Richmond Candidate Responses

Rhonda Harris

Courtland “Corky” Booze
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)
Taking into consideration that my business is auto repair and towing I must use my truck to pick up parts. Therefore, I’m unable to ride my bike to and from work. I ride on weekends and holidays with my grandchildren.

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

Yes, I do feel my city is bicycle-friendly. The City has installed bicycle lanes, finished the Richmond Greenway from Pt. Richmond to San Pablo Ave. We are currently working on a pedestrian bridge over 23rd St. to link both Greenway #1 & 2 together.

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)

4. As a City Councilperson, I would support AB 32. I will also look at alternative transportation such as ride sharing, electric cars and enhanced bicycle transportation. I will work on installing emission free buses for short runs around the City. The City should also use as many hybrid vehicles as possible.

5. 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);
I will see that the City continues installing new bike lanes. These lanes should also be illuminated for night travel and eliminate on-street parking that puts the bicyclist in direct conflict with traffic. If street parking is too narrow for vehicles, it should be eliminated. I will also work with the County Supervisors to extend our bike plan.

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 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 (please refer to question #4)

7. 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

8. 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, because it keeps the flow of traffic going in one direction which makes it safer for bicyclist, motorist and pedestrians.

9. 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

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 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
Yes

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

Do you support establishing a goal of cutting bicycle crash rates in half over the next four years? Yes/No
Yes
Do you support increasing local funding for bicycle projects? Yes/No

Yes

Do you support doubling the bicycle mode share in the City in the next four years? Yes/No
Yes.
I support bicycle lanes, bicycle routes, bicycle boulevards, and bicycle trails.

Do you support establishing an effective pedestrian safety campaign in the City? 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? Yes/No;
Yes

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/No (Yes)

12. What other ideas do you have to increase the number of people bicycling in town? (300 words or less);
Establish a bicycle rodeo
Introducing young and older people to the bicycle
Establish a bicycling licensing program
Introduce “family-ride day” on the Greenway
More “bike to work days”
Family bicycle repair training programs
Bicycling for health and exercise