Bike The Vote L.A. Endorsement: Laura Friedman for CA Assembly District 43

Posted on by bikethevote

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Candidate campaign page: http://votelaurafriedman.com/

Laura Friedman is a spectacular advocate for environmental issues in Southern California and a champion for making Los Angeles County safer for biking. As a Glendale City Council Member, Friedman installed a bike rack in her city-provided parking space, and was a highly visible fixture in the Los Angeles region as a bike-commuting elected official. The Los Angeles cycling community is likely familiar with Friedman from her work in coordination with Walk/Bike Glendale and her participation in various Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition events. Silver Lake, Los Feliz, and Atwater Village residents likely remember her bold support for a safe Hyperion Bridge. In her response to CalBike’s questionnaire, Friedman expressed support to increase funding for active transportation, to prioritize first mile/last mile bicycle infrastructure, and to build equity into bike share systems across California. While outgoing Assembly Member Mike Gatto has been an effective advocate working to curb hit & run crimes, we can think of no greater leader than Friedman to represent Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, East Hollywood, Burbank, and Glendale in making the Los Angeles region more bike-friendly. Knowing that she will make an exceptional leader on active transportation issues, we are delighted to endorse Laura Friedman for California State Assembly.

(See below for Laura Friedman’s full CalBike questionnaire response)

1. Do you ride a bicycle in your district and/or in Sacramento?

Yes

2. If yes, for what purpose(s) and how often? How do you most commonly commute to work?

I had a bike rack installed in my parking space at the Glendale City Hall and bike to Council and other meetings whenever possible.

3. If no, what would inspire you, and the 60% of people who are interested in riding, but concerned about safety to ride a bike for transportation?

I would bicycle more if I knew of safer routes to get to my destination. Also I live up a steep hill so getting home can be a challenge for me.

4. Would you commit to joining a group ride with local advocates along a route that illustrates the bicycle infrastructure conditions of the district you are running for?

I have done quite a bit of work already with Walk/Bike Glendale and the LA Bicycle Coalition.

5. Caltrans has established a goal to triple the number of bike trips by 2020. Do you support this goal?

Yes

6. Research has shown that the most effective way to boost the number of people bicycling is to create interconnected “complete bikeway networks” of physically protected bike lanes and traffic-calmed streets. The California Bicycle Coalition is seeking to create a new state program to provide large grants of $25-$50 million to build such networks in the communities which need it most. It will incentivize holistic planning of networks rather than piecemeal planning of one street at a time. Do you support using state funds for a competitive complete bikeway network grant program?

Yes

7. Do you support our complete streets provisions in SBX 1-1 of the special session to mandate the inclusion of “new bicycle and pedestrian safety, access, and mobility improvements” in every non-freeway road project funded by the state? It calls for sidewalks and protected bike lanes or bike paths in transit-dense areas on most roads with a speed limit over 25 miles per hour.

Yes

8. The Active Transportation Program (ATP), the sole state funding source for biking, walking, and safe routes to school improvements, was created by the Brown administration in 2013 with the stated intention to increase it continually. However, the Governor’s latest budget proposes no increase for the third straight year. Current funding levels on a per capita basis place California in the middle of the pack among states who provide dedicated active transportation funding. To reflect Caltrans’ goal to triple biking and double walking trips by 2020, do you support doubling the ATP?

Yes

9. Bike sharing programs are spreading throughout California, but they often do not reach low-income neighborhoods. Do you support providing state funds to allow these programs to serve all Californians who could reasonably benefit, in the same way that public transit serves the public?

Yes

10. About 3,000 people are killed on California streets every year. Do you support a “Vision Zero” goal of zero traffic fatalities by a certain date?

Yes

11. The California Air Resources Board estimates that 38% of California’s 447 million metric tons of carbon emitted every year comes from the transportation sector, which along with other emissions, results in thousands of deaths and millions of dollars in wasted health care spending. What do you feel are the three most important actions the state should take to reduce carbon emissions from transportation?

A. The 50% petroleum reduction goal originally contained in SB350 should be enacted.

B. Local alternative and public transportation projects such as those funded by measures R in Los Angeles need to be priorities, as do solutions to “first and last mile” challenges which keep people from utilizing public transportation.

C. Land use policies in California need to encourage the creation of density near job-centers and transit. Development should be done in a way to encourage well designed cities which prioritize public transportation, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and which provide public gathering spaces, schools, art and cultural amenities along with shopping and retail in compact, walkable city-centers. The State could help local governments update their general plans to allow for this kind of smart growth.

12. Should cap-and-trade funds be used for highway congestion relief projects that expand road capacity?

No

13. If you could send out one tweet to the bike community that you think would win over their support, what would it say?

While on the Glendale City Council, I gave up my car for over two years to show that it was possible even for middle-aged to get around by bicycle, foot and bus. We have the power to create a healthier, safer, sustainable California!

14. Do you have any other comments or questions about how you have supported or would support the California Bicycle Coalition’s mission of enabling more people to bicycle for healthier, safer, and more prosperous communities for all?

I have led the effort to bring bicycle infrastructure to Glendale, and was honored by the LA Bicycle Coalition for my work. I supported embedding an LA Bicycle Coalition staffer in the Glendale City Planning Department for two years to work with the City’s Mobility Planner to create a comprehensive bicycle master plan for Glendale. We are now implementing that plan.

I led teams of Glendale City staff and residents to Long Beach and Berkeley to learn about those city’s bicycle infrastructure. I have required new developments to incorporate bicycle parking and storage into their projects. Glendale is a conservative city that is not always bicycle-friendly. Despite this, I have loudly advocated for cycling and I have consistently pushed the envelope of what we can accomplish in Glendale with regards to bicycle infrastructure. You will get the same level of commitment from me in Sacramento. And I’ll ride my bike to work in the Capital as well!

Bike The Vote L.A. Endorsement: Richard Bloom for CA Assembly District 50

Posted on by bikethevote

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Candidate campaign page: http://www.richardbloom.com/

In 2015, incumbent Assembly Member Richard Bloom was honored with the first ever Streetsblog California Legislator of the Year “Streetsie” Award. As chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Resources and Transportation, Bloom has been and continues to be an important leader at the state level for safer streets. Last year he co-authored AB 902, a new program that provides bicycling education as a diversion for traffic tickets for bicyclists. Bloom is championing a number of proposals to improve active transportation, including bills that would build environmental justice into transportation decision making, and which would provide permanent funding for the State’s Active Transportation Program. Bloom has done an excellent job promoting sustainability for Santa Monica, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Miracle Mile, and Malibu, and we are honored to endorse him for a third term in the California State Assembly.

(See below for Richard Bloom’s full Bike The Vote L.A. questionnaire response)

1. What is your opinion on the state of transportation options in your district? How would you improve street safety and transportation quality for your constituents who depend on walking, biking, or public transit?

Options are improving in AD 50, but are lacking in many other places in LA County. More public transit options, rapid expansion of an interoperable bikeshare system, deployment of bike priority signalization, expansion of safe routes to schools programs and adaptation of street infrastructure to better accommodate bikes and pedestrians is essential.  

2. The California Air Resources Board estimates that transportation accounts for 37% of California’s 447 million metric tons of carbon emitted yearly. What actions would your office take to ensure that California creates a more sustainable transportation system?

I’ll continue to champion these issues with bills and budget proposals like the following:

AB 1002 – 2013 – Sustainable Communities fee. Would have created a $6 sustainable communities fee applied at the time of your car registration.  All funds would go to promoting communities, planning and infrastructure that promoted pedestrian, alternative transportation and bicycle friendly communities and developments.  – the bill was held in Assembly Approps.

AB 1314 – 2013 – Safe CNG Tank Protocols. would have created a statewide safety standard and inspection protocol for CNG fueled vehicles – was held in Asm. Transportation.

AB 1720 – 2014 – Clean Air bus exemptions. exempted clean air busses that were current in production from state gross axle weights as do to all the state and federal regulations would have made them illegal.  The exemption was for one year, but was needed another for negotiations to finish with all the parties. – Signed by the Gov.

AB 902 – 2015 – Bicycle Violations Diversion programs. Requires cities and counties to come up for a first time offender bicycle traffic violation diversion program. The goal of the bill is to help education bicyclist on the rules of the road and bicycle safety.  – Signed by the Gov.

AB 1098 – 2015 – Transportation Congestion Management.  The bill would have created alternatives to Level of service standards as elements of congestion management with more pedestrian, bicycle and public transit friendly elements to promote healthier and cleaner practices.  – Held in Asm. Transportation (but may come back in 2017!)

AB 1250 – 2015 – Gross Axle Weights for busses.  This bill codifies an agreement with Caltrans, the federal department of transportations and local MTA’s on new standards for bus weights.  Due to the increasing clean air and safety requirements busses have gotten to heavy and are damaging streets and roads.  This bill in addition to codifying certain agreements also lays out a plan to eventually decrease the weights of the busses and provide some funds to cities for street and road maintenance.  – Signed by the Gov.

AB 1964 – 2016 – Green HOV sticker extension – The bill would provide identifiers (Green stickers) issued for partial or transitional zero-emission vehicles on or after January 1, 2018, but before January 1, 2019, would be valid until January 1, 2021. The bill would provide that green stickers issued for those vehicles on or after January 1, 2019, would be valid until January 1 of the 3rd year after the year of issuance. AB 1964 will remove the limit of 85,000 green stickers for those vehicles, and would instead prohibit the Department of Motor Vehicles from issuing identifiers if the sale of new vehicles of that category reaches at least 8.6% of the total new car market share for 2 consecutive years, upon notification by the State Air Resources Board. – Still moving currently in Asm. Approps.

AB 1928 – California Transportation Commission Environmental Justice seats.  This bill would require the CTC to create two new seats on the commission that would represent environmental justice community.  Advocates feel that the CTC has done little for low income communities and have frequently ignored the needs of these communities in their mission. Bill is currently in Asm. Transportation.

AB 2796 – Active Transportation Program Funding.  This bill will create permanent funding for ATP programs for the purpose of funding that benefit low income communities, children, and road safety. ATP programs promote pedestrian, bicycle and public transit programs.  – Bill is currently in Asm. Transportation.

Co-author to SB 32 and fought to keep SB 350 intact.

Advocate for in budget process and Cap and trade funds:

Active Transportation Programs

Transit oriented affordable housing projects

Access to Public Transportation (funding of bus passes for local income students through Cap and Trade)

Clean air standards

Infrastructure – with a focus on how do we get people out of their cars

Safe Routes to schools

Local programs support:

Bike Share

The Expo Line and Expansion of the Purple Line

Funding of MTA projects for light rail and busses

Funding of Big Blue Projects

Opposed the recent ousting of the SCAQMD ED.

3. The Active Transportation Program (ATP) serves as the State’s sole dedicated funding source to provide and improve infrastructure for walking, biking, and Safe Routes to School programs. Though Caltrans’ 2015 Strategic Management Plan goal to triple bicycle trips by 2020, the fact remains that current funding levels have not been increased since the ATP was created. Do you support doubling ATP funding?

Yes.

4. Cap & trade funds offer a unique opportunity to prioritize sustainable transportation, particularly in low-income neighborhoods negatively affected by pollution, but are sometimes considered for use in highway expansion projects. Do you support use of cap and trade funds to expand vehicular roadway capacity? How should California use cap and trade funds to minimize transportation-based pollution in low-income neighborhoods, especially those in your district?

Yes. See above.

5. Hit and runs continue to be an immense problem in the Los Angeles region, with over 28,000 hit and run crimes reported in Los Angeles County in 2015 alone. Current California law actually incentivizes hit and run crimes due to the fact that penalties for fleeing the scene of a collision are less than that of a driving under the influence (DUI). Do you support bringing penalties for hit and run crimes in line with penalties for DUIs, and how would you address hit and run crimes more broadly?

Yes.

6. Bike Share systems are being implemented throughout California cities, but use fees and credit requirements often restrict lowincome residents and communities from using them. Do you support providing state funds to remove barriers for bike share as a transit option for low-income users?

Yes.

Bike The Vote L.A. Endorsement: Al Muratsuchi for CA Assembly District 66

Posted on by bikethevote

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Candidate campaign page: http://www.alforassembly.com/

Residents of the South Bay are seeing a tight match in the June Primary between incumbent Assembly Member David Hadley and former Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi to represent Assembly District 66. Of the candidates, only Muratsuchi responded to CalBike’s survey to outline his platform on active transportation. Muratsuchi’s response was very encouraging, with a focus on reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) to provide a more sustainable transportation system, and a commitment to fund active transportation programs to make cycling and walking more viable options for Angelenos. Muratsuchi also made it clear in his responses to CalBike that he recognizes that Southern California cannot solve its transportation challenges through freeway expansion, and notes his commitment to fund public transit as a component of a providing better transportation options. The South Bay deserves a candidate who will stand up for providing safe and efficient mobility options, and we are proud to endorse Al Muratuchi to help bring that positive change at the state level.

 

(See below for Al Muratsuchi’s full CalBike questionnaire response)

1. Do you ride a bicycle in your district and/or in Sacramento?

I did ride my bicycle before it got stolen in 2014. I look forward to taking back my bicycle and my assembly seat this year!

2. If yes, for what purpose(s) and how often? How do you most commonly commute to work?

Growing up bicycle riding was often my only mode of transportation. More recently I have ridden my bike as a family activity and for enjoyment.

3. If no, what would inspire you, and the 60% of people who are interested in riding, but concerned about safety to ride a bike for transportation?

Even though I answered that I do ride bicycles, I know that where I choose to ride or not ride today has to do primarily with traffic safety concerns. My favorite place to ride these days is along the beach bike path in the South Bay because it is completely isolated from car traffic. More opportunities need to be developed that give our community more options to choose bicycling for pleasure and transportation.

4. Would you commit to joining a group ride with local advocates along a route that illustrates the bicycle infrastructure conditions of the district you are running for?

Yes

5. Caltrans has established a goal to triple the number of bike trips by 2020. Do you support this goal?

Yes

6. Research has shown that the most effective way to boost the number of people bicycling is to create interconnected “complete bikeway networks” of physically protected bike lanes and traffic-calmed streets. The California Bicycle Coalition is seeking to create a new state program to provide large grants of $25-$50 million to build such networks in the communities which need it most. It will incentivize holistic planning of networks rather than piecemeal planning of one street at a time. Do you support using state funds for a competitive complete bikeway network grant program?

Yes

7. Do you support our complete streets provisions in SBX 1-1 of the special session to mandate the inclusion of “new bicycle and pedestrian safety, access, and mobility improvements” in every non-freeway road project funded by the state? It calls for sidewalks and protected bike lanes or bike paths in transit-dense areas on most roads with a speed limit over 25 miles per hour.

Yes

8. The Active Transportation Program (ATP), the sole state funding source for biking, walking, and safe routes to school improvements, was created by the Brown administration in 2013 with the stated intention to increase it continually. However, the Governor’s latest budget proposes no increase for the third straight year. Current funding levels on a per capita basis place California in the middle of the pack among states who provide dedicated active transportation funding. To reflect Caltrans’ goal to triple biking and double walking trips by 2020, do you support doubling the ATP?

Yes

9. Bike sharing programs are spreading throughout California, but they often do not reach low-income neighborhoods. Do you support providing state funds to allow these programs to serve all Californians who could reasonably benefit, in the same way that public transit serves the public?

Yes

10. About 3,000 people are killed on California streets every year. Do you support a “Vision Zero” goal of zero traffic fatalities by a certain date?

Yes

11. The California Air Resources Board estimates that 38% of California’s 447 million metric tons of carbon emitted every year comes from the transportation sector, which along with other emissions, results in thousands of deaths and millions of dollars in wasted health care spending. What do you feel are the three most important actions the state should take to reduce carbon emissions from transportation?

A. . Incentivize the use of non-fossil fuel vehicles.

B. Invest in public transportation infrastructure including bicycle support facilities.

C. Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled through complete street programs and other smart redevelopment planning while encouraging a shift of state and local road subsidies to cost-of-driving (VMT fees).

12. Should cap-and-trade funds be used for highway congestion relief projects that expand road capacity?

No

13. If you could send out one tweet to the bike community that you think would win over their support, what would it say?

Vote by bike on June 7th and together our critical mass of action will build more bicycles paths to keep us rolling forward. #bikethevoteCA

14. Do you have any other comments or questions about how you have supported or would support the California Bicycle Coalition’s mission of enabling more people to bicycle for healthier, safer, and more prosperous communities for all?

I supported Measure R and I will support Measure R2. My opponent, the current incumbent, opposes these public transportation funding measures.

Bike The Vote L.A. Endorsement: Meghan Sahli-Wells for Culver City Council

Posted on by bikethevote

Candidate campaign page: http://vote4meghan.com/

The diverse and vibrant community of Culver City sits at a turning point. With new light rail access to Downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica, walkable residential and commercial districts, and a location near L.A.’s traffic-choked Westside, the City is well-positioned  to forge a healthy and sustainable path on mobility. Unfortunately, according to the most recent rankings from the Governor’s Office of Traffic Safety, Culver City currently ranks 11th worst of 92 peer cities statewide for pedestrian injuries and 17th worst for bike-related injuries. Some important decisions lie ahead that will affect safety and quality of life for residents, workers, and visitors: whether to adopt Vision Zero, how to bring a bike share system to the city, and whether to provide protected bike connections between the Expo Line and the City’s thriving Downtown (to name just a few). With three of five seats on the Culver City Council up for grabs, the April 12, 2016 election will determine the approach the City takes on all of these issues.

Several weeks ago, Bike The Vote L.A. sent questionnaires to all seven candidates for City Council to ask them where they stand on the issues and how they would tackle the challenges surrounding sustainable transportation in Culver City. Several candidates impressed us with their responses. Scott Wyant reminded us of his role in getting key bicycle connections included in an Expo-adjacent development project during his time on the Planning Commission. Daniel Lee emphasized the need for the City’s transportation system to provide low-cost alternatives to driving. And Thomas Small voiced strong support for protected bike lanes, even if it means making tough choices to reallocate street space currently devoted to cars. Livable streets-minded voters are fortunate to have such a great slate of candidates from which to choose this year.

As we reviewed the responses, however, it was clear that there was one candidate whose record, policy positions, and commitment to the cause of safe and sustainable streets made her worthy of special recognition: Meghan Sahli-Wells.

The only incumbent Councilmember in the race as well as the City’s immediate past Mayor, Sahli-Wells is familiar to livable streets advocates as a co-founder of the Culver City Bicycle Coalition and out on the road as a daily bike commuter. On the Council, she’s been a strong ally for residents who care about healthy, sustainable mobility. She worked to bring CicLAvia to the City in 2013 and 2015; voted against the removal of crosswalks on Jefferson Blvd; worked to implement Safe Routes to School improvements to reduce speeding and enhance safety near Culver City schools; and supported implementation of the City’s Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan, which she helped to craft prior to her election to the Council. She’s taken on leadership roles that touch transportation issues beyond the City’s borders, serving on the Expo Line Construction Authority Board and on the Energy and Environment Committee of the Southern California Association of Governments.

In her response to our questionnaire, Sahli-Wells put forward a compelling vision of Culver City’s transportation future, from modest improvements like signage and bicycle loop detectors, to more ambitious undertakings like protected bike lanes and a Vision Zero initiative to work toward the elimination of all traffic deaths. She reminded us of her role in advancing the City’s participation in the coming Westside bike share system, which is now in the feasibility planning stage. Perhaps most importantly, she showed a commitment to prioritizing the safety of vulnerable street users in her willingness to dedicate street space to install protected bike lanes and in her focus on lowering vehicle speeds on neighborhood streets.

For these reasons, Sahli-Wells is best positioned to provide leadership in implementing Complete Streets in Culver City. We hope that, once Culver City residents have cast their votes on April 12, she will be returned to the City Council and joined by two other livable streets-minded colleagues who will stand with her when the time comes to make difficult decisions. We wholeheartedly endorse Meghan Sahli-Wells as an exceptional leader who will continue to make Culver City a more livable and vibrant community.

Bike The Vote L.A. Voter Guide – Culver City 2016

Posted on by bikethevote

Bike The Vote L.A. sent out a 6-point questionnaire to all 7 candidates running for Culver City Council. We asked candidates to be succinct in their responses, in hopes that they might better outline for voters what their positions were on making streets safer and more livable for all who use Culver City streets.

With 3 seats open on Culver City’s 5-seat City Council, this election will determine whether the City continues to build on work to calm traffic on residential streets and in proximity to schools, and whether the City will provide needed bicycle connections between new transit options and business districts.

A group of our members has reviewed the responses and graded candidates for their positions on livable streets. See below summaries of what each candidate has to offer to continue to make Culver City a more vibrant community, and click through below to see full candidate responses.

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Culver City’s election is on Tuesday, April 12th. Polling stations are open on 4/12 from 7am to 8pm. Check here for polling locations and voter information: http://www.culvercity.org/city-hall/election-information

Meghan Sahli-Wells

Incumbent Culver City Council Member and former Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells has a superb record of leadership in making Culver City streets safer for everyone. From her early work in co-founding the Culver City Bicycle Coalition, to developing a Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan for the City, to bringing CicLAvia to Culver City, and her depth of experience as a bike commuter; there is nobody who has worked harder to make Culver City a better place for people who bike or walk. Her response to our questionnaire displays a deep knowledge of the issues the City faces in implementing Complete Streets and articulates a detailed and practical vision for how to get there. In four years on the City Council, Meghan Sahli-Wells has been a consistent bike-friendly vote, a knowledgeable ambassador for bicycling, and an energetic advocate working to improve the safety and livability of Culver City streets. Residents have reaped many benefits from her outstanding work, and she deserves a chance to continue that work with another term in office.

Bike The Vote L.A. 2016 Grade: A+

[Click HERE for Meghan Sahli-Wells’ full questionnaire responses]

Thomas Small

A frequent bike-commuter and member of the Culver City Cultural Affairs Commission, Thomas Small shows an exceptional grasp of the concepts of – and need for – livable streets. In his response to Bike The Vote L.A, Mr. Small strongly declares that Culver City “need(s) more bike lanes and paths that are separated entirely and protected from cars,” and displays a willingness to make tough decisions to ensure quality bike infrastructure, including to “seriously consider dedicating the space from on-street parking” to create protected bike lanes. Mr. Small supports expeditiously bringing a bike share system to Culver City and to coordinate its implementation with current and future transit-oriented development. In consideration of recently removed crosswalks on Jefferson Blvd, Mr. Small makes it clear that pedestrian and bike access should be prioritized for the benefit of Culver City residents over desires vehicular throughput. Thomas Small is a superb candidate with a vision to improve livability and increase mobility options in Culver City.

Bike The Vote L.A. 2016 Grade: A

[Click HERE for Thomas Small’s full questionnaire responses]

Daniel Lee

Environmental advocate and social welfare activist Daniel Lee offers a bold and fresh vision for Culver City coupled with solid support for implementation of livable streets. In his response to Bike The Vote L.A.’s questionnaire, Mr. Lee demonstrates that he is ready to make the tough decisions needed to implement connected bicycle infrastructure, support for implementing bike share, and for adopting a Vision Zero policy to end traffic deaths in Culver City. Mr. Lee understands the dual benefits of improved bicycle infrastructure in improving quality and safety for current bike commuters, as well as in providing a greater range of healthy, sustainable mobility options for people who aren’t currently commuting by bike. Mr. Lee also shows that he understands the importance of maintaining a convenient and walkable City through his opposition to recent removal of crosswalks on Jefferson Blvd. Daniel Lee is a thoughtful and needed voice for safer streets for Culver City.

Bike The Vote L.A. 2016 Grade: A

[Click HERE for Daniel Lee’s full questionnaire responses]

Scott Wyant

Scott Wyant has a keen understanding of the long-term goals to provide Culver City with more diverse mobility options. As a Culver City Planning Commissioner, he supported incorporating needed bicycle connections into the design for the Expo Line-adjacent Ivy Station development project. Also a former member of the committee overseeing development of Culver City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, Mr. Wyant has deep knowledge and experience with the opportunities and challenges for implementing livable streets in Culver City. We have some concerns with Mr. Wyant’s hesitancy to prioritize the safety and mobility needs of vulnerable road users above the convenience of drivers passing through Culver City, and hope to see him continue to develop a platform and strategy that puts safety first. With his depth of experience and understanding, Scott Wyant will make a strong advocate for a more multi-modal Culver City.

Bike The Vote L.A. 2016 Grade: A-

[Click HERE for Scott Wyant’s full questionnaire responses]

Göran Eriksson

Göran Eriksson presents a strong, bike-friendly platform through support for a Vision Zero policy in Culver City, support for a bike share system, and the need to provide access to transit for bicycle commuters, particularly between the Expo Line and Downtown Culver City. As a Culver City Chamber of Commerce board member, there’s no doubt that Mr. Eriksson understands the ways in which a connected, safe, and convenient network for bicycle transportation helps local businesses and the local economy. We were troubled by Mr. Eriksson’s support for removing crosswalks on Jefferson Blvd, where we would prefer to see priority placed on the mobility needs of local residents aiming to commute and/or get exercise on foot. We also would like to see more prioritization and urgency from Mr. Eriksson for bicycle infrastructure, including making the sometimes difficult decision to reallocate roadway space to make it safer to bike and walk. But we have faith that Mr. Eriksson’s vision for a safe and convenient transportation system – and his knowledge of European models for bicycle infrastructure – will make him a thoughtful advocate on the City Council of a more bikeable and safer Culver City.

Bike The Vote L.A. 2016 Grade: B+

[Click HERE for Göran Eriksson’s full questionnaire responses]

Marcus Tiggs

Marcus Tiggs carries a depth of knowledge of bicycle infrastructure and the benefits of a transportation system that offers options to different modes. We greatly appreciate his support for Vision Zero, the need to reduce speeding in order to improve roadway safety, and his desire to bring bike share to Culver City. Two items give us pause in Mr. Tiggs platform: 1) his support of an unbalanced plan that removed crosswalks from Jefferson Blvd. to prioritize speeding traffic through Culver City, and 2) his lukewarm support for protected bike lanes. We hope to see Mr. Tiggs develop these positions as the need for quality pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure becomes a more clear component of improving roadway safety, and as protected bike lanes become more and more common as a proven, safety-enhancing design treatment. We look forward to seeing Marcus Tiggs as an advocate for a balanced transportation system in Culver City.

Bike The Vote L.A. 2016 Grade: B+

[Click HERE for Marcus Tiggs’ full questionnaire responses]

Jay Garacochea

While we appreciated that former Culver City Detective Jay Garacochea responded to our questionnaire, we were disappointed with the positions he articulated. In the most recent 2013 Governor’s Office of Traffic Safety study, Culver City ranked 11th worst in California of 92 peer cities for pedestrian injuries & fatalities and 17th worst for bike-related injuries & fatalities. When Mr. Garacochea explains, “I feel as though our current public transit system is the best the city has to offer,” he displays no urgency or resolve to address the important challenges that Culver City faces to improve safety for its most vulnerable road users. In his answers to Bike The Vote L.A, Mr. Garacochea notes he supports inconveniencing residents’ access on foot in order to prioritize car traffic through Culver City. Mr. Garacochea is hesitant to support a needed safe bike connection between the Expo Line and Downtown Culver City or even to support bringing bike share to Culver City. We are encouraged that he expresses an interest in seeing an increase in bike lanes throughout the City, but considering his reluctance to put safety first in roadway design, Mr. Garacochea makes it clear that he does not currently hold positions that would make him a bike-friendly candidate.

Bike The Vote L.A. 2016 Grade: C-

[Click HERE for Jay Garacochea’s full questionnaire responses]

2016 Culver City Council Candidate: Meghan Sahli-Wells

Posted on by bikethevote

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Candidate campaign page: http://www.vote4meghan.com/

Incumbent Culver City Council Member and former Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells has a superb record of leadership in making Culver City streets safer for everyone. From her early work in co-founding the Culver City Bicycle Coalition, to developing a Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan for the City, to bringing CicLAvia to Culver City, and her depth of experience as a bike commuter; there is nobody who has worked harder to make Culver City a better place for people who bike or walk. Her response to our questionnaire displays a deep knowledge of the issues the City faces in implementing Complete Streets and articulates a detailed and practical vision for how to get there. In four years on the City Council, Meghan Sahli-Wells has been a consistent bike-friendly vote, a knowledgeable ambassador for bicycling, and an energetic advocate working to improve the safety and livability of Culver City streets. Residents have reaped many benefits from her outstanding work, and she deserves a chance to continue that work with another term in office.

Bike The Vote L.A. 2016 Grade: A+

(See below for full candidate questionnaire response)

1. What would an ideal transportation system for Culver City consist of? What mode options, considerations for people of different ages and abilities, and innovative features would that transportation system include?

Sahli-Wells: An ideal system in Culver City would fully embrace Complete Streets and improve transportation for everyone: children with and without accompanying adults, elderly and disabled residents, those using wheelchairs, and cyclists of all ages (8-80 rule). As Vice-Chair of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, before my election to the City Council, I helped craft the current Bike & Ped. Master Plan which mandates a Complete Streets approach. We must update and continue implementing the Plan, and:

  • expand our current bus system;
  • activate our TOD as a truly accessible active transportation hub;
  • prioritize upgrading and keeping our roads and sidewalks in good repair;
  • repaint worn crosswalks with high-visibility treatments;
  • place bicycle loop detectors at all intersections;
  • install protected bike lanes;
  • increase bike lanes and accompany them with clear signage;
  • and implement a bike share program

2. With so many people on foot and on bike killed each year while commuting in Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles recently adopted a “Vision Zero” policy to work towards eliminating traffic deaths in the City of L.A. by 2025. Would you support adopting Vision Zero for Culver City?

Sahli-Wells: Absolutely. When I was Mayor, I accepted USDOT’s Mayor’s Challenge for Safer People Safer Streets, and more recently joined SCAG’s efforts to improve traffic safety as a spokesperson for their Go Human Campaign. I’ve learned that California has the nation’s highest number of fatalities involving people walking and bicycling, and traffic safety is one of the top causes of injury and death in the SCAG region. This is unacceptable. Cities have the power to change this horrifying trend, because we are in charge of designing our streets. In European countries, such as Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands, where Vision Zero has been in place for many years, traffic speed has been significantly reduced, streets have been engineered for all road users, and countless lives have been saved. Culver City should adopt a Vision Zero policy and embrace this simple premise: no life should be lost in a traffic accident.

3. Culver City is considering implementing protected bike lanes – bike lanes separated from vehicles by a physical barrier – in two key locations: 1) on National Blvd to close the gap between the two halves of the Expo Bike Path that extend to USC/Expo Park to the East and Santa Monica to the West, and 2) on Washington Blvd connecting the Expo Line Culver City station to Downtown Culver City. Do you support these projects, which may require a dedication of developer land and/or a reduction of on-street car parking spaces?

Sahli-Wells: Yes, I support these important safety improvements, and have consistently voted in favor of them. As a cycling advocate and resident who uses a bicycle as my primary mode of transportation, I have firsthand experience travelling to and from the Expo line using these two boulevards; it is clear to me that protected lanes would provide safe access to the station and are long overdue.

4. Would you support bringing a bike share system to Culver City, and if so, what will you do to expedite its installation?

Sahli-Wells: Absolutely. In fact, in the last budget cycle, I approved funding for a bike share feasibility study, which will help Culver City find the right system (CycleHop / BTS), the right locations and funding opportunities. The current Council has given clear direction to City Staff that we will pursue bike share in Culver City. Bike sharing systems have been successful in the United States in cities such as DC, New York, Pittsburgh, San Jose, Portland and now, Santa Monica. On a personal note, I lived in Paris when Velib was introduced, and frequently used it there. It will be a marvelous addition to the transportation options Culver City enjoys.

5. The City Council recently voted to prioritize vehicular travel through Culver City over providing pedestrian access for local residents to businesses and Culver City Park. Do you support the removal of crosswalks at Duquesne & Jefferson and Summertime Lane/Jordan Way & Jefferson?

Sahli-Wells: As a current member of the Culver City Council, I voted against the removal of these two crosswalks. There are better ways of improving traffic flow without reducing safe crossing zones for pedestrians. During the vote, I made it clear that we should focus on reducing vehicle speed and not on increasing vehicle throughput.

6. Do you presently bike in Culver City? What are your experiences, or if not, what would it take to make you feel comfortable biking on city streets?

Sahli-Wells: I bike daily in Culver City and beyond. My primary vehicle is a bicycle.

2016 Culver City Council Candidate: Thomas Small

Posted on by bikethevote

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Candidate campaign page: http://www.thomas4culvercity.org/

A frequent bike-commuter and member of the Culver City Cultural Affairs Commission, Thomas Small shows an exceptional grasp of the concepts of – and need for – livable streets. In his response to Bike The Vote L.A, Mr. Small strongly declares that Culver City “need(s) more bike lanes and paths that are separated entirely and protected from cars,” and displays a willingness to make tough decisions to ensure quality bike infrastructure, including to “seriously consider dedicating the space from on-street parking” to create protected bike lanes. Mr. Small supports expeditiously bringing a bike share system to Culver City and to coordinate its implementation with current and future transit-oriented development. In consideration of recently removed crosswalks on Jefferson Blvd, Mr. Small makes it clear that pedestrian and bike access should be prioritized for the benefit of Culver City residents over desires vehicular throughput. Thomas Small is a superb candidate with a vision to improve livability and increase mobility options in Culver City.

Bike The Vote L.A. 2016 Grade: A

(See below for full candidate questionnaire response)

1. What would an ideal transportation system for Culver City consist of? What mode options, considerations for people of different ages and abilities, and innovative features would that transportation system include?

Small: The design and enhancement of our sidewalks, walking paths, bike lanes and bike paths must be advanced to a higher priority. Every destination in our city must be safely and easily accessible by bike and by foot. Culver City should become the most innovative and advanced community in the world in regard to connectivity and transit options for the “last mile” from the Expo Train stations to all the other destinations in our city. Bike sharing, Zip Cars and other car sharing services, electric scooter sharing (http://www.scootnetworks.com/) as in San Francisco, Pedi cabs, shuttles, corporate and other volume discount agreements with Uber and Lyft, Uber pool arrangements, and other innovative strategies will be imperative to the vitality of our city. All of these options need to be integrated into a master plan including the new developments and the school district.

2. With so many people on foot and on bike killed each year while commuting in Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles recently adopted a “Vision Zero” policy to work towards eliminating traffic deaths in the City of L.A. by 2025. Would you support adopting Vision Zero for Culver City?

Small: Yes. The transportation system needs to evolve and be upgraded with the system described above so that car traffic can slow down a little to make it safer for bikes. We also need more bike lanes and paths that are separated entirely and protected from cars.

3. Culver City is considering implementing protected bike lanes – bike lanes separated from vehicles by a physical barrier – in two key locations: 1) on National Blvd to close the gap between the two halves of the Expo Bike Path that extend to USC/Expo Park to the East and Santa Monica to the West, and 2) on Washington Blvd connecting the Expo Line Culver City station to Downtown Culver City. Do you support these projects, which may require a dedication of developer land and/or a reduction of on-street car parking spaces?

Small: Yes. We need to require this and work with the developers to accomplish it – all of them whose projects are in the immediate area to make both of these projects happen. The bike lanes need to be prioritized. The Lowes Company at Ivy Station, the Platform, Access Culver City, and the new development at Surfas all need to collaborate with the Culver City Public Works, Metro, Los Angeles, and any other agencies and jurisdictions to make this happen. The overly narrow sidewalk on the west side of National south of Washington also needs to be widened and the light poles need to be removed. We should seriously consider dedicating the space from the on-street parking to these projects.

4. Would you support bringing a bike share system to Culver City, and if so, what will you do to expedite its installation?

Small: Yes. We need to study the systems promoted by Metro and being used in Santa Monica to determine which system would be best for Culver City, and mandate collaboration with the TOD developer and the other developers of new projects. The City Council should move forward with this immediately.

5. The City Council recently voted to prioritize vehicular travel through Culver City over providing pedestrian access for local residents to businesses and Culver City Park. Do you support the removal of crosswalks at Duquesne & Jefferson and Summertime Lane/Jordan Way & Jefferson?

Small: I think that decision was a mistake. We need to move forward on the alternative transportation options as outlined above so that we are less dependent on private cars to get around the city. And we need to prioritize pedestrian and bike access.

6. Do you presently bike in Culver City? What are your experiences, or if not, what would it take to make you feel comfortable biking on city streets?

Small: I ride my bike regularly as does my wife and my two 8-yr old third graders at Linwood Howe Elementary School. We built our sustainably designed house on Carson St near downtown specifically to be able to walk and bike to downtown, to school, to the Expo Station, to Helms Bakery, to several parks and to many other locations in Culver City. I often take my scooter to the train and then ride it to meetings or concerts in downtown LA after taking the Metro. There are many places in Culver City that do not have good bike access, where the bike lanes and paths are not well designed, and where the design favors the car traffic over bikes and pedestrians. When I ride to City Hall, the bike lanes through downtown Culver City are particularly bad, as they are in West Culver City as well. Let’s fix it.

2016 Culver City Council Candidate: Daniel Lee

Posted on by bikethevote

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Candidate campaign page: http://danielwaynelee.com/

Environmental advocate and social welfare activist Daniel Lee offers a bold and fresh vision for Culver City coupled with solid support for implementation of livable streets. In his response to Bike The Vote L.A.’s questionnaire, Mr. Lee demonstrates that he is ready to make the tough decisions needed to implement connected bicycle infrastructure, support for implementing bike share, and for adopting a Vision Zero policy to end traffic deaths in Culver City. Mr. Lee understands the dual benefits of improved bicycle infrastructure in improving quality and safety for current bike commuters, as well as in providing a greater range of healthy, sustainable mobility options for people who aren’t currently commuting by bike. Mr. Lee also shows that he understands the importance of maintaining a convenient and walkable City through his opposition to recent removal of crosswalks on Jefferson Blvd. Daniel Lee is a thoughtful and needed voice for safer streets for Culver City.

Bike The Vote L.A. 2016 Grade: A

(See below for full candidate questionnaire response)

1. What would an ideal transportation system for Culver City consist of? What mode options, considerations for people of different ages and abilities, and innovative features would that transportation system include?

Lee: An ideal transportation system would be low cost to free, frequent, highly used and not dependent on cars. We already have the expo line, the culver transit center and we are very close to the west la transit center. Culver City needs to make sure that these transit options and the Culver City, Santa Monica and Metro buses are easily connected and accessible for young, old and disabled. A low cost system would encourage people to live work and play in Culver City.

2. With so many people on foot and on bike killed each year while commuting in Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles recently adopted a “Vision Zero” policy to work towards eliminating traffic deaths in the City of L.A. by 2025. Would you support adopting Vision Zero for Culver City?

Lee: Definitely.

3. Culver City is considering implementing protected bike lanes – bike lanes separated from vehicles by a physical barrier – in two key locations: 1) on National Blvd to close the gap between the two halves of the Expo Bike Path that extend to USC/Expo Park to the East and Santa Monica to the West, and 2) on Washington Blvd connecting the Expo Line Culver City station to Downtown Culver City. Do you support these projects, which may require a dedication of developer land and/or a reduction of on-street car parking spaces?

Lee: I support both of these projects as they promote bike riding and safety. There are a number of people who both bike and drive and it may be the encouragement needed to bike more.

4. Would you support bringing a bike share system to Culver City, and if so, what will you do to expedite its installation?

Lee: I would support a bike share system in Culver City if it were based around downtown Culver City, the Expo Line Station and the Ballona Creek Bike path. The city in general should take steps to become more bike-able and walkable but I would want to make sure that all options were considered prior to approval.

5. The City Council recently voted to prioritize vehicular travel through Culver City over providing pedestrian access for local residents to businesses and Culver City Park. Do you support the removal of crosswalks at Duquesne & Jefferson and Summertime Lane/Jordan Way & Jefferson?

Lee: I do not support the removal of crosswalks at Duquesne or Summertime Lane and I was at the city council meeting when the vote to remove both crosswalks went through. I was disappointed in the presentation from city staff as they did not satisfactorily explain how removing the crosswalks would actually significantly improve traffic. Some of the other street improvements could have gone ahead without removing the crosswalks.

6. Do you presently bike in Culver City? What are your experiences, or if not, what would it take to make you feel comfortable biking on city streets?

Lee: I sparingly bike in Culver City. I mostly walk. If there were more dedicated bike lanes in the city that were clearly identified (with color perhaps) I would feel more comfortable biking in Culver City.

2016 Culver City Council Candidate: Scott Wyant

Posted on by bikethevote

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Candidate campaign page: http://www.wyant4council.com/

Scott Wyant has a keen understanding of the long-term goals to provide Culver City with more diverse mobility options. As a Culver City Planning Commissioner, he supported incorporating needed bicycle connections into the design for the Expo Line-adjacent Ivy Station development project. Also a former member of the committee overseeing development of Culver City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, Mr. Wyant has deep knowledge and experience with the opportunities and challenges for implementing livable streets in Culver City. We have some concerns with Mr. Wyant’s hesitancy to prioritize the safety and mobility needs of vulnerable road users above the convenience of drivers passing through Culver City, and hope to see him continue to develop a platform and strategy that puts safety first. With his depth of experience and understanding, Scott Wyant will make a strong advocate for a more multi-modal Culver City.

Bike The Vote L.A. 2016 Grade: A-

(See below for full candidate questionnaire response)

1. What would an ideal transportation system for Culver City consist of? What mode options, considerations for people of different ages and abilities, and innovative features would that transportation system include?

Wyant: An ideal transportation system for Culver City would be multi-modal, with a focus on shared transport, walking and biking.  For the purposes of this document, please assume that when I talk about “biking,” I’m referring to the casual bicyclist, rather than the dedicated cyclist who travels everywhere on two wheels.  If we can get casual cyclists to opt for a bike on 10% of their trips, we can make a huge difference in traffic, air, health and safety problems.  Culver City, like most urban areas, is also experiencing an explosion of interest and participation in such transportation sharing services as Uber and Lyft.  These services have their downsides, but if properly managed they can improve the fabric of Westside transportation – especially given the new Metro station.

2. With so many people on foot and on bike killed each year while commuting in Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles recently adopted a “Vision Zero” policy to work towards eliminating traffic deaths in the City of L.A. by 2025. Would you support adopting Vision Zero for Culver City?

Wyant: From the website link you provide, it is clear that Los Angeles is adopting a data-driven approach to VisionZero, and I would support such an approach in Culver City.  We have a much less complicated and more constrained system of roadways than LA, and most of our streets are extremely narrow, which presents engineering challenges.  We need to take a formal look at what we can and cannot do to encourage more walking and cycling, while keeping in mind that many of our citizens are not able to walk or cycle to the places they need to go.

3. Culver City is considering implementing protected bike lanes – bike lanes separated from vehicles by a physical barrier – in two key locations: 1) on National Blvd to close the gap between the two halves of the Expo Bike Path that extend to USC/Expo Park to the East and Santa Monica to the West, and 2) on Washington Blvd connecting the Expo Line Culver City station to Downtown Culver City. Do you support these projects, which may require a dedication of developer land and/or a reduction of on-street car parking spaces?

Wyant: If I read this question correctly, you are describing exactly the solution that the Culver City Planning Commission (of which I am a member) imposed on the developer of the new Ivy Station development rising on the Metro station parking lot at the corner of National and Washington.  Those bike lanes (and bike boxes) are part of our Conditions of Approval for the project – conditions that I advocated and supported, along with plentiful bike parking (both long and short term) throughout the project.

4. Would you support bringing a bike share system to Culver City, and if so, what will you do to expedite its installation?

Wyant: I have supported a bike share system in Culver City for 5 years, since we visited my daughter in Barcelona and saw the system in action. I’ve also used bike shares in Denver and San Francisco, and I know they work.  As the Chair of the Chamber of Commerce Transportation Task Force, I have actively lobbied for a bike share system, perhaps in concert with Los Angeles or Santa Monica.  One of the problems we face is that for many people who might want to use a shared bike system, their destination lies outside the city (Venice Beach, Manhattan Beach, the Marina), and we have to come up with a way to allow them to drop off their bikes in those locations.  The city is in talks with both Santa Monica and Los Angeles about this situation, and I will continue to participate in those discussions, once I am elected.

5. The City Council recently voted to prioritize vehicular travel through Culver City over providing pedestrian access for local residents to businesses and Culver City Park. Do you support the removal of crosswalks at Duquesne & Jefferson and Summertime Lane/Jordan Way & Jefferson?

Wyant: This is a situation where the present meets the future.  Traffic is backing up on Duquesne all the way to Washington Blvd., which in turn causes gridlock on traffic moving through the whole downtown neighborhood, resulting in cut-through traffic on formerly quiet streets.  Until we can address the issue of people who use Culver City streets as an alternative to the freeway, we have to make hard choices.  Personally, I would have preferred to see a more creative solution – perhaps a green light for pedestrians for 10-15 seconds before the green light for autos, followed by a longer light for those cars to turn onto Jefferson.  The letter writer in your link also suggests traffic circles on Jefferson – an idea I think has merit, and that I would encourage Public Works to explore

6. Do you presently bike in Culver City? What are your experiences, or if not, what would it take to make you feel comfortable biking on city streets?

Wyant: I do bike in Culver City.  I was the founding secretary of the Culver City Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Committee.  I consider myself a “casual” bicyclist, one who needs to be encouraged to bicycle rather than just grab the car keys.  My wife and I also walk a lot.  That said, I will NOT cycle on any street which I know to be heavily traveled by cars – Braddock Ave., for example.  The pleasure is taken away from the experience, and I bike for pleasure.  I cannot help but think of the Mayor of Los Angeles, cycling in a large group, in a bike lane on Venice Blvd. who STILL got “doored.” Unfortunately, most Culver City streets are far too narrow to allow for a lane of traffic, plus a dedicated bicycle lane.   Where it’s feasible, I’d support such lanes – but those feasible places are rare.

2016 Culver City Council Candidate: Göran Eriksson

Posted on by bikethevote

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Candidate campaign page: http://www.erikssonforcouncil.com/

Göran Eriksson presents a strong, bike-friendly platform through support for a Vision Zero policy in Culver City, support for a bike share system, and the need to provide access to transit for bicycle commuters, particularly between the Expo Line and Downtown Culver City. As a Culver City Chamber of Commerce board member, there’s no doubt that Mr. Eriksson understands the ways in which a connected, safe, and convenient network for bicycle transportation helps local businesses and the local economy. We were troubled by Mr. Eriksson’s support for removing crosswalks on Jefferson Blvd, where we would prefer to see priority placed on the mobility needs of local residents aiming to commute and/or get exercise on foot. We also would like to see more prioritization and urgency from Mr. Eriksson for bicycle infrastructure, including making the sometimes difficult decision to reallocate roadway space to make it safer to bike and walk. But we have faith that Mr. Eriksson’s vision for a safe and convenient transportation system – and his knowledge of European models for bicycle infrastructure – will make him a thoughtful advocate on the City Council of a more bikeable and safer Culver City.

Bike The Vote L.A. 2016 Grade: B+

(See below for full candidate questionnaire response)

1. What would an ideal transportation system for Culver City consist of? What mode options, considerations for people of different ages and abilities, and innovative features would that transportation system include?

Eriksson: The ideal system would be a public transportation system that was commuter-oriented, coordinating bus and light rail schedules so that rider could count on efficient and timely transportation to and from their destinations. Today, we have a rail system and a bus system, but they act largely independently. We need to have them work together seamlessly as part of a multi-modal transportation network. Taking that a step further, we must develop an extensive system of dedicated/separated bike/walk paths to connect with the Expo Line, our main commercial areas, residential neighborhoods and schools. In short, we must make it easy, reliable and timely for commuters and recreational users to go from their front door to their destination by using some combination of walking, biking and public transportation. I am also a proponent of a bike- and/or car-share program throughout Culver City to provide added flexibility. In addition, I believe the blossoming of the sharing economy gives us the opportunity to provide incentives for services like Uber and Lyft to drop and pick up passengers at locations that work best for our system (major transportation hubs, shopping destinations, etc.). That is something the city should explore immediately since it helps both reduce traffic and demand for parking.

2. With so many people on foot and on bike killed each year while commuting in Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles recently adopted a “Vision Zero” policy to work towards eliminating traffic deaths in the City of L.A. by 2025. Would you support adopting Vision Zero for Culver City?

Eriksson: Yes.

3. Culver City is considering implementing protected bike lanes – bike lanes separated from vehicles by a physical barrier – in two key locations: 1) on National Blvd to close the gap between the two halves of the Expo Bike Path that extend to USC/Expo Park to the East and Santa Monica to the West, and 2) on Washington Blvd connecting the Expo Line Culver City station to Downtown Culver City. Do you support these projects, which may require a dedication of developer land and/or a reduction of on-street car parking spaces?

Eriksson: I support the creation of dedicated bike paths where possible. Specifically, I believe that a path between the Expo Station and Downtown Culver City should be pursued because it will help make commuting using the light rail safer and more appealing. Looking at how similar pathways have been developed in Europe, I believe that the natural connection between our Downtown and the Expo Station is from the west end (Venice Boulevard side of the station). That is the shortest distance and it is a route that should be explored.

4. Would you support bringing a bike share system to Culver City, and if so, what will you do to expedite its installation?

Eriksson: I believe in a bike-share system, but in order for such a system to be effective in our city, it must be part of a larger, regional system. I believe Culver City can be a leader in working with the City of Los Angeles and Metro to push hard for the establishment of such a system and can work within our city to provide the needed amenities (bike lockers, vending locations for patch kits, etc.) to make it successful.

5. The City Council recently voted to prioritize vehicular travel through Culver City over providing pedestrian access for local residents to businesses and Culver City Park. Do you support the removal of crosswalks at Duquesne & Jefferson and Summertime Lane/Jordan Way & Jefferson?

Eriksson: This is a decision that has already been made by the Council, and while it will increase pedestrian safety at those intersections by minimizing left-turn conflicts with cars, it is important for us to create safe, walkable streets throughout our city. Sometimes that will mean adding crosswalks to facilitate easier crossings for pedestrians and other times it will mean encouraging pedestrians to cross where it is safer for them to do so.

6. Do you presently bike in Culver City? What are your experiences, or if not, what would it take to make you feel comfortable biking on city streets?

Eriksson: I do bike on a regular basis, but I ride primarily on neighborhood streets, Culver Boulevard and the Ballona Creek Bike Path. Like many recreational cyclists, I’m not comfortable riding on streets with lots of traffic (Sepulveda, Overland, Washington, etc.). I, and many others, would ride more if we can find a way to make it safer by creating separated bike paths, something I definitely support.