Five Massachusetts communities placed in the top 10 for their “complete streets” policies in 2014, according to Smart Growth America’s National Complete Streets Coalition.

Acton, Middleton, Reading and Salem tied for sixth place and Stoughton placed 10th.

The rankings reflect the extent to which infrastructure such as sidewalks, bike lanes, curb cuts, well-marked street crossings, and public transportation are part of the built environment.

The National Complete Streets Coalition “promotes the development and implementation of policies and professional practices that ensure streets are safe for people of all ages and abilities, balance the needs of different modes, and support local land uses, economies, cultures, and natural environments.”

Communities that have achieved the Complete Streets designation are in better position to improve safety, encourage walking and bicycling, and revitalize neighborhoods, according to SmartGrowth America’s website (www.smartgrowthamerica.org/complete-streets).

A total of 564 municipalities, along with counties and regional planning organizations, have qualified for the Complete Streets program since it was introduced in 2004.

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