In transportation planning, a mode is a type of travel. For instance, taking the bus is one mode, while driving is another. Walking is the most basic mode.  Improving the function of streets is vital and must be viewed as a means to move people; not just cars.   Multi-modal streets are streets that can comfortably accommodate multiple modes of transportation, including:

public transportation,

pedestrians,

bicycles, and 

private vehicles

Multi-modal streets accommodate more trips by more people in the same amount of space by improving transit and providing better pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Multi-modal streets consider all types of transportation to be equally important, helping mixed-use development become successful as well as reducing traffic congestion.