Not all streets have the same purpose, and that affects how they are designed. For example, main streets that connect busy areas will be wider, with higher speeds. Streets in neighborhoods will have designs that slow down traffic and provide more bike lanes and sidewalks.

The city's General Plan Mobility Element lists the different types of streets and the features they should have. Because much of our transportation system was built a long time ago, it will take time to transform all city streets to meet these definitions, but all new streets will be designed according to these guidelines from the start.