Why should you care about the election?

The November 2, 2010 election holds great promise to elect supportive leadership who will take an active role in not only making the East Bay more bike-friendly, but also place the East Bay at the forefront of US urban areas discovering the wonderful benefits that bike-friendly streets bring to communities.

Why should you care about the election?

The November 2, 2010 election holds great promise to elect supportive leadership who will take an active role in not only making the East Bay more bike-friendly, but also place the East Bay at the forefront of US urban areas discovering the wonderful benefits that bike-friendly streets bring to communities.

We need strong, pro-bike elected officials to pass legislation in favor of increasing funding for bicycle, pedestrian and transit infrastructure, and to make the tough decisions to redesign our roadways for safer, more inviting bicycling. We have asked each candidate about their stand on many issues, and once they are voted into office we will ensure they follow through on their promises.

Berkeley City Council Candidate Responses

Back to our Vote Page

Anthony Di Donato

Jasper Kingeter

1. Do you use a bicycle for transportation? If so, for what purposes (commuting, recreation, errands) and how often? Please indicate how you most commonly commute to work. (300 words or less)

I have never owned a car and ride my bicycle daily. I started riding a bicycle when I was 6 years old to commute to school. I recently purchased a used electric bicycle that costs $0.05 a day to charge. I love bicycles.

2. Do you feel Berkeley is a bicycle-friendly city? Please explain (300 words or less)

The bicycle boulevards are handy. I would like to see dedicated colored lanes (like in Europe) possibly on some main roads, similar to what was done on Marin st. in Albany/Berkeley (except colored).

3. AB 32, California’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act, was enacted in 2006 and calls for a reduction in Greenhouse Gases (GHG) to 1990 levels by the year 2020–a 25% reduction from 2005 levels. In the same year, Berkeley voters overwhelmingly approved Measure G as a call to reduce GHG’s by 80% by the year 2050. This is a 2% reduction/year. In January 2009, the Berkeley City Council adopted its Climate Action Plan, which calls for establishing as our primary means of transportation in Berkeley, the modes of public transit, walking, and cycling. What will you do as a City Councilmember to reduce the City’s transportation-related GHG’s by at least 2% per year? (300 words or less)

I feel the most effective way to promote cycling and less auto-use is through education and carefully planned motorways that encourage bicycle use. Citizens should feel comfortable riding a bicycle and feel that it is a convenient way to commute. If motorways are built efficiently I feel this could be accomplished.

4. When making streets of Berkeley safe for bicycling, as called for in the City’s Bicycle Plan, there are often conflicts between the needs for more parking, sufficient traffic flow, AC Transit bus service, and safe bike access. This particularly happens on busy arterials, such as Telegraph Ave, Shattuck Ave and Gilman Street, where buses run and where there are many businesses that want sufficient parking for their customers. Yet, bicyclists need to patronize these businesses as well use the streets to get to and from work. These streets are often the most direct routes and the safest for cyclists to use at night, which is why they are included in the City’s Bicycle Plan. Knowing that in many cases, streets will likely have to be reconfigured, reducing the number of conventional car lanes and/or converting space for on-street parking to make room for bicycle right-of-way, what ideas do you have to make our busy arterial streets safe for bicycling? (300 words or less);

I want to stress colored bike lanes. We also have to consider that people are coming directly off of the freeway on to Gilman. I’m very concerned about reducing the traffic flow in the residential area of Gilman past San Pablo. Secondly, I have been riding side streets in Berkeley for about 10 years and feel they are completely safe to ride day or night. We need more emphasis on bicyclists having proper lighting on their bikes. Perhaps we could work with a manufacturer to do a promotional give away of bike lights in order to increase safety.

5. A world-wide trend to enhance the quality of city life and support economic development has led countless cities to create car-free space on city streets, providing opportunities for people to bike, walk and play safely in their neighborhoods. They have proven to be extremely popular. Berkeley’s Downtown Area Plan calls for a pedestrian-only Center Street, and a plaza for City Hall has been proposed on Milvia St., which would greatly help implement that downtown bicycle boulevard. As Councilmember, will you commit to expanding pedestrian zones and to significantly increase funding for more car-free spaces in Berkeley? Yes/No

Abstain.

6. At the current rate of implementation, the Bicycle Plan will take another 20 or more years to implement. A current challenge is limited staff time to devote to bicycle plan implementation. Will you commit to increasing staff resources directed toward implementation of the Bicycle Plan? Yes/No

As far as my staff is concerned, yes.

7. A major safety and circulation problem in the Southside area is created by so many one-way streets. These types of streets also make the Southside a less desirable place to live and work. In an effort to improve the livability and economic vitality of the Southside, do you support returning one-way streets back to two-way travel? Yes/No

Abstain.

8. For generations, state, regional and even Berkeley policies have prioritized traffic flow and space for private motor vehicles, to the detriment of walking, bicycling and transit. Around the world, many cities are reversing this priority and using the following hierarchy in transportation planning; pedestrians first, then bicyclists, transit vehicles, and lastly private motor vehicles. If elected, will you support this priority hierarchy in the City of Berkeley? Yes/No

Abstain.

9. Research has shown that 20 mph is the upper limit at which motorists can safely perceive and react to pedestrians and bicyclists. In fact, according to the Federal Highway Administration, a pedestrian is 8 times more likely to be killed in a collision with a car going 30 mph than with one going 20 mph. Many cities have established maximum speeds of 20 mph for this very reason. If elected, would you support taking measures to ensure maximum speeds on Berkeley’s streets of 20mph? Yes/No

Abstain.

10. Please respond to the following short questions:

a. Do you support establishing a bike parking zoning ordinance for new residential development in Berkeley? Yes/No

Yes.

b. Do you support establishing for Berkeley the goal of cutting bicycle crash rates in half over the next four years? Yes/No

Yes.

c. Do you support increasing funding for the City’s bicycle fund? Yes/No

Yes.

d. Do you support doubling the bicycle mode share in Berkeley in the next four years? Yes/No

Abstain.

e. Do you support establishing an effective pedestrian safety campaign in Berkeley? Yes/No

Abstain.

f. Do you support expanding the traffic calming program to limit thru traffic in residential neighborhoods? Yes/No

Yes

g. Alameda County has started work on Sustainable Communities Strategies as part of SB 375, which requires the state of California to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Do you support the goal of reducing the number of vehicle miles traveled in Berkeley? Yes/No;

Yes

11. Do you support Measure R, the non-binding ballot measure regarding the Downtown Berkeley Plan?Yes/No

No.

12. What other ideas do you have to increase the number of people bicycling in Berkeley? (300 words or less);

Promotion of free educational workshops on bicycle safety and repair. A great resource for this in Berkeley is http://www.watersideworkshops.org/slc/fix.php which is located in aquatic park. Here is a quote from their website: “We teach you how to fix your bike for free, so that you are confident using it as a form of transport and maintaining it yourself.” I love using their free shop and free educational workshops. This is a great example of public service!

Linda Maio

1. Do you use a bicycle for transportation? If so, for what purposes (commuting, recreation, errands) and how often? Please indicate how you most commonly commute to work. (300 words or less)

I walk to work and use my bicycle for errands.

2. Do you feel Berkeley is a bicycle-friendly city? Please explain (300 words or less)

Not particularly. We have made great strides with our bike plan but we do not have protected lanes for cyclists on main streets.

3. The Bicycle Plan calls for removing stop signs on bike boulevards, improving the safety and convenience of boulevard crossings of busy arterials, and keeping motor vehicle traffic volumes at a minimum on the bicycle boulevards. If elected how will you help acheive these goals? Please explain (300 words or less)

I am THE major proponent of traffic calming on the council.

4. AB 32, California’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act, was enacted in 2006 and calls for a reduction in Greenhouse Gases (GHG) to 1990 levels by the year 2020–a 25% reduction from 2005 levels. In the same year, Berkeley voters overwhelmingly approved Measure G as a call to reduce GHG’s by 80% by the year 2050. This is a 2% reduction/year. In January 2009, the Berkeley City Council adopted its Climate Action Plan, which calls for establishing as our primary means of transportation in Berkeley, the modes of public transit, walking, and cycling. What will you do as a City Councilmember to reduce the City’s transportation-related GHG’s by at least 2% per year? (300 words or less)

Discouraging waiting vehicles at City Hall from keeping their engines on (both for city employees and others; building housing downtown so commuters live near their work (supporting Measure R); promoting bio-diesel in our fleets; supporting California Youth Energy Services (which I helped start) in their work in reducing GHG’s through home energy conservation.

5. When making streets of Berkeley safe for bicycling, as called for in the City’s Bicycle Plan, there are often conflicts between the needs for more parking, sufficient traffic flow, AC Transit bus service, and safe bike access. This particularly happens on busy arterials, such as Telegraph Ave, Shattuck Ave and Gilman Street, where buses run and where there are many businesses that want sufficient parking for their customers. Yet, bicyclists need to patronize these businesses as well use the streets to get to and from work. These streets are often the most direct routes and the safest for cyclists to use at night, which is why they are included in the City’s Bicycle Plan. Knowing that in many cases, streets will likely have to be reconfigured, reducing the number of conventional car lanes and/or converting space for on-street parking to make room for bicycle right-of-way, what ideas do you have to make our busy arterial streets safe for bicycling? (300 words or less);

Dedicated bike lanes. Best would be protected lanes (with barriers) but this is nearly impossible in a town such as ours.

6. A world-wide trend to enhance the quality of city life and support economic development has led countless cities to create car-free space on city streets, providing opportunities for people to bike, walk and play safely in their neighborhoods. They have proven to be extremely popular. Berkeley’s Downtown Area Plan calls for a pedestrian-only Center Street, and a plaza for City Hall has been proposed on Milvia St., which would greatly help implement that downtown bicycle boulevard. As Councilmember, will you commit to expanding pedestrian zones and to significantly increase funding for more car-free spaces in Berkeley? Yes/No

YES

7. At the current rate of implementation, the Bicycle Plan will take another 20 or more years to implement. A current challenge is limited staff time to devote to bicycle plan implementation. Will you commit to increasing staff resources directed toward implementation of the Bicycle Plan? Yes/No

WE HAVE DEDICATED STAFF, ALTHOUGH NOT ENOUGH, BUT I CAN’T TRADE OFF ONE NEED AGAINST ANOTHER IN THIS DIFFICULT BUDGET PERIOD.

8. A major safety and circulation problem in the Southside area is created by so many one-way streets. These types of streets also make the Southside a less desirable place to live and work. In an effort to improve the livability and economic vitality of the Southside, do you support returning one-way streets back to two-way travel? Yes/No

NOT SUFFICIENTLY STUDIED.

9. For generations, state, regional and even Berkeley policies have prioritized traffic flow and space for private motor vehicles, to the detriment of walking, bicycling and transit. Around the world, many cities are reversing this priority and using the following heirarchy in transportation planning; pedestrians first, then bicyclists, transit vehicles, and lastly private motor vehicles. If elected, will you support this priority hierarchy in the City of Berkeley? Yes/No

YES

10. Research has shown that 20 mph is the upper limit at which motorists can safely perceive and react to pedestrians and bicyclists. In fact, according to the Federal Highway Administration, a pedestrian is 8 times more likely to be killed in a collision with a car going 30 mph than with one going 20 mph. Many cities have established maximum speeds of 20 mph for this very reason. If elected, would you support taking measures to ensure maximum speeds on Berkeley’s streets of 20mph? Yes/No WE HAVE A 25 MPH SPEED LIMIT.

NOT SURE WHAT 20 MPH WOULD ACHIEVE. I AM WORKING ON IMPLEMENTING TRAFFIC CALMING VERTICAL DEVICES TO SLOW TRAFFIC.

11. Please respond to the following short questions:
a. Do you support establishing a bike parking zoning ordinance for new residential development in Berkeley? Yes/No

YES

b. Do you support establishing for Berkeley the goal of cutting bicycle crash rates in half over the next four years? Yes/No

YES

c. Do you support increasing funding for the City’s bicycle fund? Yes/No

CANNOT COMMIT.

d. Do you support doubling the bicycle mode share in Berkeley in the next four years? Yes/No

YES

e. Do you support establishing an effective pedestrian safety campaign in Berkeley? Yes/No

YES

f. Do you support expanding the traffic calming program to limit thru traffic in residential neighborhoods? Yes/No

YES

g. Alameda County has started work on Sustainable Communities Strategies as part of SB 375, which requires the state of California to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Do you support the goal of reducing the number of vehicle miles traveled in Berkeley? Yes/No;

YES

h. Do you support Measure R, the non-binding ballot measure regarding the Downtown Berkeley Plan? Yes/No

YES

12. What other ideas do you have to increase the number of people bicycling in Berkeley? (300 words or less);

Merrilie Mitchell

1. Do you use a bicycle for transportation?

Yes, for most local purposes including going to laundromat, which is a bit of a pain going uphill, but beats walking. I do not drive and stopped years ago. I also bus, BART, take Amtrak to Sacramento, Colorado, NY, Florida. I don’t fly.

2. Do you feel Berkeley is a bicycle-friendly city? Not really. It could and should be much better for bikers, and walkers.

No answer.

3. The Bicycle Plan calls for removing stop signs on bike boulevards, improving the safety and convenience of boulevard crossings of busy arterials, and keeping motor vehicle traffic volumes at a minimum on the bicycle boulevards. If elected how will you help achieve these goals? Sounds good but I don’t travel on the bike boulevards, I use the Ohlone Greenway which should be extended across town to the South, and I choose “slow” quiet streets. So I would need to look into this.

No answer.

4. AB 32, California’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act, was enacted in 2006 and calls for a reduction in Greenhouse Gases (GHG) to 1990 levels by the year 2020–a 25% reduction from 2005 levels. In the same year, Berkeley voters overwhelmingly approved Measure G as a call to reduce GHG’s by 80% by the year 2050. This is a 2% reduction/year. In January 2009, the Berkeley City Council adopted its Climate Action Plan, which calls for establishing as our primary means of transportation in Berkeley, the modes of public transit, walking, and cycling. What will you do as a City Councilmember to reduce the City’s transportation-related GHG’s by at least 2% per year?

2% per year is not enough of a reduction.

We need to save our trees and natural areas, clean up and restore the Bay, waterways and the Ocean, and stop paving the earth.

I have a plan for connecting the existing shuttle buses of Berkeley into a T formed by the intersectin of the AC Transit Buses # 18 on Shattuck and #51/ #52 on University Ave and along UC Campus. This could allow people to hop on and off, shop, stop for lunch, whatever, for one ticket or one transfer and apunch for say 4 hours,probably not in rush hours.. That should help but would be better if everyone had an had an Ecopass.

5. When making streets of Berkeley safe for bicycling, as called for in the City’s Bicycle Plan, there are often conflicts between the needs for more parking, sufficient traffic flow, AC Transit bus service, and safe bike access. This particularly happens on busy arterials, such as Telegraph Ave, Shattuck Ave and Gilman Street, where buses run and where there are many businesses that want sufficient parking for their customers. Yet, bicyclists need to patronize these businesses as well use the streets to get to and from work. These streets are often the most direct routes and the safest for cyclists to use at night, which is why they are included in the City’s Bicycle Plan. Knowing that in many cases, streets will likely have to be reconfigured, reducing the number of conventional car lanes and/or converting space for on-street parking to make room for bicycle right-of-way, what ideas do you have to make our busy arterial streets safe for bicycling?

For #6 through#11. Maybe. Sounds good, but depends on what you do and how you do it. Yes/ or No is not an apropriate answer for a complex question.

We should be peacemakers and educators in this and also willing to test controversial ideas on a limited scale.

6. A world-wide trend to enhance the quality of city life and support economic development has led countless cities to create car-free space on city streets, providing opportunities for people to bike, walk and play safely in their neighborhoods. They have proven to be extremely popular. Berkeley’s Downtown Area Plan calls for a pedestrian-only Center Street, and a plaza for City Hall has been proposed on Milvia St., which would greatly help implement that downtown bicycle boulevard. As Councilmember, will you commit to expanding pedestrian zones and to significantly increase funding for more car-free spaces in Berkeley? Yes/No

7. At the current rate of implementation, the Bicycle Plan will take another 20 or more years to implement. A current challenge is limited staff time to devote to bicycle plan implementation. Will you commit to increasing staff resources directed toward implementation of the Bicycle Plan? Yes/No

8. A major safety and circulation problem in the Southside area is created by so many one-way streets. These types of streets also make the Southside a less desirable place to live and work. In an effort to improve the livability and economic vitality of the Southside, do you support returning one-way streets back to two-way travel? Yes/No

9. For generations, state, regional and even Berkeley policies have prioritized traffic flow and space for private motor vehicles, to the detriment of walking, bicycling and transit. Around the world, many cities are reversing this priority and using the following hierarchy in transportation planning; pedestrians first, then bicyclists, transit vehicles, and lastly private motor vehicles. If elected, will you support this priority hierarchy in the City of Berkeley? Yes/No

10. Research has shown that 20 mph is the upper limit at which motorists can safely perceive and react to pedestrians and bicyclists. In fact, according to the Federal Highway Administration, a pedestrian is 8 times more likely to be killed in a collision with a car going 30 mph than with one going 20 mph. Many cities have established maximum speeds of 20 mph for this very reason. If elected, would you support taking measures to ensure maximum speeds on Berkeley’s streets of 20mph? Yes/No

I like this idea very, very much!

11. Please respond to the following short questions:

a. Do you support establishing a bike parking zoning ordinance for new residential development in Berkeley? Yes/No

b. Do you support establishing for Berkeley the goal of cutting bicycle crash rates in half over the next four years? Yes/No

c. Do you support increasing funding for the City’s bicycle fund? Yes/No

d. Do you support doubling the bicycle mode share in Berkeley in the next four years? Yes/No

e. Do you support establishing an effective pedestrian safety campaign in Berkeley? Yes/No

f. Do you support expanding the traffic calming program to limit thru traffic in residential neighborhoods? Yes/No

g. Alameda County has started work on Sustainable Communities Strategies as part of SB 375, which requires the state of California to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Do you support the goal of reducing the number of vehicle miles traveled in Berkeley? Yes/No;

h. Do you support Measure R, the non-binding ballot measure regarding the Downtown Berkeley Plan? Yes/No

12. What other ideas do you have to increase the number of people bicycling in Berkeley? (300 words or less);

Create more long greenway paths, safer routes to schools, and connect the bike paths.

Jesse Arreguin

Jim Novosel

1. Do you use a bicycle for transportation? If so, for what purposes (commuting, recreation, errands) and how often? Please indicate how you most commonly commute to work. (300 words or less)

I commute to work from my house about 3 or more times a week. I live in central Berkeley on California Street and my office is 2 miles south on Alcatraz Avenue in Berkeley. I am an office worker and most of my architectural projects are located in Berkeley. It is very convenient and pleasant ride through these lowland neighborhoods. I started this about a year ago and am committed to continuing for both health, stress reduction and economic reasons. On the weekends, my wife and I bike to the Central Library, the Farmers Market and other places about once every other week. We also just enjoy recreation riding around west Berkeley and Oakland looking at sights. It’s a great way to see the town.

2. Do you feel Berkeley is a bicycle-friendly city? Please explain (300 words or less).

Absolutely, it is a bicycle friendly city with all of its bike boulevards. I find vehicular drivers getting more and more courteous. Most importantly for me, I find myself getting more courteous with bike, car drivers and especially pedestrians. Slow down is my mantra. Riding my bike has made me aware of how fast we travel through our city environs and how it doesn’t make much difference. We are also lucky to live in a well suited topography for bicycling.

3. The Bicycle Plan calls for removing stop signs on bike boulevards, improving the safety and convenience of boulevard crossings of busy arterials, and keeping motor vehicle traffic volumes at a minimum on the bicycle boulevards. If elected how will you help achieve these goals? Please explain (300 words or less)

I am new to the whole Bicycle Plan and what it calls for. Let me take each one of these issues separately:

Removing stop signs on bike boulevards.
I would want to know how this could be done without then encouraging more motor vehicles to use the boulevard streets because of the lack of stop signs. I believe in a shared road concept with slower speeds as a way to foster safe and pleasant riding.
Improving the safety and convenience of boulevard crossing of busy arterials.
I believe that signage should be added to the cross traffic streets noting that traffic is approaching a bicycle boulevard and that traffic should be aware of this. For the time being, when I come to a busy arterial, I dismount and walk my bike across the intersection. The traffic stops for me because I am a pedestrian and I make it across the intersection in just as good of time if I had waited for a break and rode across. If I try to continue riding my bike, no one stops. I accept the fact at this point in urban transportation, cars still rule the roads and to challenge this is to risk injury. I pass this important lesson along to my children who really need to learn this.

Keeping motor vehicle traffic volumes at a minimum on the bicycle boulevards.
I am not sure how to do this and look forward to exploring ideas on how to achieve such a goal. I believe that it is much more important for bicycle safety that we work to keep motor vehicle speeds low. The safety of bicyclists would increase measurably if everyone drove at the legal 25 mph speed limit. I generally believe in a “share the road” concept for all users of our public streets.

4. AB 32, California’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act, was enacted in 2006 and calls for a reduction in Greenhouse Gases (GHG) to 1990 levels by the year 2020–a 25% reduction from 2005 levels. In the same year, Berkeley voters overwhelmingly approved Measure G as a call to reduce GHG’s by 80% by the year 2050. This is a 2% reduction/year. In January 2009, the Berkeley City Council adopted its Climate Action Plan, which calls for establishing as our primary means of transportation in Berkeley, the modes of public transit, walking, and cycling. What will you do as a City Councilmember to reduce the City’s transportation-related GHG’s by at least 2% per year? (300 words or less)

I want to encourage more public transit and walking as ways to get around town. To do this, I would like to look at free transit passes and making our streets more pleasant to encourage walking. We should also explore the free bicycle program that other cities have implemented.

5. When making streets of Berkeley safe for bicycling, as called for in the City’s Bicycle Plan, there are often conflicts between the needs for more parking, sufficient traffic flow, AC Transit bus service, and safe bike access. This particularly happens on busy arterials, such as Telegraph Ave, Shattuck Ave and Gilman Street, where buses run and where there are many businesses that want sufficient parking for their customers. Yet, bicyclists need to patronize these businesses as well use the streets to get to and from work. These streets are often the most direct routes and the safest for cyclists to use at night, which is why they are included in the City’s Bicycle Plan. Knowing that in many cases, streets will likely have to be reconfigured, reducing the number of conventional car lanes and/or converting space for on-street parking to make room for bicycle right-of-way, what ideas do you have to make our busy arterial streets safe for bicycling? (300 words or less);

As Chair of the SOSIP (Streets and Open Spaces Improvement Plan) Committee, I have advocated that Shattuck Avenue have a bicycle lane. When I travel during the day from south Berkeley into the Downtown, I use Shattuck instead of Milvia for it leads me directly to the shops and restaurants that I usually want to visit. I believe that especially Telegraph and Shattuck should have bicycle lanes coordinated with public transit and parking modifications. It is unfortunate that the EIR on the full BRT was stopped by a poorly thought out Council vote.

6. A world-wide trend to enhance the quality of city life and support economic development has led countless cities to create car-free space on city streets, providing opportunities for people to bike, walk and play safely in their neighborhoods. They have proven to be extremely popular. Berkeley’s Downtown Area Plan calls for a pedestrian-only Center Street, and a plaza for City Hall has been proposed on Milvia St., which would greatly help implement that downtown bicycle boulevard. As Councilmember, will you commit to expanding pedestrian zones and to significantly increase funding for more car-free spaces in Berkeley? Yes/No

Absolutely yes. As Chair of the SOSIP Committee, I have advocated for the creation of a Center Street Public Square and we have given its creation the highest priority of all the Downtown street improvements. I would also like to have the Milvia Street bike way completed through the Downtown between Allston and University. We have recommended this on the SOSIP Committee.

7. At the current rate of implementation, the Bicycle Plan will take another 20 or more years to implement. A current challenge is limited staff time to devote to bicycle plan implementation. Will you commit to increasing staff resources directed toward implementation of the Bicycle Plan? Yes/No

Yes.

8. A major safety and circulation problem in the Southside area is created by so many one-way streets. These types of streets also make the Southside a less desirable place to live and work. In an effort to improve the livability and economic vitality of the Southside, do you support returning one-way streets back to two-way travel? Yes/No

Yes. I strong support and will strive to undo the one-way street pattern for Bancroft and Durant which I believe can be accomplished easily. This will immensely increase pedestrian and bicycle safety around the University campus. For Haste and Dwight, I am inclined to do likewise but would like to have this idea studied more first.

9. For generations, state, regional and even Berkeley policies have prioritized traffic flow and space for private motor vehicles, to the detriment of walking, bicycling and transit. Around the world, many cities are reversing this priority and using the following heirarchy in transportation planning; pedestrians first, then bicyclists, transit vehicles, and lastly private motor vehicles. If elected, will you support this priority hierarchy in the City of Berkeley? Yes/No

Yes. And thank heavens that we live in California where the pedestrian has more right here than there is on the East Coast.

10. Research has shown that 20 mph is the upper limit at which motorists can safely perceive and react to pedestrians and bicyclists. In fact, according to the Federal Highway Administration, a pedestrian is 8 times more likely to be killed in a collision with a car going 30 mph than with one going 20 mph. Many cities have established maximum speeds of 20 mph for this very reason. If elected, would you support taking measures to ensure maximum speeds on Berkeley’s streets of 20mph? Yes/No

Yes, absolutely. As I have stated above, I believe that in our City, pedestrian and bicyclist safety is best accomplished through lowered speeds for motor vehicles.

11. Please respond to the following short questions:

a. Do you support establishing a bike parking zoning ordinance for new residential development in Berkeley? Yes/No

Yes. We have help create several large housing projects and it was always important to have bicycle storage rooms and secure racks in the parking garages.

b. Do you support establishing for Berkeley the goal of cutting bicycle crash rates in half over the next four years? Yes/No

Yes

c. Do you support increasing funding for the City’s bicycle fund? Yes/No

Yes.

d. Do you support doubling the bicycle mode share in Berkeley in the next four years? Yes/No

Yes

e. Do you support establishing an effective pedestrian safety campaign in Berkeley? Yes/No

Yes

f. Do you support expanding the traffic calming program to limit thru traffic in residential neighborhoods? Yes/No

Yes

g. Alameda County has started work on Sustainable Communities Strategies as part of SB 375, which requires the state of California to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Do you support the goal of reducing the number of vehicle miles traveled in Berkeley? Yes/No;

Yes

h. Do you support Measure R, the non-binding ballot measure regarding the Downtown Berkeley Plan? Yes/No

Yes. I support it strongly as a way to accomplish one of the major goals that is in every one of the Downtown Plans that have been devised in the last five years. This goal is to increase the number of people who live around the BART transit station by allowing a few tall buildings. Measure R is also supported by the Sierra Club, the Wellstone Democratic Club, the Berkeley Democratic Club and other environment groups as a way to move past the building height wars that have dominated the dialogue and stymied finalizing a Downtown Plan. It was passed by a strong 7 to 2 vote by the City Council and simply asks the citizens to approve the possibility of 3 new buildings up to the height of our present 2 tall buildings. Those who oppose the measure, including my opponent, have not proposed any workable alternate that would lead to a Downtown Plan.

12. What other ideas do you have to increase the number of people bicycling in Berkeley? (300 words or less);

I think that if we can accomplish all that I support in your questionnaire, we will have a great bicycle City. I do look forward to the bicycle community developing and sharing more ideas and support for safe and pleasant bike riding in Berkeley and the East Bay.

Eric Panzer

1. Do you use a bicycle for transportation? If so, for what purposes (commuting, recreation, errands) and how often? Please indicate how you most commonly commute to work. (300 words or less)

I do not use a bicycle for transportation. My apartment is within a fifteen minute walk of my office, Berkeley Bowl, the BART station, and most of Downtown Berkeley. As such, I have not needed any form of personal vehicle in Berkeley since moving here and AC Transit fills in most of the gaps. I’m privileged to be able to commute to work by walking. I believe that in a city of Berkeley’s size and level of environmental commitment, cycling should be a chief means of personal mobility and that we should make our streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians alike.

2. Do you feel Berkeley is a bicycle-friendly city? Please explain (300 words or less)

I feel that Berkeley is a bicycle friendly city by a relative U.S. standard. Unfortunately, this is not saying much; even cities like Davis, CA have come further than Berkeley in terms of their bicycle infrastructure. When compared to international examples like Copenhagen, Denmark, Berkeley and the U.S. have light years still to go. While Berkeley has taken large steps in the right direction with its bicycle boulevards, lanes and other infrastructure, cyclists still face many conflicts with vehicles and are given short shrift in our transportation infrastructure. On many bicycle boulevards, Milvia being a particular example, cyclists must continually contend with high traffic volume and frequent stops. On “conventional” streets, such as Telegraph, Shattuck, and University these problems are even more pronounced. Berkeley should also take a lead role as the center of a regional bicycle network that will allow connectivity between Bay Area communities. All told, Berkeley has come far, but has much, much further to go.

3. The Bicycle Plan calls for removing stop signs on bike boulevards, improving the safety and convenience of boulevard crossings of busy arterials, and keeping motor vehicle traffic volumes at a minimum on the bicycle boulevards. If elected how will you help achieve these goals? Please explain (300 words or less)

As a council member I would vote for the continuance and implementation of these policies. Physical improvements to effect these changes could include additional strategically placed traffic diverters, bicycle-sensitive loop detectors at more intersections, and employment of traffic calming techniques. I would appoint transportation commissioners supportive of bicycle improvements and infrastructure and I would pursue federal and state infrastructure and stimulus funding to aid the implementation of all elements of the Bicycle Plan.

4. AB 32, California’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act, was enacted in 2006 and calls for a reduction in Greenhouse Gases (GHG) to 1990 levels by the year 2020–a 25% reduction from 2005 levels. In the same year, Berkeley voters overwhelmingly approved Measure G as a call to reduce GHG’s by 80% by the year 2050. This is a 2% reduction/year. In January 2009, the Berkeley City Council adopted its Climate Action Plan, which calls for establishing as our primary means of transportation in Berkeley, the modes of public transit, walking, and cycling. What will you do as a City Councilmember to reduce the City’s transportation-related GHG’s by at least 2% per year? (300 words or less)

First and foremost I would fervently support alternative forms of transportation. I strongly favor improved transit service in Berkeley and the Bay Area. Beyond merely lending them my vote, I would champion projects such as Bus Rapid Transit. It is a travesty that in Berkeley, a city that prides itself on its environmental values and commitment to transit, we have council members who would vote to not even study improved transit service along Telegraph Avenue. I also would push for increased and improved pedestrian amenities including improved sidewalks, safer crossings, and new public spaces such as the planned Center St. Plaza. Pursuit of the previously mentioned bicycle improvements will also serve to make cycling a safer, more attractive alternative to automobile use. We should promote the creation of additional high-quality, secure bike stations as we now have in Downtown Berkeley. We should also encourage new businesses and work places to include bicycle or even shower/locker facilities. I would also promote new housing development in Berkeley’s urban core and work to discourage private vehicle use by residents. Having housing close to work and transit opportunities is one of the best ways we can reduce our GHG emissions and we need a council member who will fight for infill housing and green development. We should also seek to have new housing meet strong green development standards. Finally, I support continued efforts to reduce Berkeley’s waste, conserve energy and materials, and promote renewable energy sources.

5. When making streets of Berkeley safe for bicycling, as called for in the City’s Bicycle Plan, there are often conflicts between the needs for more parking, sufficient traffic flow, AC Transit bus service, and safe bike access. This particularly happens on busy arterials, such as Telegraph Ave, Shattuck Ave and Gilman Street, where buses run and where there are many businesses that want sufficient parking for their customers. Yet, bicyclists need to patronize these businesses as well use the streets to get to and from work. These streets are often the most direct routes and the safest for cyclists to use at night, which is why they are included in the City’s Bicycle Plan. Knowing that in many cases, streets will likely have to be reconfigured, reducing the number of conventional car lanes and/or converting space for on-street parking to make room for bicycle right-of-way, what ideas do you have to make our busy arterial streets safe for bicycling? (300 words or less);

For some streets such as Telegraph Avenue, the simple additional of well-delineated bicycle lanes would serve to greatly improve their safety and comfort for cyclists. As stated in the question, replacement of traffic or parking lanes with transit and bicycle infrastructure would represent a major boon to cycling in Berkeley. I am supportive of the study and implementation of right-of-way reconfiguration. As has been done with portions of streets in San Francisco, we should seek to boldly paint wide bike lines and, where feasible, add physical barriers between the motorway and bicycle lanes. An ideal goal would be the creation of bike lanes completely separated from both traffic and parking areas. Even BRT presents opportunities for turning busy thoroughfares like Telegraph Avenue into complete streets where cyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders become central to their design and function.

6. A world-wide trend to enhance the quality of city life and support economic development has led countless cities to create car-free space on city streets, providing opportunities for people to bike, walk and play safely in their neighborhoods. They have proven to be extremely popular. Berkeley’s Downtown Area Plan calls for a pedestrian-only Center Street, and a plaza for City Hall has been proposed on Milvia St., which would greatly help implement that downtown bicycle boulevard. As Councilmember, will you commit to expanding pedestrian zones and to significantly increase funding for more car-free spaces in Berkeley?

Yes

7. At the current rate of implementation, the Bicycle Plan will take another 20 or more years to implement. A current challenge is limited staff time to devote to bicycle plan implementation. Will you commit to increasing staff resources directed toward implementation of the Bicycle Plan?

Yes

8. A major safety and circulation problem in the Southside area is created by so many one-way streets. These types of streets also make the Southside a less desirable place to live and work. In an effort to improve the livability and economic vitality of the Southside, do you support returning one-way streets back to two-way travel?

Yes

9. For generations, state, regional and even Berkeley policies have prioritized traffic flow and space for private motor vehicles, to the detriment of walking, bicycling and transit. Around the world, many cities are reversing this priority and using the following hierarchy in transportation planning; pedestrians first, then bicyclists, transit vehicles, and lastly private motor vehicles. If elected, will you support this priority hierarchy in the City of Berkeley?

Yes

10. Research has shown that 20 mph is the upper limit at which motorists can safely perceive and react to pedestrians and bicyclists. In fact, according to the Federal Highway Administration, a pedestrian is 8 times more likely to be killed in a collision with a car going 30 mph than with one going 20 mph. Many cities have established maximum speeds of 20 mph for this very reason. If elected, would you support taking measures to ensure maximum speeds on Berkeley’s streets of 20mph?

Yes

11. Please respond to the following short questions:
a. Do you support establishing a bike parking zoning ordinance for new residential development in Berkeley?

Yes

b. Do you support establishing for Berkeley the goal of cutting bicycle crash rates in half over the next four years?

Yes

c. Do you support increasing funding for the City’s bicycle fund?

Yes

d. Do you support doubling the bicycle mode share in Berkeley in the next four years?

Yes

e. Do you support establishing an effective pedestrian safety campaign in Berkeley?

Yes

f. Do you support expanding the traffic calming program to limit thru traffic in residential neighborhoods?

Abstain

g. Alameda County has started work on Sustainable Communities Strategies as part of SB 375, which requires the state of California to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Do you support the goal of reducing the number of vehicle miles traveled in Berkeley?

Yes

h. Do you support Measure R, the non-binding ballot measure regarding the Downtown Berkeley Plan?

Yes

12. What other ideas do you have to increase the number of people bicycling in Berkeley? (300 words or less)

All of measures outlined above would serve to increase the appeal and frequency of cycling in Berkeley. Other ideas to further this end include
-Continued and improved outreach to create enthusiasm around cycling and show its benefits
-Creation of a city-wide bikeshare program
-Encourage more businesses to provide bicycle parking, especially secure bicycle parking
-Encourage increased use of bicycle courier services
-Alter traffic laws to allow cyclists to yield-only at stop signs
-Encourage occasional street closures to promote walking and cycling as with San Francisco’s Sunday Street’s and Oakland’s Oaklavia

Bernt Wahl

I will do what I can to encourage bike use and alternative forms of tranportation.

George Beier

1. Do you use a bicycle for transportation? If so, for what purposes (commuting, recreation, errands) and how often? Please indicate how you most commonly commute to work. (300 words or less) I use my bike for transportation in and around Berkeley for commuting, errands, and light trips to the grocery store. I live where it’s pretty flat (near Willard Park) and pretty much bike everywhere easily in South Berkeley and Downtown. I also use my bike as a fundraiser (!) and have done the California AIDS Lifecycle ride twice to fight HIV/AIDS (and promote bikes!)

2. Do you feel Berkeley is a bicycle-friendly city? Please explain (300 words or less) I do feel that Berkeley is bicycle friendly. Motorists are generally polite to me and cede me passage (even when I don’t stop!). The bicycle boulevards that are completed are well marked and are pretty convenient and in the right places. The hardest part for me is crossing streets with no light (such Russell/Shattuck) or crossing the major streets, such as Ashby at Telegraph.

3. The Bicycle Plan calls for removing stop signs on bike boulevards, improving the safety and convenience of boulevard crossings of busy arterials, and keeping motor vehicle traffic volumes at a minimum on the bicycle boulevards. If elected how will you help acheive these goals? Please explain (300 words or less). Removing stop signs: I would do this selectively. Motorists expect a four-way stop. Changing this expectation would have to be done carefully and with adequate signage. I totally support making it easier to cross arterials and getting the cars off of the bicycle boulevards. As for the “how”, it really depends on each application. I’ve been on the Zoning and Planning Commissions – I know that each intersection, diversion, etc. requires its own solution.

4. AB 32, California’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act, was enacted in 2006 and calls for a reduction in Greenhouse Gases (GHG) to 1990 levels by the year 2020–a 25% reduction from 2005 levels. In the same year, Berkeley voters overwhelmingly approved Measure G as a call to reduce GHG’s by 80% by the year 2050. This is a 2% reduction/year. In January 2009, the Berkeley City Council adopted its Climate Action Plan, which calls for establishing as our primary means of transportation in Berkeley, the modes of public transit, walking, and cycling. What will you do as a City Councilmember to reduce the City’s transportation-related GHG’s by at least 2% per year? (300 words or less). I support the downtown plan, which establishes a “green pathway” for green/LEED certified buildings. I’d also work to revamp the City’s solarization/financing project, which hasn’t proven popular since it was more expensive than the property owner just doing it him or herself. There are also a lot of exciting new car models coming out (Volt/Leaf, etc.) and I’d like to see Berkeley using these models for their fleets. I would also support a bulk purchase of AC Transit passes, to get people out of their cars and on the bus. Finally, I’d lead by example and continue to ride my Bianchi cruiser everywhere!

5. When making streets of Berkeley safe for bicycling, as called for in the City’s Bicycle Plan, there are often conflicts between the needs for more parking, sufficient traffic flow, AC Transit bus service, and safe bike access. This particularly happens on busy arterials, such as Telegraph Ave, Shattuck Ave and Gilman Street, where buses run and where there are many businesses that want sufficient parking for their customers. Yet, bicyclists need to patronize these businesses as well use the streets to get to and from work. These streets are often the most direct routes and the safest for cyclists to use at night, which is why they are included in the City’s Bicycle Plan. Knowing that in many cases, streets will likely have to be reconfigured, reducing the number of conventional car lanes and/or converting space for on-street parking to make room for bicycle right-of-way, what ideas do you have to make our busy arterial streets safe for bicycling? (300 words or less); I believe that we need more parking downtown and in the commercial areas to keep business viable – but that it doesn’t need to be street-parking. We can use the street parking spaces for bike lanes and build underground parking for cars. If there is too little parking in commercial areas, autos drive in circles looking for parking, creating greenhouse gases, and creating a hazard (or they stop shopping here altogether). So I’d get more bike access by reducing street/diagonal parking in favor of garages. I don’t think it’s too much of an inconvenience to ask motorists to park in a garage…. Or ride their bike!

6. A world-wide trend to enhance the quality of city life and support economic development has led countless cities to create car-free space on city streets, providing opportunities for people to bike, walk and play safely in their neighborhoods. They have proven to be extremely popular. Berkeley’s Downtown Area Plan calls for a pedestrian-only Center Street, and a plaza for City Hall has been proposed on Milvia St., which would greatly help implement that downtown bicycle boulevard. As Councilmember, will you commit to expanding pedestrian zones and to significantly increase funding for more car-free spaces in Berkeley? Yes/No Yes.

7. At the current rate of implementation, the Bicycle Plan will take another 20 or more years to implement. A current challenge is limited staff time to devote to bicycle plan implementation. Will you commit to increasing staff resources directed toward implementation of the Bicycle Plan? Yes/No. Yes

8. A major safety and circulation problem in the Southside area is created by so many one-way streets. These types of streets also make the Southside a less desirable place to live and work. In an effort to improve the livability and economic vitality of the Southside, do you support returning one-way streets back to two-way travel? Yes/No Yes.

9. For generations, state, regional and even Berkeley policies have prioritized traffic flow and space for private motor vehicles, to the detriment of walking, bicycling and transit. Around the world, many cities are reversing this priority and using the following heirarchy in transportation planning; pedestrians first, then bicyclists, transit vehicles, and lastly private motor vehicles. If elected, will you support this priority hierarchy in the City of Berkeley? Yes/No Yes.

10. Research has shown that 20 mph is the upper limit at which motorists can safely perceive and react to pedestrians and bicyclists. In fact, according to the Federal Highway Administration, a pedestrian is 8 times more likely to be killed in a collision with a car going 30 mph than with one going 20 mph. Many cities have established maximum speeds of 20 mph for this very reason. If elected, would you support taking measures to ensure maximum speeds on Berkeley’s streets of 20mph? Yes/No. Yes. On some streets.

11. Please respond to the following short questions:

• Do you support establishing a bike parking zoning ordinance for new residential development in Berkeley? Yes/No Yes
• Do you support establishing for Berkeley the goal of cutting bicycle crash rates in half over the next four years? Yes/No Yes
• Do you support increasing funding for the City’s bicycle fund? Yes/No Yes
• Do you support doubling the bicycle mode share in Berkeley in the next four years? Yes/No Yes
• Do you support establishing an effective pedestrian safety campaign in Berkeley? Yes/No Yes
• Do you support expanding the traffic calming program to limit thru traffic in residential neighborhoods? Yes/No Yes
• Alameda County has started work on Sustainable Communities Strategies as part of SB 375, which requires the state of California to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Do you support the goal of reducing the number of vehicle miles traveled in Berkeley? Yes/No; Yes.

12. Do you support Measure R, the non-binding ballot measure regarding the Downtown Berkeley Plan? Yes/No Yes.

13. What other ideas do you have to increase the number of people bicycling in Berkeley? (300 words or less); 1) For many years I was an employer in Berkeley and we offered all sorts of incentives for our employees to bike or take public transportation. One of the problems we faced was public safety. It wasn’t safe – especially during the winter – to walk to the BART station or fumble for your bike lock in the dark. If our streets are safer, more people will be riding bikes. 2) Improving bike parking in BART stations. BART needs to do much more to encourage bike parking within its stations. The racks are often filled.

Cecilia "Ces" Rosales

1. Do you use a bicycle for transportation? If so, for what purposes (commuting, recreation, errands) and how often? Please indicate how you most commonly commute to work. (300 words or less)

No, I do not use a bicycle for transportation. I drive a 2002 Toyota Camry for my transportation needs. I did not learn to ride a bicycle until I was an adult and I do not feel very safe on it that’s why I do not even try to use it. Where I grew up – in the Philippines – it is not considered “ladylike” for girls to ride bicycles, so it was never an option for me to think of learning to ride a bicycle. It is acceptable for boys to be on a bike – never for girls.
Nevertheless, my foyer is full of bicycles because my spouse bicycles to work, does errands on it and rides them for recreation. She is an avid rider and has a mountain bike, a commuter bike and a road bike. While I may not be a bike rider, I am an advocate for bicycles and I am concerned about the high level of theft in Berkeley. Now and again, there is a thief that comes through our yard and steals the bikes and bike parts from the bikes that are stored by my cohousing community, all of whom use them to run errands or commute to work. It makes me sad to see the kids bikes get stolen or dismantled. They too bicycle to get to their schools. I want to work to reduce bike theft. I want to work to make bicycling safe for everyone and to help promote bicycling to youth so that they can have the opportunities that I did not have.

2. Do you feel Berkeley is a bicycle-friendly city? Please explain (300 words or less)

Yes, but I think we can do better. We can keep up maintenance on our roads so that the surface is safe for riders and free of hazards. We should focus on rider safety and driver awareness rather than depend on citations and penalties. We should continue to install bicycle racks so that bicyclist can lock their bikes without having to walk blocks to do so.
3.The Bicycle Plan calls for removing stop signs on bike boulevards, improving the safety and convenience of boulevard crossings of busy arterials, and keeping motor vehicle traffic volumes at a minimum on the bicycle boulevards. If elected how will you help achieve these goals? Please explain (300 words or less)
I will do more than support the plan. I will keep the plans in the forefront of planning and policies. I will recruit to find commissioners who value bicycle transportation and I will seek advice from activists such as those in the Berkeley bicycle coalition. The downtown plan, and the streets and open space plan are both opportunities to advance bicycle transportation. I will support the City plans to make smooth and safe surfaces. I think keeping up on road maintenance and rehabilitation is essential to safe, enjoyable bicycle travel. What is an annoyance for an automobile driver can be unsafe and life threatening for a bicyclist.

4. AB 32, California’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act, was enacted in 2006 and calls for a reduction in Greenhouse Gases (GHG) to 1990 levels by the year 2020–a 25% reduction from 2005 levels. In the same year, Berkeley voters overwhelmingly approved Measure G as a call to reduce GHG’s by 80% by the year 2050. This is a 2% reduction/year. In January 2009, the Berkeley City Council adopted its Climate Action Plan, which calls for establishing as our primary means of transportation in Berkeley, the modes of public transit, walking, and cycling. What will you do as a City Councilmember to reduce the City’s transportation-related GHG’s by at least 2% per year? (300 words or less)

I would keep these goals in the forefront and make sure they are not buried and forgotten. I think the Downtown Plan and the Streets and Open Space Plan are ways to integrate these larger goals and incorporate them in all development or rehabilitation projects. I would support both tried and true methods and innovation. Berkeley voters have demonstrated their strong support for decreasing GHG;s. I will work to lead Berkeley to achieve those goals.

3. When making streets of Berkeley safe for bicycling, as called for in the City’s Bicycle Plan, there are often conflicts between the needs for more parking, sufficient traffic flow, AC Transit bus service, and safe bike access. This particularly happens on busy arterials, such as Telegraph Ave, Shattuck Ave and Gilman Street, where buses run and where there are many businesses that want sufficient parking for their customers. Yet, bicyclists need to patronize these businesses as well use the streets to get to and from work. These streets are often the most direct routes and the safest for cyclists to use at night, which is why they are included in the City’s Bicycle Plan. Knowing that in many cases, streets will likely have to be reconfigured, reducing the number of conventional car lanes and/or converting space for on-street parking to make room for bicycle right-of-way, what ideas do you have to make our busy arterial streets safe for bicycling? (300 words or less);

Streets that are nice for bicycling are often nice for other human friendly activities such as walking, waiting at the bus stop, or eating at a café. These are not just nice things, these are essential to our quality of life. We need parking to help support economic sustainability and to promote retail so that the cost of service does not rest solely on homeowners, and renters. I believe the Downtown Plan provides us with an opportunity to create efficient parking. I support the construction of public parking garages rather than on-street parking.

4. A world-wide trend to enhance the quality of city life and support economic development has led countless cities to create car-free space on city streets, providing opportunities for people to bike, walk and play safely in their neighborhoods. They have proven to be extremely popular. Berkeley’s Downtown Area Plan calls for a pedestrian-only Center Street, and a plaza for City Hall has been proposed on Milvia St., which would greatly help implement that downtown bicycle boulevard. As Councilmember, will you commit to expanding pedestrian zones and to significantly increase funding for more car-free spaces in Berkeley? Yes/No

Yes.

5. At the current rate of implementation, the Bicycle Plan will take another 20 or more years to implement. A current challenge is limited staff time to devote to bicycle plan implementation. Will you commit to increasing staff resources directed toward implementation of the Bicycle Plan? Yes/No

Yes.

6. A major safety and circulation problem in the Southside area is created by so many one-way streets. These types of streets also make the Southside a less desirable place to live and work. In an effort to improve the livability and economic vitality of the Southside, do you support returning one-way streets back to two-way travel? Yes/No

Yes.

7. For generations, state, regional and even Berkeley policies have prioritized traffic flow and space for private motor vehicles, to the detriment of walking, bicycling and transit. Around the world, many cities are reversing this priority and using the following hierarchy in transportation planning; pedestrians first, then bicyclists, transit vehicles, and lastly private motor vehicles. If elected, will you support this priority hierarchy in the City of Berkeley? Yes/No

Yes

8. Research has shown that 20 mph is the upper limit at which motorists can safely perceive and react to pedestrians and bicyclists. In fact, according to the Federal Highway Administration, a pedestrian is 8 times more likely to be killed in a collision with a car going 30 mph than with one going 20 mph. Many cities have established maximum speeds of 20 mph for this very reason. If elected, would you support taking measures to ensure maximum speeds on Berkeley’s streets of 20mph? Yes/No

Yes.

9. Please respond to the following short questions:
a. Do you support establishing a bike parking zoning ordinance for new residential development in Berkeley? Yes/No

Yes

b. Do you support establishing for Berkeley the goal of cutting bicycle crash rates in half over the next four years? Yes/No

Yes.

c. Do you support increasing funding for the City’s bicycle fund? Yes/No

Yes.

d. Do you support doubling the bicycle mode share in Berkeley in the next four years? Yes/No

Yes.

e. Do you support establishing an effective pedestrian safety campaign in Berkeley? Yes/No

Yes.

f. Do you support expanding the traffic calming program to limit thru traffic in residential neighborhoods?
Yes/No

Yes.

g. Alameda County has started work on Sustainable Communities Strategies as part of SB 375, which requires the state of California to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Do you support the goal of reducing the number of vehicle miles traveled in Berkeley? Yes/No;

Yes.

h. Do you support Measure R, the non-binding ballot measure regarding the Downtown Berkeley Plan? Yes/No

Yes.

12. What other ideas do you have to increase the number of people bicycling in Berkeley? (300 words or less);
I will promote linkages with other City and regional bike systems. The new Bay Bridge bike lane that will lead to Treasure Island provides a great opportunity to position Berkeley as both a starting point and a destination in a region wide bicycle network. I’d like to use on of the strongest icons for bicycle transportation in Berkeley, the I-80 overpass bicycle and pedestrian bridge, to promote Berkeley as a Bike Friendly, Green City. The new Aquatic Park touchdown plaza is under construction now and will link to an improved streetscape on Addison Street. These are all exciting developments that we can use to build momentum to improve bicycle transportation linkages throughout the entire city and in the East Bay.

I will look to innovative programs for ideas that might work in Berkeley. The UC Green Bike Share program on the UC campus is one such idea. I will reach out to my student supporters and constituents and seek their advice on how they like the program on their campus and use the successes to develop a share policy for the City of Berkeley.

Kriss Worthington

Stewart Jones

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Jacquelyn McCormick

1. Do you use a bicycle for transportation? If so, for what purposes (commuting, recreation, errands) and how often? Please indicate how you most commonly commute to work. (300 words or less)

I do not use a bicycle for transportation as I live right on the corner of The Uplands and Tunnel Road – a steep uphill climb on a very dangerous state highway and narrow winding two way road. Occasionally I ride my bike for recreation but I am not an avid cycler due to some physical restraints. My commute to work consists of walking down my stairs into my basement office!

2. Do you feel Berkeley is a bicycle-friendly city? Please explain (300 words or less) More work needs to be done to make it bicycle friendlier. We could use more Bicycle Boulevards and should have dedicated lanes on major arteries.

3. The Bicycle Plan calls for removing stop signs on bike boulevards, improving the safety and convenience of boulevard crossings of busy arterials, and keeping motor vehicle traffic volumes at a minimum on the bicycle boulevards. If elected how you will help achieve these goals? Please explain (300 words or less).

Our current Bicycle Plan needs to be part of a comprehensive traffic management plan that must be a priority for our city. See more detail to this answer in #4 below.

4. AB 32, California’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act, was enacted in 2006 and calls for a reduction in Greenhouse Gases (GHG) to 1990 levels by the year 2020–a 25% reduction from 2005 levels. In the same year, Berkeley voters overwhelmingly approved Measure G as a call to reduce GHG’s by 80% by the year 2050. This is a 2% reduction/year. In January 2009, the Berkeley City Council adopted its Climate Action Plan, which calls for establishing as our primary means of transportation in Berkeley, the modes of public transit, walking, and cycling. What will you do as a City Councilmember to reduce the City’s transportation-related GHG’s by at least 2% per year? (300 words or less).

We must provide transportation alternatives to the ones being currently offered: commuting is putting a strain on our city, increasing traffic, decreasing safety and profitability. Increased affordable means of mobility throughout the city will enhance the usability of our city; expand our job market by distributing the competition throughout. We need a city plan that will not only provide but encourage alternative and public transportation to our shopping districts and to and around the university to remove the current heavy reliance on automobile transportation and the need for more parking.

5. When making streets of Berkeley safe for bicycling, as called for in the City’s Bicycle Plan, there are often conflicts between the needs for more parking, sufficient traffic flow, AC Transit bus service, and safe bike access. This particularly happens on busy arterials, such as Telegraph Ave, Shattuck Ave and Gilman Street, where buses run and where there are many businesses that want sufficient parking for their customers. Yet, bicyclists need to patronize these businesses as well use the streets to get to and from work. These streets are often the most direct routes and the safest for cyclists to use at night, which is why they are included in the City’s Bicycle Plan. Knowing that in many cases, streets will likely have to be reconfigured, reducing the number of conventional car lanes and/or converting space for on-street parking to make room for bicycle right-of-way, what ideas do you have to make our busy arterial streets safe for bicycling? (300 words or less);

I believe we need to have dedicated bicycle lanes that would have protective barriers. It makes sense that there are “alternative” transportation lanes that would include public transportation. Berkeley houses some of the best minds in the world. There is no reason why we cannot tap into these resources and together come up with a safe and reasonable traffic/commuting plan that makes sense for all users. Let’s solve all these issues as a community.

6. A world-wide trend to enhance the quality of city life and support economic development has led countless cities to create car-free space on city streets, providing opportunities for people to bike, walk and play safely in their neighborhoods. They have proven to be extremely popular. Berkeley’s Downtown Area Plan calls for a pedestrian-only Center Street, and a plaza for City Hall has been proposed on Milvia St., which would greatly help implement that downtown bicycle boulevard. As Councilmember, will you commit to expanding pedestrian zones and to significantly increase funding for more car-free spaces in Berkeley? Yes/No

Yes

7. At the current rate of implementation, the Bicycle Plan will take another 20 or more years to implement. A current challenge is limited staff time to devote to bicycle plan implementation. Will you commit to increasing staff resources directed toward implementation of the Bicycle Plan? Yes/No

Yes

8. A major safety and circulation problem in the Southside area is created by so many one-way streets. These types of streets also make the Southside a less desirable place to live and work. In an effort to improve the livability and economic vitality of the Southside, do you support returning one-way streets back to two-way travel? Yes/No

Yes

9. For generations, state, regional and even Berkeley policies have prioritized traffic flow and space for private motor vehicles, to the detriment of walking, bicycling and transit. Around the world, many cities are reversing this priority and using the following heirarchy in transportation planning; pedestrians first, then bicyclists, transit vehicles, and lastly private motor vehicles. If elected, will you support this priority hierarchy in the City of Berkeley? Yes/No

Yes

10. Research has shown that 20 mph is the upper limit at which motorists can safely perceive and react to pedestrians and bicyclists. In fact, according to the Federal Highway Administration, a pedestrian is 8 times more likely to be killed in a collision with a car going 30 mph than with one going 20 mph. Many cities have established maximum speeds of 20 mph for this very reason. If elected, would you support taking measures to ensure maximum speeds on Berkeley’s streets of 20mph? Yes/No

Yes

11. Please respond to the following short questions:
a. Do you support establishing a bike parking zoning ordinance for new residential development in Berkeley? Yes/No

Yes

b. Do you support establishing for Berkeley the goal of cutting bicycle crash rates in half over the next four years? Yes/No

Yes

c. Do you support increasing funding for the City’s bicycle fund? Yes/No

Yes

d. Do you support doubling the bicycle mode share in Berkeley in the next four years? Yes/No

Yes

e. Do you support establishing an effective pedestrian safety campaign in Berkeley? Yes/No

Yes

f. Do you support expanding the traffic calming program to limit thru traffic in residential neighborhoods? Yes/No

Yes

g. Alameda County has started work on Sustainable Communities Strategies as part of SB 375, which requires the state of California to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Do you support the goal of reducing the number of vehicle miles traveled in Berkeley? Yes/No;

Yes

h. Do you support Measure R, the non-binding ballot measure regarding the Downtown Berkeley Plan? Yes/No

No

12. What other ideas do you have to increase the number of people bicycling in Berkeley? (300 words or less);

Safe and theft deterrent bicycle storage facilities, free valet bicycle storage in city center locations, bicycle only routes in the manufacturing districts and along university commuting routes.

Gordon Wozniak

1. Do you use a bicycle for transportation? If so, for what purposes (commuting, recreation, errands) and how often? Please indicate how you most commonly commute to work. (300 words or less)

I use my bike for recreational riding. I commute to work either by bus or by car, depending on how many meetings I have outside of my office and where they are located. I regularly work from home and communicate with my office and constituents via email and phone to avoid commuting to the Downtown.

2. Do you feel Berkeley is a bicycle-friendly city? Please explain (300 words or less)

a. I feel that Berkeley is somewhat bicycle-friendly, but has a long way to go to be truly bike friendly. For example, the existing bicycle boulevards are on secondary streets where a cyclist must come to a full stop at major intersections. I feel that a better solution would be to have dedicated bicycle lanes on major streets, where starting and stopping would be minimized. Finally, to be truly bicycle-friendly, Berkeley would need to install dedicated bicycle lanes that are physically separated from the vehicle lanes.

3. The Bicycle Plan calls for removing stop signs on bike boulevards, improving the safety and convenience of boulevard crossings of busy arterials, and keeping motor vehicle traffic volumes at a minimum on the bicycle boulevards. If elected how will you help acheive these goals? Please explain (300 words or less)

Yes, I support this program. Last spring I traveled in Australia and marveled at the absence of stop signs and stop lights. The Australians control traffic speed with roundabouts which allows a safer, but uniform speed, without the constant stopping and starting caused by stop signs.

4. AB 32, California’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act, was enacted in 2006 and calls for a reduction in Greenhouse Gases (GHG) to 1990 levels by the year 2020–a 25% reduction from 2005 levels. In the same year, Berkeley voters overwhelmingly approved Measure G as a call to reduce GHG’s by 80% by the year 2050. This is a 2% reduction/year. In January 2009, the Berkeley City Council adopted its Climate Action Plan, which calls for establishing as our primary means of transportation in Berkeley, the modes of public transit, walking, and cycling. What will you do as a City Councilmember to reduce the City’s transportation-related GHG’s by at least 2% per year? (300 words or less)

I strongly support Berkeley’s Climate Action plan, but believe that the lowest hanging fruit lies in improving the energy efficiency of our buildings. To that end I have helped fund energy audits for all of the twenty student Co-op buildings by providing matching funds from my office account. In addition, I helped the Co-ops secure federal ME2 funds to energy retrofit one of their residential buildings. Finally, I have helped institute comprehensive recycling in all of the Cal sororities and a dozen of the fraternities.

5. When making streets of Berkeley safe for bicycling, as called for in the City’s Bicycle Plan, there are often conflicts between the needs for more parking, sufficient traffic flow, AC Transit bus service, and safe bike access. This particularly happens on busy arterials, such as Telegraph Ave, Shattuck Ave and Gilman Street, where buses run and where there are many businesses that want sufficient parking for their customers. Yet, bicyclists need to patronize these businesses as well use the streets to get to and from work. These streets are often the most direct routes and the safest for cyclists to use at night, which is why they are included in the City’s Bicycle Plan. Knowing that in many cases, streets will likely have to be reconfigured, reducing the number of conventional car lanes and/or converting space for on-street parking to make room for bicycle right-of-way, what ideas do you have to make our busy arterial streets safe for bicycling? (300 words or less);

I believe that converting Marin Ave from 4 lanes, with no bike lanes, to three lanes plus two bike lanes was a great success. Vehicular traffic flow was maintained on the reconfigured street and bike lanes were added making the street safer for cyclists. The City should look for other opportunities like Marin Avenue.

6. A world-wide trend to enhance the quality of city life and support economic development has led countless cities to create car-free space on city streets, providing opportunities for people to bike, walk and play safely in their neighborhoods. They have proven to be extremely popular. Berkeley’s Downtown Area Plan calls for a pedestrian-only Center Street, and a plaza for City Hall has been proposed on Milvia St., which would greatly help implement that downtown bicycle boulevard. As Councilmember, will you commit to expanding pedestrian zones and to significantly increase funding for more car-free spaces in Berkeley?

Yes

7. At the current rate of implementation, the Bicycle Plan will take another 20 or more years to implement. A current challenge is limited staff time to devote to bicycle plan implementation. Will you commit to increasing staff resources directed toward implementation of the Bicycle Plan?

Yes, without the budget constraints. It will also take the City one hundred years to complete the undergrounding of all utilities. Both the undergrounding plan and the bike plan are important.

8. A major safety and circulation problem in the Southside area is created by so many one-way streets. These types of streets also make the Southside a less desirable place to live and work. In an effort to improve the livability and economic vitality of the Southside, do you support returning one-way streets back to two-way travel?

I support a case by case review of returning one-way streets back to two-way. Although in general I believe that two-way streets are safer, some one-way streets in business districts do not have sufficient amount of loading zones, which results in a lot of double-parking. Converting such a street to two-way could cause serious gridlock and lead to increases in traffic accidents.

9. For generations, state, regional and even Berkeley policies have prioritized traffic flow and space for private motor vehicles, to the detriment of walking, bicycling and transit. Around the world, many cities are reversing this priority and using the following heirarchy in transportation planning; pedestrians first, then bicyclists, transit vehicles, and lastly private motor vehicles. If elected, will you support this priority hierarchy in the City of Berkeley?

The real problem with transportation is having a solution to get from A to E in a reasonable amount of time in the most cost effective way for all residents. Unfortunately, our public transportation systems (BART & AC Transit) complete with each other and do not have an integrated system. Not all of our residents are capable of biking up steep grades and some can’t bike at all. AC Transit is reducing its already inadequate bus service in the hills. Until there is a comprehensive transportation solution, I feel that the best solution is to build more housing in the Downtown close to public transit. This is one of the reasons why I voted for Measure R and signed the ballot arguments in favor.

10. Research has shown that 20 mph is the upper limit at which motorists can safely perceive and react to pedestrians and bicyclists. In fact, according to the Federal Highway Administration, a pedestrian is 8 times more likely to be killed in a collision with a car going 30 mph than with one going 20 mph. Many cities have established maximum speeds of 20 mph for this very reason. If elected, would you support taking measures to ensure maximum speeds on Berkeley’s streets of 20mph?

Yes. I have looked into reducing the speed limit in residential areas. Unfortunately, cities are precluded by the State from reducing speed limit from 25 mph, except if a few very limited circumstances, such as adjacent to a school and during school hours.

11. Please respond to the following short questions:
a. Do you support establishing a bike parking zoning ordinance for new residential development in Berkeley? Yes
b. Do you support establishing for Berkeley the goal of cutting bicycle crash rates in half over the next four years? Yes
c. Do you support increasing funding for the City’s bicycle fund? Yes
d. Do you support doubling the bicycle mode share in Berkeley in the next four years? Yes
e. Do you support establishing an effective pedestrian safety campaign in Berkeley? Yes
f. Do you support expanding the traffic calming program to limit thru traffic in residential neighborhoods? Yes
g. Alameda County has started work on Sustainable Communities Strategies as part of SB 375, which requires the state of California to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Do you support the goal of reducing the number of vehicle miles traveled in Berkeley? Yes
h. Do you support Measure R, the non-binding ballot measure regarding the Downtown Berkeley Plan? Yes

12. What other ideas do you have to increase the number of people bicycling in Berkeley? (300 words or less);

Create more housing for recent college graduates in the Downtown and along major traffic corridors with good public transportation. Younger people use bicycles for transportation at a much higher rate than the general public.