Tag: bikethevote

2016 Culver City Council Candidate: Jay Garacochea

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Candidate campaign page: http://www.vote4jay2016.com/

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-

(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?

Garacochea: I feel as though our current public transit system is the best the city has to offer.  I feel as though we should take a look on how the system is ran and ask the users for input on how they would improve it.  The city needs to look into innovative ways to save money and still offer quality service.

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?

Garacochea: I would be in support of Vision Zero.  Public safety should always be a priority to any city, I should know, I worked as a traffic officer for Culver City Police Department for years.  However, I believe that if you have to begin with the police department.  The police need to be fully staffed and trained, selective enforcement of problem intersections, and enforcing speed laws.  I would like to know who much the plan would cost the city and if there would be any grant funds available through the U.S. Department of Transportation.

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?

Garacochea: I more than likely would not support these projects based on this question alone. I would have to evaluate the impact on traffic and consider how many individuals ride their bicycles between the metro and downtown Culer City.  Another consideration is the overall cost of the project.  What other cities have done this and what types of results did they have?

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

Garacochea: Before supporting the bike share program, I would have to speak to city employees and council members in Santa Monica, Fullerton, or other cities that have the program.  I would like to know what results, positive and negative, they have experienced.  What problems have other cities experienced during the roll out of the program?  I would also like to hear from individuals that use the bike share program and their thoughts.

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?

Garacochea: I do support the removal of the crosswalk.  Again, as a former motor officer, I have seen the issues that drivers face on a daily basis.  The removal of those particular crosswalks do not inconvenience the pedestrian as much as it does increase the flow of traffic.  This city is going to become worse to drive, walk, and bike in before it becomes better.  Therefore the city needs to be aggressive and make changes like this.

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?

Garacochea: I do bicycle in Culver City and enjoy riding down to Venice Beach.  I recently purchased a tandem bicycle for my wife and I. When I worked for Culver City, I would ride my bicycle to work every day.  I was one of two employees at the police department that took advantage of the city’s incentive program.  I had mostly good experiences with riding my bike to work.  However, I would avoid eastbound Washington Bl adjacent to Sony Studios because of the narrow lanes.  I would like to see an increase in bike lanes throughout the city.  I do enjoy the new bike lane on Washington Place and the safety it provides as we ride to and from the beach.

Bike The Vote L.A. Endorsement: John Heilman for West Hollywood City Council

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2015 West Hollywood City Council Special Election Endorsement: John Heilman

Election day: Tuesday, June 2, 7am-8pm
Find your polling place: http://www.weho.org/city-hall/city-clerk/election-information/voter-tool-test

On Tuesday, June 2nd, West Hollywood will hold a special election to fill the seat of former West Hollywood City Councilmember Jeffrey Prang, who was elected to become the Los Angeles County Assessor last Fall. Bike the Vote L.A. endorses John Heilman for this seat. Earlier this year, we highlighted John Heilman as a bike-friendly candidate – within a very crowded field of twelve – for one of three open council seats (link). Now, after a narrow defeat, he is back with a chance to add a critical bike-friendly voice to the West Hollywood City Council.

John Heilman has an exceptional history of serving his city: he is a founder of the City of West Hollywood, who went on to serve on the City Council for more than 30 years. Heilman was the leading voice on the council for making West Hollywood a better place to commute by bike and pushed for the addition of bike lanes in the redesign of Santa Monica Blvd in the western part of the city. He was a supporter of the West Hollywood Bicycle Task Force’s recommendations in 2011, which helped ensure bike lanes were installed during a resurfacing of San Vicente Blvd and supported installation of numerous bike racks throughout the City. He is a proponent for bringing a bike share system to West Hollywood, which would be a great step for local and regional mobility.

While the three other candidates in this election have expressed some encouraging comments about bicycling to the West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition (link), we’ve also seen some misguided focus on encouraging automotive transportation for short trips by further subsidizing car parking. Heilman has recognized that the most effective way to reduce car traffic is to make it easier to choose other options, including shuttles to the planned Metro Purple Line Extension (link), long-term transit improvements (link), safe biking infrastructure (link), and wider sidewalks (link).

With his track record for safe streets and commitment to further complete streets improvements for all of West Hollywood, Heilman will be a great addition to a forward-thinking West Hollywood City Council. We endorse John Heilman as a clear choice for residents seeking a more livable and vibrant West Hollywood.

Bike The Vote L.A. Endorsement: Carolyn Ramsay for City Council

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2015 Los Angeles CD4 Endorsement: Carolyn Ramsay

Election day: Tuesday, May 19, 7am-8pm
Find your polling place: http://lavote.net/locator

While the boundaries of Los Angeles Council District 4 may look ridiculous on a map, it is nonetheless a critical district in terms of L.A.’s bicycle transportation network. Sweeping through Mid-Wilshire, Hollywood, a sizable chunk of the San Fernando Valley, the Cahuenga Pass, and the spectacular landscape of Griffith Park, the district provides key connections – to the Los Angeles River, across the Hollywood Hills, and between dense Central L.A. neighborhoods and business corridors. The district has seen one livable streets project after another stalled under outgoing and bike-unfriendly Councilmember Tom LaBonge, making the race for a replacement that much more important.

Very early in the lead-up to the March primary, engaging voices emerged to provide an opportunity for much-needed progress. Carolyn Ramsay quickly articulated a thoughtful platform on mobility and livable streets, and was an early supporter for a reworking of the Hyperion Bridge with full sidewalks and buffered bike lanes, labeled “Option 3” by City staff and consultants (link).

This is not to imply that Ramsay had to go out on a limb: before going on-record with her decision, she rightly took the time to meet with community members and understand the overwhelming resident, business, and neighborhood council support for this forward-thinking solution. She was the first of the race’s top fundraising candidates to give ‘Option 3’ a thumbs-up, and after her lead, several other other candidates followed. Providing a safe connection by bike and on foot between Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, and the L.A. River is of critical importance and her early support is a testament to her priorities.

Ramsay continued to communicate an interest – based on personal experience – in making the district more accessible by bike by implementing better infrastructure that works for all ages and abilities. Her response to the LACBC questionnaire (link) offered a thoughtful consensus-building approach, which was reinforced by her support at a February candidate forum for a number of long-overdue bike lane projects: San Vicente, 6th Street, Lankershim, and the Cahuenga Pass. One of the most important things that Ramsay brings to in this election, however, is her extensive experience in the district as a former CD4 deputy and chief of staff, including learning from past failures in implementation of the City’s Bicycle Master Plan.

We’ve heard some encouraging things from the other candidate in this run-off election, David Ryu. But Ryu’s reluctance to communicate solutions for the area’s mobility problems, or take a stand in support of long-overdue improvements, gives us pause. Ramsay knows the district, and has solid ideas for how to bring consensus on projects that will improve its livability.

While we do have some concerns with some of Ramsay’s statements regarding improvements that would make Hollywood Boulevard and Hillhurst Avenue more vibrant, people-friendly streets to support thriving businesses, we are encouraged by her willingness to listen and to engage with her constituents towards finding solutions (link). There are lots of people, with lots of opinions – and so long as we keep an open dialogue, we are confident that any project that improves safety will prevail. We look forward to working with Carolyn Ramsay to improve mobility options for all Angelenos, and support her bid to represent the 4th District on the L.A. City Council.

Bike The Vote L.A. Endorsement: Terry Tornek for Pasadena Mayor

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2015 Pasadena Mayor Endorsement: Terry Tornek

Election day: Tuesday, April 21, 7am-8pm
Find your polling place: http://lavote.net/locator

The race for a new Pasadena Mayor after four terms under Mayor Bogaard has been an interesting one. As we pointed out in advance of the March 10th Primary, both run-off candidates – Terry Tornek and Jacque Robinson – provided thoughtful and encouraging statements to the Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition (Tornek + Robinson responses). Pasadena residents have an exceptional opportunity to choose between two bike-friendly candidates that can lead the city towards making streets safer and to make bicycling and walking more attractive for people of all ages. We appreciate both candidates’ commitment to safer streets, improving the lives of all residents.

Terry Tornek, however, stands out as the best choice to implement complete streets in Pasadena. As a member of the City’s Municipal Services Committee, Councilmember Tornek has advocated for the last two years for protected bike lanes in Pasadena, even challenging city staff to incorporate protected bike lanes and greenways when the draft bike plan primarily recommended only shared lane routes (link). Tornek’s willingness to engage with the bike community at the ground level by participating in a ride-along for Bike Month (link) and attending a memorial ride for fallen bicycle commuter, Phillip O’Neil (link), has given him a depth of experience in understanding what it will take to make streets accessible and safe for everyone. Unlike Robinson, who expressed a hesitancy to implement bike lanes at a recent debate (link), Tornek is in favor of adding bike lanes to Colorado Blvd. and is committed to encourage cycling as a form of transportation within Pasadena, including making the city “more bicycle friendly” as a central element of his platform.

With Tornek receiving 38% of the vote and Robinson 30% in the March Primary, this election will be extremely close. We consider it a success knowing that both candidates have expressed an interest in complete streets and a Vision Zero goal. But Terry Tornek’s long track record of support for complete streets has set him apart and earned our endorsement.

Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council Executive Committee Sets the Record Straight on Colorado Bike Lane Outreach and Support

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Public outreach over bike lanes installed on Colorado Blvd. has become an issue over the last week in the race for L.A. Council District 14. Former County Supervisor Gloria Molina – who has stated that she does not support reallocating roadway space in order to create bicycle lanes – along with fellow challenger Nadine Momoyo Diaz, have repeatedly accused incumbent Councilmember José Huizar of failing to adequately consider the residents’ and other stakeholders’ input when approving bike lane projects. In particular, Molina referenced Huizar’s 2013 green-lighting of bike lanes and other street safety improvements on Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock as one example of deficient outreach that allegedly did not respect the will of the community.

Following up on these comments at a 2/12 candidate forum co-hosted by the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council (ERNC), ERNC’s president provided a factual accounting of the public process preceding Huizar’s approval of the project as background information to all CD14 candidates’ campaigns (link). The process, as documented by ERNC’s Executive Committee, included at least four public meetings where dozens of speakers weighed in on whether to reallocate space on Colorado, significant outreach, as well as more than 100 letters and emails received by ERNC regarding the project. The ERNC Executive Committee’s Fact Sheet regarding Colorado Blvd. is reproduced here below the fold:

Colorado Boulevard Bike Lanes Fact Sheet

I.
The bike lane story is summed up in the May 24, 2013 Department of City Planning Recommendation Report about bike lanes on Colorado Boulevard and North Figueroa Street. In addition to a comprehensive analysis of the project by the City of Los Angeles, it contains a list of the public meetings held about the project, and a summary of the feedback from those meetings. Specifically mentioned in the document are:

– A public hearing on February 13, 2013 at the Los Angeles River Center at 570 W. Avenue 26.

– A webinar-style public hearing on February 20th, 2013 where interested public could provide feedback on all of the proposed bicycle lanes in Year of the First Five-Year Implementation Strategy.

– Numerous public meetings held by community groups like TERA, Take Back the Boulevard, Council Districts 1 and 14, and the various Neighborhood Councils in those districts where the City of Los Angeles planned to install bike lanes as part of the backbone of the city-wide 2010 Bicycle Plan.

Among those meetings, the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council either held or attended forums specifically about the 3 miles of Colorado Boulevard bike lanes on the following dates:

– ERNC board meeting of March 5, 2013. Agenda is here. The meeting minutes are here. At this public meeting, the ERNC discussed but deferred a vote on the Colorado Blvd portion of the bike lanes, so that even more public input could be gathered at a March 27 meeting held by Councilmember Huizar’s office. As reported in the ERNC newsletter, which is distributed to 1,500 stakeholders, and is reprinted by news organizations and the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment:

“The City of Los Angeles has offered several chances for Eagle Rockers to learn about the possibility of bike lanes on Colorado Boulevard, and what they might mean for traffic speeds, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, health, and commerce. With the help of CD-14, TERA, Take Back the Boulevard, the Chamber of Commerce, and the ERNC, they’re doing it again – this Wednesday, March 27, at 7pm at Occidental College.”

– CD-14 Town Hall meeting on March 27, 2013. The ERNC attended this large public meeting, held by Councilmember Huizar and numerous community groups. (See flyer below.) Here is a link to an Eastsider LA article about the meeting.

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– ERNC board meeting of April 2, 2013. Agenda is here. Minutes are here. Over 100 stakeholders attended this public ERNC meeting. As reported in the ERNC newsletter:

“At the April ERNC Board meeting, a packed house (and more!) listened to almost 2 hours’ worth of public speakers, City officials, and ERNC members explain, discuss, and opine on bike lanes along Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock. By the end of the meeting, it was abundantly clear that Eagle Rockers wanted buffered bike lanes installed along the length of Colorado – and soon – and the ERNC voted unanimously (12-0) to support them.”

– CD-14 Town Hall Meeting on June 3, 2013. The ERNC attends another large public meeting held by Councilmember Huizar’s office, which is held after the Planning Department’s report is issued, but before work is begun. It features a revised lane design based on public input at previous public meetings. As reported in the ERNC newsletter:

“The ERNC voted unanimously last April to support the DOT’s buffered bike lane plan for Colorado Boulevard, based on the overwhelmingly positive public input we received from residents and business owners. One of the concerns we heard from individuals and especially businesses was that while bike lanes were a good idea, there were other problems on Colorado that needed to be addressed… Some of you suggested that since all the paint is going to be stripped off the streets when the bike lanes go down, why not use this opportunity to fix a whole host of existing traffic problems? We’ve tried hard to make sure that the good folks at the DOT and Mr. Huizar’s office heard this message – and now they’re coming to town with a revised plan for the bike lanes that is way more specific than it’s been in the past. And they’re asking for your input about the design.”

II.
The ERNC’s vote to support the installation of bike lanes on Colorado Boulevard reflected overwhelming neighborhood support for the project. No vote in the recent history of the ERNC was as well-informed.

– The ERNC received (and read) at least 117 letters and emails specifically about the bike lane implementation plan, from stakeholders who listed their zip codes.

– In addition to dozens of speakers at 4 public meetings attended by hundreds of stakeholders living in Eagle Rock’s 90041, 42, and 65 zip codes, the ERNC heard a report from two board members who personally visited almost every business on the Colorado Boulevard bike lane route, to inform them of upcoming meetings about the bike lanes, and to listen to their opinions.

– The ERNC also separately received a list of 50 Eagle Rock business owners on or near Colorado Boulevard, who signed letters of support for the Colorado Boulevard bike lanes. (See flyer.) Here is a sample of one of the business owner letters.

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III.
The ERNC prides itself on informing Eagle Rock stakeholders about important local issues and events, and making sure Eagle Rockers’ voices are heard loud and clear – as well as accurately and proportionally. The Colorado Boulevard bike lane issue was a shining example of how the Neighborhood Council system in Los Angeles can be a vital link between individual stakeholders and their Council District representatives that ensures every voice is heard.

BIKE THE VOTE L.A. VOTER GUIDE – MARCH 2015

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2015 PRIMARIES BIKE-FRIENDLY SLATE CARD:
(see below for summaries)

  • L.A. CD4 – Tomás O’Grady, Carolyn Ramsay, Sheila Irani, Steve Veres
  • L.A. CD6 – Nury Martinez
  • L.A. CD8 – Marqueece Harris-Dawson
  • L.A. CD12 – Mitch Englander
  • L.A. CD14 – José Huizar, Nadine Diaz
  • West Hollywood City Council (pick 3) – John Heilman, Lindsey Horvath, Joe Guardarrama, Tristan Schukraft, John D’Amico, Matt Ralston, James “Duke” Mason
  • Burbank City Council (pick 2) – Will Rogers, Sharon Springer, Christopher Rizzotti, Emily Gabel-Luddy
  • Pasadena Mayor – Terry Tornek, Jacque Robinson, Jason Hardin
  • Pasadena CD1 – Brian Biery
  • Glendale City Council – Erik Yesayan

VOTING INFO:

  • Election Day for L.A. & West Hollywood is Tuesday, March 3rd. Polls are open 7am-8pm.
  • The deadline to register to vote is 2/17. You can even register online: http://bitly.com/btvregister
  • Where’s your polling place? Check lavote.net, or call 3-1-1.
  • In the City of LA, Early Voting has already started at City Hall and Piper Technical Center (more info).
  • City of Burbank Election Day is 2/24 (register by 2/9)
  • City of Pasadena Election Day is 3/10 (register by 2/23)
  • City of Glendale Election Day is 4/7 (register by 3/23)

ABOUT THIS ELECTION:
The upcoming city elections across Los Angeles County (March 3 for City of L.A.) are Primaries to determine which candidates who will move forward to a run-off (May 19 for City of L.A.). Unless a single candidate gets over 50% of the vote, the two candidates with the most votes will proceed. These local-only elections have exceptionally low voter turnout in Los Angeles, so we as advocates have a chance to have a huge influence on who gets in office. This election is a key moment to help shape how Los Angeles will – or won’t – make streets safer for people walking and bicycling. We need everyone to get out and volunteer for candidates in the next few weeks and, of course, vote on March 3rd (or February 24th in Burbank, March 10th in Pasadena & April 7th in Glendale).

ABOUT US:
Bike the Vote is made up of people who care about the future of Los Angeles. We seek to educate candidates about the importance of bicycling and walking and to support candidates who are committed to improving the safety of our streets. We invite any and everyone (except for paid staff of campaigns) to join our conversation and help make future decisions!

 

 

L.A. CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 4:

Bike-Friendly:
Tomás O’Grady
Carolyn Ramsay
Sheila Irani
Steve Veres

In L.A.’s most competitive council race, there are 14 candidates running to fill the position previously held by bike-unfriendly councilmember, Tom LaBonge. The bad news is that a number of candidates have demonstrated a poor understanding of street safety concepts, and a couple have expressed outright anti-bike prejudice. The good news is that many candidates are becoming more versed in livable streets, and that three candidates stand out as livable streets proponents: longtime safe streets advocate, Tomás O’Grady; one of the leading fundraisers in the race, Carolyn Ramsay; and transportation-savvy candidate, Sheila Irani. Another leading fundraiser, Steve Veres, also provided a thoughtful response to LACBC’s questionnaire (link), and came out in support of the Hyperion Bridge retrofit Option 3. Nonetheless, we’d like to hear more specific comments from Veres on street safety projects.

The race is all-but-guaranteed to go to a May 19th run-off, and so the ideal outcome would be to have two of these four emerge from the primary. Each has slight advantages that make them great candidates.

Advocates in the district are well-acquainted with Tomás O’Grady, a repeat candidate for this seat who was runner-up to LaBonge in 2011, as a leader within the Vision Hyperion group. He sees a future for L.A. as a multi-modal, ‘Vision Zero’ city and has consistently and forcefully stated that he will support reallocating space away from cars to make streets safer for people bicycling and walking (link).

Among the leading pack of candidates, it is encouraging to find a livable streets platform articulated by Carolyn Ramsay, a former CD4 chief of staff. She recently joined O’Grady in taking a stand in favor of a multi-modal Hyperion Bridge, and has communicated a practical approach to building a similar consensus for road diets and other street safety projects throughout CD4. In her response to LACBC, she highlighted a focus on building protected bike lanes in the district and increasing penalties for hit & run drivers (link).

Sheila Irani has the most experience in transportation planning and emphasizes her experience working (unsuccessfully) to build consensus for bike lane projects as a former LaBonge staffer. Having someone on the Council with Irani’s pro-bike attitude and solid expertise would be a boon for safe streets advocates. Some of her responses to LACBC, however, are disappointing (example: “it is a tough sell to get bike lanes on major corridors and I do think we should keep the bike lanes to adjacent streets as much as possible”) (link). If Irani progresses to the runoff, we’d like her to clarify her stance on improving safety, mobility and access for people bicycling and walking, particularly on major corridors.

All three of these candidates are well worth your vote, though personal preference may tip the scale for you one way or the other.

L.A. CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 6:

Bike-Friendly:
Nury Martinez

Sitting councilmember Nury Martinez is the former executive director of Pacoima Beautiful (a pro-complete streets community organization), and is one of our best advocates on the City Council for safe mobility options. With Martinez enjoying wide support, it’s not clear yet how competitive this race will be, but she is well deserving of your vote for a safer San Fernando Valley.

L.A. CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 8:

Bike-Friendly:
Marqueece Harris-Dawson

Marqueece Harris-Dawson leads the fundraising race for CD8 to replace termed-out Councilmember Bernard Parks, and thankfully is as far a departure from Parks as one could get. The former director of Community Coalition, Harris-Dawson has ground-level experience with the district, a focus on improving the lives of community youth, and a fresh, progressive perspective on improving South L.A, including support of bike lane projects (finally!).

L.A. CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 12:

Bike-Friendly:
Mitch Englander

Current councilmember Mitch Englander is running unopposed for CD12, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth pointing out that he has been a consistent supporter of bike lanes in his district and is leading the charge for repair of streets and sidewalks across the city in a way that improves the safety of both pedestrians and people who commute by bike (link). Just recently, Englander authored a motion and worked with LAPD to create a “yellow alert” system for hit & run crimes to address Los Angeles’ hit & run epidemic (link). Englander has been a solid ally for street safety, and we look forward to seeing what he can accomplish in a second term on the Council.

L.A. CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 14:

Bike-Friendly:
José Huizar
Nadine Diaz

The race for Council District 14 is a primarily a grudge match between two powerful figures: sitting Councilmember José Huizar, and termed-out former County Supervisor and all-around political power player, Gloria Molina.

Safe-streets advocates know José Huizar well as a steadfast ally who pushed for My Figueroa when it appeared to be in danger, green-lit Eagle Rock’s buffered bike lanes on Colorado Boulevard, and supported the build-out of Downtown’s network of bike lanes. Huizar has gone further than any other candidate city-wide in making ‘complete streets’ a central component of his platform (link). His response to LACBC’s candidate questionnaire was impressive, including support for an expanded bicycle network and an ‘Yellow Alert’ system for hit & run crimes (link).

Not to be lost in the shuffle is bike-friendly candidate, Nadine Diaz, who is a cyclist herself. While polls last year showed Diaz unlikely to proceed past the March primary, she gave thoughtful responses to LACBC, including a call for stiffer penalties for the perpetrators of hit & runs (link). Her statements that there had been insufficient outreach on bike lanes in NELA, however, have been unfortunate and misinformed.

Molina, on the other hand, has been silent on street safety in this campaign, having neglected to respond to LACBC’s candidate questionnaire (in a familiar fashion to then-candidate Gil Cedillo in neighboring CD1 in 2013). We had hoped that Molina was still the same bike-friendly person who supported annual bike rides for kids in East L.A. (link) and pushed for the Rail-to-River project in South L.A. (link). But after hearing her express opposition to bike lanes installed in CD14, that mobility “isn’t just about bikes and pedestrians,” and that the Downtown renaissance has disrupted automotive access to the area during DLANC/ASNC’s candidate forum; it is clear that Molina does not have road safety interests in mind.

WEST HOLLYWOOD CITY COUNCIL: (3 SEATS)

Bike-Friendly:
John Heilman
Lindsey Horvath
Joe Guardarrama
Tristan Schukraft
John D’Amico
Matt Ralston
James “Duke” Mason

The race for West Hollywood is full of a great deal of candidates who get that safe streets improve the lives of all residents, and only a couple of candidates who think that increasing motor vehicle speeds – to the detriment of everyone’s safety – is a solution for congestion. WeHoVille asked candidates a comprehensive series of transportation-related questions, which resulted in a great deal of thoughtful responses from the majority of candidates (link).

Candidates Tristan Schukraft, James “Duke” Mason, Matt Ralston, sitting Mayor John D’Amico, and Transportation Commission Chair Lindsey Horvath all call for improving walking, biking, and transit as a way to provide convenient mobility options for residents. And while they don’t address bikes specifically in their comments, Mayor Pro Tempre John Heilman & Joe Guardarrama also call for traffic calming and efficient transit options. West Hollywood residents have a great selection of candidates to ensure the city continues on its path towards safer streets. UPDATE: 10 of 12 candidates have provided responses to a questionnaire by the WeHo Bicycle Coalition showing wide support for the 2011 West Hollywood Bike Task Force’s recommendations, primarily from those noted above (link).

BURBANK CITY COUNCIL: (2 SEATS)

Bike-Friendly:
Will Rogers
Sharon Springer
Christopher Rizzotti
Emily Gabel-Luddy

Walk Bike Burbank sent city council candidates a thorough questionnaire and received some great responses from some candidates, and some dreadful responses from others who clearly don’t support goals for safer streets (link). Candidates Christopher Rizzotti (link) and Emily Gabel-Luddy (link) both communicated clear and thoughtful support for safer streets, and could make great advocates on the Burbank City Council.

But responses to Walk Bike Burbank from candidates Sharon Springer and Will Rogers were exceptional in their vision for better mobility options. Sharon Springer explains that an embrace of ‘complete streets’ is the solution to congestion problems that face the district (link). Will Rogers thoughtfully rebuts the flawed logic that existing levels of bicycling don’t warrant new bike lanes, stating, “I believe it’s absolutely critical it be made clear that bicycle and other transportation projects aren’t simply intended to serve a current need, but rather are necessary to make possible the sweeping changes in our habits that are necessary to our future.” (link)

PASADENA MAYOR:

Bike-Friendly:
Terry Tornek
Jacque Robinson
Jason Hardin

The biggest transportation issue in the Pasadena mayoral election is the 710 tunnel, which is universally opposed by all six mayoral candidates. Councilmember Terry Tornek, Vice Mayor Jacque Robinson, and local magazine publisher Jason Hardin have all incorporated safety for people bicycling and walking as elements of their platforms. All three provided promising responses to the Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition’s candidate questionnaire (link).

PASADENA CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1:

Bike-Friendly:
Brian Biery

Running to fill Jacque Robinson’s position on City Council, Brian Biery gave a thoughtful and thorough response to Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition’s questionnaire (link). Biery has made “Improving Alternate Forms of Transportation” a central issue of his platform, and supports dedicated bike lanes and complete street retrofits throughout District 1. Biery also noted that he supports a Vision Zero initiative to prioritize human life over driving convenience, making him an exceptional candidate for Northeast Pasadena.


GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL: (2 SEATS)

Bike-Friendly:
Erik Yesayan

Former Glendale Planning Commission Chair, Erik Yesayan, is also well known in the livable streets community as the co-founder of Walk Bike Glendale. In addition to prioritizing bike safety projects, Yesayan champions walkable communities within Glendale, and supports adoption of a Pedestrian Safety Master Plan for the city (link). Yesayan would be an exceptional advocate for livability and mobility options in one of L.A. County’s more populous cities.

 

LA Streetsblog’s CD4 Livable Streets Forum, 2/5/2015

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[Editor’s note: On February 5th, 2015, well over a hundred concerned residents and safe streets advocates attended the CD4 Livable Streets Forum, hosted by L.A. Streetsblog, Los Angeles Walks, and the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. Bike The Vote L.A. and many other attendees live-tweeted from the event under the hashtag, #CD4Streets. Zachary Rynew blogs at CICLAVALLEY, and put together thoughtful and timely reflections of the eight Los Angeles City Council District 4 candidates who participated in the event. Below is his report, originally posted on CicLAvalley HERE.]

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If you went to the Livable Forums event, you had a lot to absorb even without a full slate of candidates.

First some general notes:

  • Thanks to Don Ward of WOLFPACK HUSTLE lore for putting a pre-ride together from Sunset Triangle. I’m not as comfortable riding at night time, but riding in big groups is a very pleasant experience. Plus, I got a t-shirt too!
  • The crowd was probably around 200. They were very well behaved except for one moment. I tried clapping, but it just hurt my neck.
  • All the candidates supported option 3 (bike lanes!) for the Hyperion Bridge redo, although a couple of them seemed like they were copying other’s responses without knowing what it meant.
  • There was a couple lightning rounds where everyone could answer “No” or “Go” to bike lanes along specific streets. There was very little valley talk, but all supported bike lanes on Lankershim.
  • And big thanks to LACBC, LOS ANGELES WALKS and STREETSBLOG LA for putting on this event in such a setting at the Hollywood United Methodist Church. The interior was beautifully distracting.
  • As for the candidates, you had to read between what they were saying and what they believed. The connectivity between the two varied greatly from candidate to candidate. I think they all believe that LA has to be more street friendly for all people who walk or bike, but not all of them understand the reasoning behind it.

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Here are some quick thoughts on the candidates (seated from left to right):

Sheila Irani: By far the most knowledgeable on transit issues and sounded like the most trustworthy candidate there. Even when she disagreed with the Cahuegna Pass bike lanes, I agreed with her reasoning that regular bike lanes would be insufficient and something requiring more infrastructure, like a bridge or tunnel would have to be added. [Irani response to LACBC Questionnaire]

Rostom “Ross” Sarkissian: After a night of questioning, I did not really get a feel for him. He was against the Hillhurst bike lanes because the locals he’s heard from think they would be too dangerous. Um…how bad is it now? Also, saying that decisions would be based on metrics makes it sound like numbers could be used as excuses. [Sarkissian did NOT respond to the LACBC Questionnaire]

Carolyn Ramsay: My vibe is that she’s a Tom LaBonge 2.0. Maybe a bike more bike savvy than him, but not a game changer. She wanted bike lanes on Sunset over Hollywood Blvd., but didn’t quite put together good logic why. [Ramsay response to LACBC Questionnaire]

Tomas O’Grady: Definitely a shot of hot coffee. He’s strongly pro bike lanes. I think he passed on one question in lightning round because he didn’t know the parameters (I was sitting midway back). I don’t think he’s as knowledgable as Irani on this front, but he seems to be the most excitable. [O’Grady response to LACBC Questionnaire]

Tara Bannister: She said yes to all bike lanes, but I might question her resolve and understanding. In her closing statements, she wanted to bring LA’s streets back to where they were twenty years ago. I didn’t know we were safer in 1995 than we were now. [Bannister did NOT respond to the LACBC Questionnaire]

Steve Veres: He probably said no most to bike lanes when the lightning rounds happened. I don’t think he’s a curmudgeon, but he gave a pragmatist response from his position of knowledge. When he referred that this may be a thirty year project, it doesn’t sound like he’ll be the champion of great streets. [Veres response to LACBC Questionnaire]

Fred Mariscal: He supported bike lanes in all cases, but seemed lukewarm in his opinions. When you believe that you have to see as it goes, then that doesn’t instill confidence that you’re behind reworking our streets. I also learned he has a dog. [Mariscal response to LACBC Questionnaire]

Mike Schaefer: Schaefer has the most experience of all the candidates (he brought it up, not me). He goes with the slogan “Safer with Schaefer.” With all this in his arsenal, I still don’t know if he truly understands safe streets. He brought up there’s people cycling all over in San Diego (where he was a councilman), but I have no idea what he had to do with it. He also said he’d hire a staffer who’d have to bike to work so he could tell him about it. So there’s that. [Schaefer did NOT respond to the LACBC Questionnaire]

These are my quick reads here. I encourage people to read the LACBC VOTER SURVEYS to get a better feel on the candidates, as well as checking out the remaining debates. Just remember to get out there and bike the vote!

-Zachary Rynew

A Recap of Upcoming Dates for the March 2015 Primary

Posted on by bikethevote

L.A. CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE FORUMS:

1/29: CD4+CD8 Forum (Climate Resolve)
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/la-city-council-candidates-forum-environment-jobs-and-transportation-tickets-15210176046

2/2: CD4 Forum (Los Feliz Improvement Association)
Link: http://www.lfia.com/?p=2557

2/4: CD4 Forum (Hillside Federation)
Link: http://www.hillsidefederation.org/

2/5: CD4 Livable Streets Forum (Streetsblog LA)
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/livable-streets-candidates-forum-tickets-15305080909

2/7: CD14 Forum (Boyle Heights Beat)
Link: http://www.boyleheightsbeat.com/boyle-heights-beat-to-host-l-a-council-district-14-candidates-forum-9303

2/7: CD8 Forum (Empowerment Congress Central Area NDC)
Link: https://www.facebook.com/MyECCANDC/posts/403886386446982

2/8: CD4 Wilshire Corridor Debate (Mid City West NC)
Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1685694031656850/

2/11: CD14 Forum (Downtown Los Angeles NC)
Link: https://eventsrsvp.ucla.edu/CD14_Forum/logon.aspx?NoId=Y

2/11: CD6 Forum (Van Nuys NC)
Link: http://vnnc.org/2015/02/vnnc-general-meeting-agenda-february-11-700pm/

2/12: CD14 Debate (Historic Highland Park NC)
Link: http://staging.highlandparknc.com/site/cd14-town-hall-and-debate/

2/15: CD4 Caucus (Los Feliz NC)
Link: http://www.losfeliznc.org/lfnc-announces-cd4-candidate-caucus-on-february-15th-2015/

2/17: CD4 Forum (Greater Toluca Lake NC)
Link: http://www.gtlnc.org/docs/CD4%20Candidate%20Forum.pdf

2/18: CD14 Debate (Pat Brown Institute)
Link: http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/ppa/publicat/cal-state-la%E2%80%99s-pat-brown-institute-co-host-la-city-council-district-14-debate

2/18: CD4 Forum (Laurel Canyon Association)
Link: https://twitter.com/LCAssoc/status/563885230721757184

2/18: CD8 Forum (Hyde Park Operational Partnership for Empowerment)
Link: http://ow.ly/i/8Ge7h

2/19: CD14 Forum (El Sereno Chamber of Commerce)
Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1375530662763230/

2/22: CD10 Forum (Neighborhood News)
Link: http://theneighborhoodnewsonline.net/news/community/1033-cd10-candidates-forum-feb-22-2015

2/23: CD4 Forum (Beachwood Canyon Neighborhood Association)
Link: http://beachwoodcanyon.org/?p=534

2/24: CD4 Forum (Silver Lake NC)
Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/442148149275424/

2/25: CD14 Forum (The Eagle Rock Association)
Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/346833172175404/

2/25: CD4 Forum (Griffith Park Friendship Auditorium)
Link: http://beverlypress.com/2015/02/candidates-to-debate-issues-prior-to-cd4-primary-election/

2/26: CD4 Debate (East Hollywood Neighborhood Council)
Link: http://beverlypress.com/2015/02/candidates-to-debate-issues-prior-to-cd4-primary-election/

2/28: CD8 Forum (South LA Alliance of Neighborhood Councils)
Link: http://slaanc.nationbuilder.com/the-great-8th

….….…..

2/17: DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE
Link: http://bitly.com/btvregister

3/3: MARCH PRIMARY ELECTION
Link: http://lavote.net/locator

BIKE THE VOTE L.A. VOTER GUIDE – NOVEMBER 2014

Posted on by bikethevote

VOTING INFO:


2014 VOTER GUIDE SLATE CARD:
(see below for summaries)

  • Lt. Governor – Gavin Newsom
  • Secretary of State – Alex Padilla
  • Superintendent of Public Instruction – Tom Torlakson
  • State Treasurer – John Chiang
  • State Senate, District 24 – Kevin de León
  • State Senate, District 30 – Holly Mitchell
  • State Assembly, District 39 – Raul Bocanegra
  • State Assembly, District 43 – Mike Gatto
  • L.A. Country Supervisor, District 3 – Bobby Shriver
  • L.A. Country Sheriff – Jim McDonnell
  • L.A. Country Measure P (Parks) – YES
  • Santa Monica City Council – Pam O’Connor
                                                         Frank Gruber
                                                         Michael Feinstein
  • Santa Monica Measure LC (Airport Local Control) – YES
  • Santa Monica Measure D (Airport Development) – NO WAY
  • Santa Monica Measure H (Affordable Housing) – YES
  • Santa Monica Measure HH (Affordable Housing) – YES


CALIFORNIA STATE RACES:

Lt. Governor: Gavin Newsom

Let’s be honest: the Lieutenant Governor position barely has any authority, and very little that affects active transportation. The Los Angeles Times characterizes it as “a bully pulpit at best, a ceremonial post at worst.” Keeping this in mind, Gavin Newsom is the best choice for the job. Even though Newsom started out as a vociferous opponent of bike lanes while on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in the early 2000s, he came to see the economic benefits of bike lanes as Mayor, and eventually led San Francisco’s transformation into one of the nation’s most bike-friendly big cities. Having someone who “gets it” in a position to steer economic development (and possibly to rise to higher office someday) can only be a good thing.

Secretary of State: Alex Padilla

As a State Senator, Alex Padilla was a consistent “aye” vote for all seven of the bike safety/hit-and-run bills from this past legislative session (although he missed the final vote on the cycle track bill). He’s also a hometown hero from Los Angeles. Again, Secretary of State doesn’t really have much of an impact on road safety, but it helps to have bike-friendly politicians in visible positions that could act as a future springboard, and we still think Padilla deserves our vote.

Superintendent of Public Instruction: Tom Torlakson

Here’s where we get to important offices, because one of the greatest impacts to children’s health is lack of exercise, and guess where it’s mostly missing? Walking and bicycling to school. And why? Parents think it isn’t safe – so they feel obligated to chauffeur their kids to school. Which means more cars on the road near the school making it – you guessed it – unsafe. Tom Torlakson is focused on the health and fitness of schoolchildren, and while he hasn’t yet made moves towards Safe Routes to School programs, we think he has great potential to do so. By the way his, opponent, Marshall Tuck, is a charter school CEO who wants to defund public schools. No thanks, Marshall.

State Treasurer: John Chiang

The Treasurer is the State’s top banker and financier. He/she oversees bond issuance, promotes the State’s credit to Wall Street rating agencies, and manages the State’s investment and debt portfolios. Current State Controller John Chiang, the State’s chief bookkeeper, has the chops to handle this job. The money is important! The State depends on a complex web of financial instruments to ensure an adequate cash flow for all its programs, and many of our much-needed roadway improvements will be financed through bonds. We pick Chiang.

State Senate, District 24: Kevin de León

We were torn in this race and had mixed opinions because both candidates, Senator Kevin de León and challenger Peter Choi, are great supporters of safe streets and bicycling. Peter Choi has been a vocal supporter of the Fig4All campaign, and seems like an altogether great guy that we hope to continue to see making waves in Southern California. On the other hand, de León has proven himself by consistently supporting bicycling at the state level, including all seven road safety bills this past year. Some may look to align de León with City Councilmember ‘One-Term Gil’ Cedillo, but de León’s support occurred at a time when Cedillo professed to be pro-bike lanes and pro-Fig4All. As the new President Pro Tempore – the leader of the California State Senate – de León will be key in moving the next round of pro-safety and anti-hit & run legislation through the Senate, hopefully with the political muscle to move an intransigent Governor. You can’t go wrong with your vote between these two, but we lean toward the incumbent, Kevin de León.

State Senate, District 30: Holly Mitchell

While incumbent Senator Holly Mitchell is mostly known as a defender of the environment and author of anti-fracking bills, she is also someone who gets it on active transportation. Did we mention she backed all seven road safety bills last legislative session? Well she did. She’s also incredibly sharp and very responsive to her local constituents.

State Assembly, District 39: Raul Bocanegra

Assemblyman Bocanegra was a consistent vote for bicycling in the last legislative session. He also sponsored AB 1179, which authorizes the California Tire Recycling Management Fund to authorize grants from funding derived from every purchased (car?) tire for greenways and parklets projects that use recycled tires in disadvantaged communities – encouraging bicycle use and walkability in those communities. More money for public space is always a good thing!

State Assembly, District 43: Mike Gatto

Author of not one but two hit-and-run bills (that got unceremoniously vetoed by a clueless Governor Brown), Assemblyman Mike Gatto may be the strongest safety champion in either house of the Legislature, certainly for Los Angeles County. We must get him re-elected. If you live in Los Feliz, Little Armenia, East Hollywood, northern Silver Lake, Burbank, Glendale, La Crescenta/Montrose, or La Cañada Flintridge, Mike Gatto needs and completely deserves your vote.

 

L.A. COUNTY:

L.A. County Supervisor, District 3: Bobby Shriver

The contrast in the Supervisor District 3 contest could not be more sharp, nor more critical to those of us who would like to get around the County safely by bike. Bobby Shriver, a bicyclist himself and CicLAvia regular, gets that we need safer roads, more bike lanes, and that overly wide travel lanes encourage unsafe speeding to the detriment of all Angelenos. Shriver is a former member of the Santa Monica City Council, a leader among L.A. County cities in promoting bicycling through engineering, education and enforcement. Then there’s his challenger Sheila Kuehl, operating with a windshield mentality and outright communicating that she’s against road safety projects altogether, because she’d rather allow for L.A. drivers to speed. In her interview with Santa Monica Next, she said that she doesn’t understand why transportation funding would be spent on sidewalks. For reals. The County Supervisor position will be a seat on the Metro Board, and we need Bobby Shriver in it.

L.A. County Sheriff: Jim McDonnell

Of all of the candidate surveys returned to LACBC, none was more impressive than Jim McDonnell’s. And thankfully so. Clueless and negligent Sheriff’s Deputies have harassed bicyclists for commuting legally, incorrectly ticketed others, and killed Milt Olin. The department desperately needs a sweeping overhaul, and we’re convinced that Jim McDonnell has grown and learned from his years as Long Beach Police Chief sufficient to lead the County’s law enforcement in the right direction.

L.A. County Measure P, Park Funding: YES

We need funding for L.A. County parks. Backed by all of our favorite non-profits, including LACBC, Measure P will keep funding towards accessible open space for Angelenos: the kind that you can walk and bike to and within.

 

SANTA MONICA:

Santa Monica City Council: Pam O’Connor

In their endorsement, the California Bicycle Coalition called Santa Monica Mayor Pam O’Connor “a powerful leader on sustainability and smart growth in Santa Monica and throughout Southern California.” We could not agree more, and are not the only ones, as she’s also backed by L.A. Mayor Garcetti, L.A. City Councilman Mike Bonin, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, and Assemblyman Richard Bloom. She’s helped lead the way to Santa Monica being one of the only places in the County to comfortably commute by bike. She’s been a powerful voice for livable streets on the Metro Board, at the Southern California Association of Governments, and elsewhere. She’s got the right mindset to keep Santa Monica moving forward and deserves your vote.

Santa Monica City Council: Frank Gruber

A daily bike commuter for over 10 years, a strong advocate for options in transportation, and a former City Planning Commissioner, Frank Gruber is the next strongest candidate in this field of 14, and well deserving of your vote. He’s focused on safe streets and healthy, affordable housing.

Santa Monica City Council: Michael Feinstein

We had a tough time picking our third endorsement among a number of bike-friendly allies, but Michael Feinstein edges out Nick Boles for his experience and long track record of working towards making Santa Monica the great biking city that it is (we love Kevin McKeown & Richard McKinnon for their work on bike lanes, but don’t agree with their take on development). Michael’s a regular rider of Santa Monica’s Critical Mass from the early years, and a longtime defender of bicyclist rights. We know that Michael will continue to do good work for Santa Monica.

Santa Monica Measure LC, Airport Local Control: YES

Bringing local control to the Santa Monica Airport is an important step towards building a more sustainable Santa Monica. Endorsed by Santa Monica Spoke and just about every local neighborhood council, we think this is the right move for the region.

Santa Monica Measure D, Airport Development: NO WAY

Completely deceptive in its language, this aviation lobby-authored measure purports to give residents a voice, but sets an insane threshold for residents to exercise it. Nice try, jerks.

Santa Monica Measures H & HH: YES

Everybody realizes how expensive Santa Monica is, and how housing costs are forcing many out of the area (which has a terrible effect on housing and gentrification across the County). These measures help to fund new affordable housing while protecting existing renters. Endorsed by Santa Monica Spoke.