Phyllis Copeland-Mitchell, Pittsburgh City Council District 9

Website: http://mitchell4citycouncil.org/

1. Do you use a bicycle in the city? If so, for what purposes (commuting, recreation, errands) and how often?

I enjoy riding a bicycle for recreational purposes, but haven’t been able to do so very often. With the recent transit cuts, I do plan on increasing my bike usage in the city for commuting as we fight crime more effectively and more bike safety lanes become available, so that I will be able to conveniently navigate the city along with other bikers and walkers more safely.

2. Have you championed or strongly supported any initiatives that are in line with Bike Pittsburgh’s mission of establishing Pittsburgh as a city that is increasingly safe, accessible, and friendly to bicycle transportation?

I am an advocate for educating bicyclists on head safety, particularly our youth. I also support the current Bike Parking Requirement Ordinance and if elected, I will revisit it to see if we need to mandate more bicycle parking.

3. Given Pittsburgh’s relatively low rate of car ownership and the recent transit cuts, what specific ideas do you have to make active transportation choices like biking and walking more appealing?

The increase in gas prices is negatively affecting our city. The establishment of well-connected walking and bicycling networks is an important component for livable communities, and their design should be a part of Federal-aid project developments to make walking and biking more appealing.

4. What do you think is the number one risk to walkers and bicyclists both in your district and the city as a whole?

CRIME!

What have you done/will you do as an elected official to remedy it?

GUNS MUST GET OFF THE STREETS! I have been advocating and am committed to vigorous prosecution of illegal gun possession & use; Support neighborhood crime watches, public surveillance cameras at crime hot spots, better lighting and police foot patrol. If elected, I will launch a major, sustainable initiative against neighborhood blight and criminal activity brought about by the many vacant and abandoned properties that stretch across the 9th council district. Many times these criminals hide in these houses before and after committing crimes on walkers and bikers.

5. Do you believe safe biking and walking infrastructure enhance a community’s quality of life? (yes or no)

Most definitely!

6. Do you believe biking and walking are worth investing in as a city? (yes or no)

Yes

7. In what ways can enhanced bicycling and walking facilities and opportunities benefit your district and the city as a whole?

Walking and bicycling promote safer, more livable, family-friendly communities; physical activity and health, and decreases vehicle emissions and fuel use.

8. Do you/Would you work to get more bike/ped safety projects underway in your district? If so, what is/would be your focus?

Yes, I am very interested in educating my district on brain injury due to no or improper use of a helmet. I will continue to work in my community and with the Brain Injury Association of America to raise awareness, and understanding of brain injury through advocacy and education.

Friends of Phyllis Copeland-Mitchell PO Box 24023 Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412-661-6679 www.Mitchell4CityCouncil.org

9. There were a number of violent attacks on bicyclists in District 9 over the past year and a half. Many bicyclists fear riding in on certain streets in your district for this reason. If re-elected how would you assuage their fears?

First of all, I would like to apology to all of those bikers who became victims of violent attacks in my district. I am committed to vigorous prosecution for those who commit violent attacks on bikers and walkers. I support public surveillance cameras in crime hot-spots, neighborhood crime watches, and police foot patrol to reduce crime and the fear of crime and I plan to launch a major, SUSTAINABLE initiative against neighborhood blight & criminal activity brought about by the many vacant & abandoned properties that stretch across the 9th council district.

10. Do you have a bicycling story you would like to share with our constituents?

No

Back to the 2011 Bike the Vote Main page