Missouri Livable Streets
Advocacy Training Programs
July 2012
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Introduction
MoCAN hosted Missouri Livable Streets Advocacy training programs from
November 2010 through December 2011 throughout the state of Missouri. Per sign-in
records, a total of 274 attended one of the trainings. Many of these participants
represented community organizations such as local health departments, city councils, and
other advocacy groups. The premise of the training was to provide individuals with the
skills to be competent Livable Streets advocates in their own communities.
An online quantitative survey was sent via email to attendees following the training
yielding responses from 56 participants. Further, more in-depth evaluation was requested
to better understand perceptions of the training and how MoCAN can support advocacy
efforts. Additional evaluation began in June 2012 at the Prevention Research Center in St.
Louis. A qualitative interview was developed to be administered over the phone to training
participants. This report synthesizes results from surveys and other forms of evaluation.
Training Locations and Participants
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Online Survey: Results
The survey sent to participants who provided an email address on the training sign-in sheet.
Survey closed in April 2012.
1. Have you participated in any of the following activities to support
or promote livable streets in your community? (check all that apply)
Response
Response
Answer Options
Percent
Count
Spoken with family/friends/acquaintances
76.9%
40
about livable streets
Attended a local coalition or group meeting
61.5%
32
Conducted a presentation for a community
13.5%
7
group about livable streets
Participated in a community event to
30.8%
16
promote livable streets
Formed a local coalition or advocacy group
7.7%
4
Met with local officials to advocate for new or
17.3%
9
revised local livable streets policies
Other (please specify)
17.3%
9
2. Which of the following Missouri Livable Streets materials have
you used? (check all that apply)
Response
Response
Answer Options
Percent
Count
Livable Streets Advocacy Guide
32.1%
17
Livable Streets Design Manual
20.8%
11
Livable Streets website
45.3%
24
Livable Streets Facebook page
3.8%
2
Livable Streets listserv
1.9%
1
Livable Streets videos on the web
17.0%
9
4
None of the above
28.3%
15
3. Have you contacted anyone using email, social media, letters
and/or by phone call to discuss livable streets?
Response
Response
Answer Options
Percent
Count
Yes
44.6%
25
No
55.4%
31
Whom did you contact to discuss livable streets? (check all that
apply)
Response
Response
Answer Options
Percent
Count
Fellow citizens
72.0%
18
Elected government leader (such as a mayor,
40.0%
10
city council person)
Local government staff (such as city
48.0%
12
planners, transportation staff)
Local businesses
24.0%
6
Community groups (such as Lions club, PTA,
36.0%
9
Bicycle clubs)
Local media
20.0%
5
State agency staff
4.0%
1
Other (please specify)
16.0%
4
Why have you not contacted anyone to discuss livable streets?
(check all that apply)
Response
Response
Answer Options
Percent
Count
Too busy
44.4%
12
Uncertain who to contact
14.8%
4
Uncomfortable communicating about livable
0.0%
0
streets
Uncertain about what to communicate
48.1%
13
regarding livable streets
Not interested in promoting livable streets
0.0%
0
Other (please specify)
14.8%
4
4. What was the impact of livable streets advocacy efforts in your
community? (check all that apply)
Response
Response
Answer Options
Percent
Count
A coalition or group has formed to discuss
29.2%
14
transportation improvements
5
A community bicycle/pedestrian plan was
initiated and/or developed
A livable streets policy or ordinance was
adopted
A livable streets policy or ordinance was
implemented
Funding was sought to support livable
streets projects
None of the above
Other (please specify)
31.3%
15
10.4%
5
4.2%
2
14.6%
7
27.1%
33.3%
13
16
5. How were livable streets advocacy efforts received in your
community?
Response
Response
Answer Options
Percent
Count
Very favorably
6.5%
3
Favorably
69.6%
32
Neither favorably or non-favorably
19.6%
9
Non-Favorably
2.2%
1
Very non-favorably
2.2%
1
6. Did your livable streets advocacy activities link to other advocacy
efforts in your community, such as advocacy for safe routes to
school, school site locations or healthy food access?
Response
Response
Answer Options
Percent
Count
No
37.8%
17
Yes (please describe)
62.2%
28
Qualitative Survey: Tool
Open-ended questions:
1. How did the advocacy training prepare you for being a livable streets advocate?
2. What are the opportunities for partnership in your community to facilitate
advocacy?
3. What techniques have you found to be the most successful for affecting change?
4. What changes have you noticed in your community from your advocacy efforts?
5. How capable do you feel to affect change as a livable streets advocate?
6. How can (Trailnet/Pednet/MO Bike Fed) best support you in the future as an
advocate?
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Quantitative questions:
7. What is your age?
8. What is your home zip code?
9. Which training did you attend?
10. On average, how many days per week do you participate in active commuting? On a
scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being not at all prepared and 5 being completely prepared,
how well do you feel that the Livable Streets advocacy training prepared you to be a
complete streets advocate in your community?
11. Have you contacted a local policy maker, such as an alderman or state congressman,
about livable streets since attending the training? Who?
12. How interested are you in future Livable Streets trainings? Very interested,
Somewhat interested, or Not very interested
13. If interested in future trainings, what topics would you be most interested in?
14. Is there anyone else in your organization who would be interested in attending a
training?
Qualitative Survey: Results
Training attendees who provided a phone number on the sign-in sheet were eligible
to take part in the qualitative survey. Through communication with participants, it was
noted there was a general concern that too much time had passed to accurately provide
feedback on the training. From the interviews that were completed, though, the following
themes were identified:






Training and presentations should be provided directly to those with the capacity to
make affect political change, such as: mayors and other elected officials, and
planning commissions and councils at their meetings
Advocates must meet policy makers where they are and continue their efforts
through continuous communication
Raising awareness has been possible, but actual progress has not occurred due to
lack of funding
There are opportunities for partnerships with school districts, neighborhood
associations, and city councils
Examples of what has worked for other communities has been helpful and
collaboration with supporters of various causes increases knowledge and strength
Attendees are somewhat interested in future trainings
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Additional Analyses
Many people have perceptions about what a livable street should be and where they
should and can be located. Data from the 2010 U.S. Census indicates that the cities in which
livable streets ordinances are in effect are varied by median household income and by
population. The city of Clayton has a population of around 16,000 people with the median
household income at $87,756. In the city of St. Louis, there is a population of approximately
320,000 and the median household income is $33,652. Though these cities are quite
different from one another, they both support complete streets policy. The following tables
provide a better look at these cities.
Analyses of city legislation demographics are important because it not only provides
direction for future policies, but also shows how they may be supported.
These data are significant to the Livable Streets Advocacy Training stakeholders and
constituents because they can be used to support advocacy efforts. When lobbying for
livable street policy action, advocates should provide evidence of where such legislation
exists and how their city could support it as well.
City Ordinances – Differences in Population and Income
City
Population
Median Household Income
Clayton
15,939
$87,756
Columbia
108,500
$41,287
Crystal City
4,855
$47,550
De Soto
6,400
$40,149
Ferguson
21,203
$37,134
Herculaneum
3,468
$48,841
St. Louis
319,294
$33,652
Pevely
5,484
$36,045
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Understanding Cities with Livable Streets Ordinances
Mean travel time to work (minutes)
35.0
30.0
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
Mean travel time to work
(minutes)
5.0
0.0
Mode of Commuting to Work (%)
100.0
80.0
Other (%)
60.0
40.0
20.0
Walk (%)
Public Transport. (%)
0.0
Drive to work - alone or
carpool (%)
Recommendations
It is recommended that MoCAN gauge the awareness of the Livable Streets Initiative
amongst the general public. The majority of the training participants were members of
bike-ped organizations, city councils, or health departments and were already informed on
the topic. A survey that provides results on awareness level will help MoCAN and other
stakeholders know how to best market the program and increase support. Leveraging the
general public is important for making lasting, meaningful policy change. An awareness
survey was created and included in this report (see appendix). The survey may be
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administered through neighborhood associations and with other methods of random
sampling.
Understanding current policies and using examples as evidence should be part of
the advocacy process. Comparison of policies in place is important for lawmakers to show
feasibility of the legislation. A fact sheet has been created and is included in the appendix of
this report. This information should be available to participants to use in their advocacy
efforts. MoCAN and other stakeholders should disseminate policy happenings and
information to all constituents. The agency has contact information for almost all of the
training attendees; it is recommended that they update participants on progress and issues
via email. This will keep participants engaged and invested and will provide opportunities
for advocacy and collaboration.
The length of time between the program and follow-up was a limitation for
evaluation. It is recommended that in the future, feedback is collected promptly and
continuously. The changing needs of communities and contextual factors should also be
taken into account as MoCAN continues to support the Livable Streets Initiative.
Conclusion
The Missouri Livable Streets Advocacy Trainings provided an opportunity to inform
individuals and to form community partnerships around the issue of Livable Streets. The
training in Kirksiville, MO had the largest turnout of attendees, perhaps due to the Truman
State University population. Overall, the most common action taken following the training
was speaking with fellow citizens about Livable Streets. In general, Livable Streets efforts
are viewed favorably within the community and link with other current efforts. The main
reason participants reported for not contacting others about the issue was due to lack of
time and/or not knowing what to communicate.
Future Livable Street Advocacy efforts should be focused on elected officials and
policy makers. Training attendees generally feel capable of communicating about the cause
and raising awareness but do not consider themselves able to make political change.
Advocacy efforts should be most rigorous in communities in which there is no current
legislation and should draw from community successes. Through continual communication,
advocates and policy makers should be informed and educated on all factors affecting the
initiative as they are happening.
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Appendix
Livable Streets Awareness Survey
Please circle the answer that best describes you.
Age___________
Zip Code (home) ________________
1. On average, how many days per week do you participate in active commuting? By active
commuting, we mean walking or biking for at least 10 minutes as a form of transportation.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
2. On average, how many days per week do you participate in walking or biking for leisure? By
walking or biking for leisure, we mean at least 30 minutes of activity for exercise or pleasure.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3. How many miles is your work or school from your home? If you attend both school and work,
please choose the location you travel to most often.
Less than 1 mile
2 to 6 miles
6 to 10 miles
More than 10
n/a
4. How safe would you feel biking or walking on streets to your work or school?
Not at all safe
Moderately safe
Extremely safe n/a
5. On a scale of 1 to 5, how important is it to you to be able to walk or bike to your school or
work?
Not at all important
1
Moderately important
2
3
Extremely important
4
5
n/a
6. On a scale of 1 to 5, how important is it to you to be able to walk or bike to places such as coffee
shops, grocery stores, restaurants, or other desired retail/service locations from your home?
Not at all important
1
Moderately important
2
3
Extremely important
4
5
n/a
7. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being not at all important and 5 being extremely important, please rank
the importance of each of the following features for streets in your community.
Sidewalks: 1
2
3
4
5
Local businesses:
1
2
3
4
5
Bike lanes: 1
2
3
4
5
Accessible bus stops:
1
2
3
4
5
Medians:
2
3
4
5
Crosswalks:
1
2
3
4
5
Safe routes for kids to walk to school:
1
2
1
3
4
5
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The term ‘livable/complete streets’ is used to describe streets designed and operated to enable safe access
for all users, including walkers, bikers, persons with disabilities, and children.
8. Are you familiar with the concept of livable/complete streets?
Yes
No
9. Are you familiar with the policies regarding livable streets in your community? Yes
No
10. Have you ever attended a Livable Streets Advocacy Training?
No
Yes
11. Have you attended any events hosted by bike/pedestrian organizations, such as Trailnet,
PedNet Coalition, Missouri bike federations, etc.?
Yes
No
12. If yes, please name the organization(s) you have been involved with.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
13. If no, are you interested in becoming involved with bike/ped organizations in your
community?
Yes
No
12. On a scale of 1 to 5, how interested would you be in learning more about Missouri Livable
Streets?
Not at all interested
1
2
Extremely interested
3
4
5
13. Would you like to receive information about being a livable streets advocate? Yes
No
14. If yes, please provide your email address ________________________________________________
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