Amy Worth
Dean Orr
Sue Severson
Scott Zeller
Tom McCormick
Amy Worth
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)
Amy Worth
Dean Orr
Sue Severson
Scott Zeller
Tom McCormick
Amy Worth
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 a bicycle for recreation. When I was a student at UC Berkeley I used a bicycle as my primary mode of transportation for four years. When I was in graduate school 35 years ago, I was involved in a serious bicycle accident so I now feel most comfortable doing recreational bike riding on designated bike paths such as the Iron Horse Trail. Over the years, I enjoyed recreational bicycle riding with my children here and on vacations. One of my daughters currently is living in France teaching English and this past summer she led recreational bike trips around France. Most commonly, I use my car and BART to attend meetings and commute to work.
2. Do you feel your city is a bicycle-friendly city? Please explain (300 words or less)
Orinda is a wonderful place to ride bicycles, although our narrow, windy roads, lacking shoulders and hilly terrain make bike riding and safety a continuing challenge that we are working to overcome. Several of our arterials are major bicycle routes, such as Moraga Way, Camino Pablo and the St. Stephen’s Bicycle Trail. In addition, we have a specially signed “Lamorinda” bicycle route that does a loop through Orinda, Lafayette and Moraga. The recent rehabilitation of Moraga Way has substantially improved the safety of this major bicycle corridor. We are currently in the process of completing our Bike and Pedestrian Pathways plan for the City. This plan focuses on bike and pedestrian pathway opportunities around our five schools, the downtown (especially access to BART) and local and regional bike and walking recreation. Through our public works program and our Traffic Safety Advisory Committee we are continuing to identify ways to make walking, biking and driving transportation safer. In addition, the Montanera development in Gateway Valley will be liked to Orinda through a series of bike and pedestrian only access points and trails, leading to the East Bay Regional Park district bicycle and pedestrian trails.
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 addition, the Air Resources Board currently is selecting GHG reduction targets for the Bay Area. What will you do as a City Councilmember to reduce the City’s transportation-related GHG’s? (300 words or less)
By making pedestrian and bicycle access to schools, within neighborhoods and to the downtown, we hope to increase the number of residents who can ride or walk to these destinations. In addition, improvements to our downtown, such as clustering shopping, parks, the library, restaurants and service business in a pedestrian friendly and safe manner, we have enabled residents to park once and walk to these destinations. Following the construction of our new library, we were able to make pedestrian safety improvements to our downtown street which provided for wider sidewalks and safer pedestrian crossing points. Recent renovations to Moraga Way on the South side of town will encourage pedestrian access in the Crossroads part of town by providing pedestrian crossing bulb-outs and save haven raised cross walks. Traffic safety enforcement is also an important way we can encourage bicycle and pedestrian transportation.
4. When making streets safe for bicycling, as called for in the Bicycle Plan, there are often conflicts between the needs for more parking, sufficient traffic flow, bus service, and safe bike access. This particularly happens on busy arterials 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 to accommodate bicyclists, 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)
Given Orinda’s hilly terrain and narrow, winding streets, providing additional space for bicycle and pedestrian transportation is a significant challenge on some roads. However, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan identifies areas where, if we can locate the financial resources to make the improvements, we could provide improved access for bikes and pedestrians. We have several arterials which have been striped with bike lines to accommodate bicycle travel. Since most of our streets are narrow, two lane roads, the opportunity to change lane configurations is very limited. Through our Traffic Safety Committee, school access committees and park and recreation efforts, we are continually looking at ways to improve bicycle and pedestrian access in Orinda. Over the last few years, we have applied for funds to improve pedestrian and bike access to our BART station.
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 around the East Bay. As Councilmember, will you commit to expanding pedestrian zones and to significantly increase funding for more car-free spaces in town?
Yes
6. At the current rate of implementation, the Bicycle Plan will take many years to implement. A current challenge is limited staff time to devote to bicycle plan implementation. Will you commit to increasing staffing and resources directed toward implementation of the Bicycle Plan?
Yes
7. A major safety and circulation problem is created by one-way streets, which are generally designed to move more traffic and have a negative effect of making the street a less desirable place to live and work. In an effort to improve the livability and economic vitality our City, do you support returning one-way streets back to two-way travel?
n/a Orinda does not have any one-way streets.
8. For generations, state, regional and even local 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?
The priority varies with the size and purpose of the street.
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 a car 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 city streets of 20mph?
No
10. Please respond to the following short questions:
Do you support establishing a bike parking zoning ordinance for new residential and commercial development? Yes commercial
Do you support establishing a goal of cutting bicycle crash rates in half over the next four years? Yes
Do you support increasing local funding for bicycle projects? Yes
Do you support doubling the bicycle mode share in the City in the next four years? Yes
Do you support establishing an effective pedestrian safety campaign in the City? Yes
Do you support expanding the traffic calming program to limit thru traffic in residential neighborhoods? 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? Yes
11. What other ideas do you have to increase the number of people bicycling in town? (300 words or less)
As I mentioned earlier in this survey, I used to ride a bicycle for my primary transportation, but was in a serious bicycle accident which had an impact on my desire to ride on busy city streets. In order to increase bicycle use, both in utilitarian and recreation uses, we need to provide safer street and roads for their use, identify prime opportunities near schools, transit and downtown. In addition, we need to invest in education and awareness programs who will give riders confidence to navigate streets. Regionally, we need to develop these programs so that local communities can implement them with little cost and great appeal to their residents. For example, recreational programs to promote family bicycle riding, regular walk or ride to school days and seasonal bike to work/transit days are really important and need to be expanded. Transit centers such as BART need to have sufficient bike storage facilities and safe, convenient bicycle and pedestrian access from community streets and roads to the stations.
Sue Severson
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 personally for transportation but do encourage others to do so. I prefer to walk when possible.
2. Do you feel your city is a bicycle-friendly city? Please explain (300 words or less)
Orinda is striving to be a more bicycle-friendly place to live. We have just completed a Bicycle, Trail and Pedestrian Master Plan with help of consultants Alta Group that will be adopted shortly.
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 addition, the Air Resources Board currently is selecting GHG reduction targets for the Bay Area. What will you do as a City Councilmember to reduce the City’s transportation-related GHG’s? (300 words or less)
Orinda City has appointed a subcommittee of the Planning Commission to study and make recommendations to the City Council for reducing our carbon footprint and encouraging more green building practices. A Planning Department summer intern focused on analyzing current city status and identifying areas for improvements. The Orinda City Hall is the first city hall in all California (and still perhaps the only one) to be Gold Leed certified.
4. When making streets safe for bicycling, as called for in the Bicycle Plan, there are often conflicts between the needs for more parking, sufficient traffic flow, bus service, and safe bike access. This particularly happens on busy arterials 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 to accommodate bicyclists, 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)
Orinda is currently contracting with Kimley-Horn and Associates for engineering design services to make significant improvements including better bicycle paths and signage on Camino Pablo with Santa Maria Way and Brookwood Road intersections. This is a main artery through Orinda that crosses under the BART station.
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 around the East Bay. As Councilmember, will you commit to expanding pedestrian zones and to significantly increase funding for more car-free spaces in town?
Yes
6. At the current rate of implementation, the Bicycle Plan will take many years to implement. A current challenge is limited staff time to devote to bicycle plan implementation. Will you commit to increasing staffing and resources directed toward implementation of the Bicycle Plan?
No
7. A major safety and circulation problem is created by one-way streets, which are generally designed to move more traffic and have a negative effect of making the street a less desirable place to live and work. In an effort to improve the livability and economic vitality our City, do you support returning one-way streets back to two-way travel?
Yes
8. For generations, state, regional and even local 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?
No
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 a car 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 city streets of 20mph?
No
10. Please respond to the following short questions:
Do you support establishing a bike parking zoning ordinance for new residential and commercial development? Yes
Do you support establishing a goal of cutting bicycle crash rates in half over the next four years? Yes
Do you support increasing local funding for bicycle projects? YesNo
Do you support establishing an effective pedestrian safety campaign in the City? Yes
Do you support expanding the traffic calming program to limit thru traffic in residential neighborhoods? 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? No
Would you be willing to spend a few hours one weekend “in the saddle” touring the city’s most challenging bicycle routes with a local bicycling advocate? No
11. What other ideas do you have to increase the number of people bicycling in town? (300 words or less)
For the first time this spring, Orinda hosted a relief station for the Bike to Work Day May 2010. Community members and City employees were encouraged to bike to work. Several staff members embraced the idea and rode bikes significant distances to work that day. Other staff members including two city council members assisted at the relief station. For the last several years, at my initiation through the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, the City and schools have partners to promote twice a year (mid October and early May) a “Bike, Walk or Bus to School and Work Day.” This has been very successful increasing in participation every year. One elementary school just implemented a successful “Green School Program” encouraging students to walk or ride bikes to school every Friday. The Orinda Community Foundation in partnership with the City hosted its second annual NorCal Kids Triathlon – Tri 4 Health. Biking is the element of the race local kids are least familiar. It is gratifying to hear so many youth commit to ride their bikes more so they become more proficient.
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)
My office is in my home, so I do not have a commute. I use my bicycles for recreation and errands.
2. Do you feel your city is a bicycle-friendly city? Please explain (300 words or less)
Yes. We have bicycle paths and promote bicycle days. I have asked our City Manager to improved paths with more signs and better markings.
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 addition, the Air Resources Board currently is selecting GHG reduction targets for the Bay Area. What will you do as a City Councilmember to reduce the City’s transportation-related GHG’s? (300 words or less)
We promote bike to work and school programs; support workers that bike to work and schools; created a safe paths to schools for bicycles and pedestrians; and a new master plan for safer paths and trails. I will continue to support these and other programs.
4. When making streets safe for bicycling, as called for in the Bicycle Plan, there are often conflicts between the needs for more parking, sufficient traffic flow, bus service, and safe bike access. This particularly happens on busy arterials 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 to accommodate bicyclists, 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).
Our problem in Orinda is that streets are too narrow, as they were configured many years ago. So, most streets are two lane and many are one lane. Further, we have the worst roads in the county because we have little money to repair them. Even so, each time we repair a road, I make sure there is a bike path with markings and signs. We are also looking a plan to revitalize downtown Orinda, which plan calls for more public transit, bike and pedestrian paths, and flex cars and bikes available to the public.
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 around the East Bay. As Councilmember, will you commit to expanding pedestrian zones and to significantly increase funding for more car-free spaces in town? Yes/No
Yes.
6. At the current rate of implementation, the Bicycle Plan will take many years to implement. A current challenge is limited staff time to devote to bicycle plan implementation. Will you commit to increasing staffing and resources directed toward implementation of the Bicycle Plan? Yes/No
Yes. (We are currently cutting staff in all positions to balance the budget, as soon as money is available, then yes.)
7. A major safety and circulation problem is created by one-way streets, which are generally designed to move more traffic and have a negative effect of making the street a less desirable place to live and work. In an effort to improve the livability and economic vitality our City, do you support returning one-way streets back to two-way travel? Yes/No
No. (We have no one-way streets in Orinda.)
8. For generations, state, regional and even local 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? Yes/No
Yes.
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 a car 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 city streets of 20mph? Yes/No
No.
10. Please respond to the following short questions:
a. Do you support establishing a bike parking zoning ordinance for new residential and commercial development? Yes.
b. Do you support establishing a goal of cutting bicycle crash rates in half over the next four years? Yes.
c. Do you support increasing local funding for bicycle projects? Yes.
d. Do you support doubling the bicycle mode share in the City in the next four years? No.
e. Do you support establishing an effective pedestrian safety campaign in the City? 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? Yes.
h. Would you be willing to spend a few hours one weekend “in the saddle” touring the city’s most challenging bicycle routes with a local bicycling advocate? Yes.
12. What other ideas do you have to increase the number of people bicycling in town? (300 words or less);
We need more signs and better markings on roads. We need federal and state funding for bike paths. We could use an annual bike-a-thon or similar type event to bring greater attention to bike safety and uses.
