District 1: Randy Zotter responds to BikePGH Candidate Survey
District 1 Council Candidate Randy Zotter
Twitter: @rzotter
1. Do you use a bicycle (or walk) in the city? If so, for what purposes (commuting, recreation, errands, exercise) and how often? Do you have any favorite places to ride or walk?
I rode my bike when we bought our house back in 1982. I stopped riding for safety concerns. Back then it was very different. Nowadays, I walk for recreational reasons or to travel Downtown.
2. What roles do you think city council can play in making cities safe, accessible and friendly for biking and/or walking?
The first two items are for City Council to listen and learn. As biking and “Complete Streets” play a bigger part in the design of the urban environment, we as elected officials must be open to new concepts that will help to grow and foster a City where people will want to live and work.
3. How can improved biking and/or walking benefit your district? Are there any specific projects that you would like to see accomplished or are in the works that you’re excited about?
Biking and walking would improve the health of the district and enhance a sense of community. It would also help to prevent crimes due to the additional eyes on the street. This visibility would help the neighborhood deal with a continuing nuisance bar situation.
I would work to continue the trail from the Casino, up to McClure Ave to Woods Run and on into Riverview View Park. A high volume of people riding, along with pedestrians, creates visibility and brings businesses. Put in a couple of corrals at Brighton and Woods Run, and watch bike related and auxiliary business develop.
4. In your district, what particular problem spots for pedestrians and/or people on bikes that you’d like to see addressed?
There are numerous locations that lack proper signage, flashing lights and clearly painted- crosswalks:
• Multi-point locations such as California and Termon to high-volume locations such as Federal and North
• Many locations with crosswalk signals often give insufficient time for pedestrians to cross
• Another area of particular concern, are locations in and around Allegheny Community College
• People coming from the T-station follow patterns that differ from the designated crosswalks.
5. Do you have any ideas on how the city can better maintain, fund, and fix our public steps, an important piece of our pedestrian infrastructure?
In the past, grants have been found with the Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund and the Elm Street programs. Businesses such as Duquesne Light have contributed money for repairs and restoration – I would seek to increase corporate funding and sponsorship and look at the possibility of fundraising campaigns that incorporate an event on the steps.
It is estimated there are over 700 city steps, a huge number. I would look into the designation of selected steps for Historic status which would prohibit their condemnation and put them into a new category for possible funding.
6. Aggressive and drunk driving seem to be problematic throughout the city. What steps can Council take or advocate for to address these life-threatening issues?
There are many ideas for making it safer. But first, we must get people to understand that the roads are not just for cars and trucks. If our designers start to incorporate the “Complete Street” concept, we will be on our way. We must begin with, and accept the concept, that engineering, education and enforcement are a top priority. In-pavement LED lights, reflective tape, poles, zebra markings and flags are just a few ideas for improving crosswalks.
Drunk driving is a very complicated issue that has affected thousands of lives across the country. By partnering with drunk driving awareness organizations and by increasing education and enforcement we can help decrease the damage it causes.
7. In conclusion, why do you think people, who care about issues involving biking, walking, and the built environment, should vote for you?
When we bought our home on the Northside, I rode my bike. I stopped, because I did not want to become a statistic. When Mayor Peduto continued to build bike lanes, then closed off part of Penn Ave, my excitement returned. Being able to once again, “get the bike out of the basement” became a reality. That “excitement” is why you should want me as your City Councilmen. I have a 33 year documented history of volunteering, 1000’s of hours of community meetings, helping the various efforts of community groups and organizations, to achieve their goals. Not as a politician, but as someone just like you. If you go on the City of Pittsburgh web site, you find this: http://www.pittsburghpa.gov/police/nuisance-bar-task-force-home
The Nuisance Bar Task Force was organized by the Pittsburgh Neighborhood Alliance (PNA) in 1986. I was the President of PNA, a coalition of nearly 70 community groups. I took a concept and grew it into what you see today. Police, zoning, building inspection, the DA’s office, the LCB and neighborhood groups, all working together for one purpose, dealing with nuisance bars. This program is still in existence, with continuing success, after nearly 30 years. That drive, that energy, that creative thinking is what I will bring to City Council. And that is why you should vote for me.
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