling policies.

In addition to transportation and accessibility, the built environment is an important indicator of the
availability of healthy foods. Farmers markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) are sources of
fresh foods in our community. In recent years, the Cameron Street Farmers Market in the city of La Crosse
started accepting debit and Electronic Benefit Transfer cards (EBT), also known as “food stamps,” for those
enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This is a step forward in making healthy
foods more affordable for community members enrolled in the SNAP program by allowing them to purchase
local, organic, fresh, and seasonal foods.

The U.S. Census Bureau reported that, in 2010, between 10% and 21% of the Great Rivers Region had
low food access. However, this range was still lower than both Wisconsin and Minnesota state averages of
23% and 31%. Research has shown that health is significantly poorer in areas where residents have poor-
to-little access to healthy food. Food deserts are communities, particularly low-income areas, in which
residents do not live in close proximity to affordable and healthy food retailers. Healthy food options in
these communities are hard to find or are unaffordable. There are food deserts in urban, rural and tribal
communities. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website shows food deserts exist in much of
Vernon and Monroe Counties, and in a small area in the city of La Crosse.

How do people rate the built environment?

Respondents of the COMPASS NOW 2015 Random Household Survey were asked to rate the quality of
several components of the built environment in their community. Figure 5 shows the average score by
county. La Crosse County respondents gave the highest average score of 2.71 out of 4 (with 4 being
excellent). Overall, 14.4% of Great Rivers Region respondents rated bike routes as excellent, while 45.7%
rated them as fair/poor.

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