Bike the Vote 2007!

The primary is Tuesday, May 15th. Mark your Calendars!

Bike Pittsburgh is once again making cycling a political issue this primary election. We sent a questionnaire to all the candidates in order to gauge their interest in helping make Pittsburgh a bicycle friendly city. Please click on their names below to view their responses. Candidates not linked have not returned questionnaires. If you would like to know why any candidates did not respond, please feel free to contact their offices or campaign headquarters. We were hoping to get responses from more candidates in District 1 and District 9, however, Bike Pittsburgh sincerely thanks every candidate who answered our questions.

note: as a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit we are unable to endorse any political candidates. Our job is to educate so that you can make the most informed choice at the polls.

Citywide:

Controller:
The Controller’s Office’s mission is to assure that City residents receive the best products and services for their tax dollars, and to maintain a high level of professional financial standards for the City’s employees. The Controller inspects all goods and services received by the City, conducts performance and fiscal audits of City departments and authorities, and compiles financial data to assess the City’s current and future fiscal condition.

Mike Dawida »
Michael Lamb »
Damon Macklin »
Tony Pokora »
Doug Shields »

City Council Districts:

City Council is the legislative branch of government. It carries out duties in accordance with the Home Rule Charter and the laws of the state, and is primarily responsible for making laws which govern the City of Pittsburgh. City Council proposes, debates, and votes on legislation governing and/or affecting the city. [map of the districts]

*denotes incumbent
_______
District 1
Brighton Heights, East Allegheny, Fineview, Marshall-Shadeland, Northview Heights, Observatory Hill, Perry Hilltop, Riverview Park, Spring Garden, Spring Hill-Cityview, Summer Hill and Troy Hill

Valarie Coleman »

Darlene Harris* »

Robin Rosemary Miller »

_______
District 3
Allentown, Arlington, Arlington Hts., Beltzhoover, Carrick, Central Oakland, Knoxville, Mt. Oliver, St.Clair, South Side Flats, South Side Slopes

Jeffrey Koch* »
Bruce Kraus »

_______
District 5
Glen Hazel, Greenwood, Hays, Hazelwood, Lincoln Place, Point Breeze, Regent Square, Squirrel Hill South and North, Swisshelm Park

Doug Shields* »

_______
District 7
Bloomfield, East Liberty, Friendship, Garfield, Highland Park, Lawrenceville, Morningside, Polish Hill, and Stanton Heights

Len Bodack* »
Patrick Dowd »

_______
District 9
East Liberty, Homewood, East Hills, parts of Garfield, Lincoln Lemington, Larimer, Belmar Gardens, parts of North Point Breeze, and parts of Friendship

William Anderson »

Rev. Ricky Burgess »

Twanda Carlisle* »

Ora Lee Carroll »

Judith Ginyard »
Leah Kirkland »

Eric Smith »

Randall Tayor »

_____________________________

Controller

Mike Dawida (for Controller)

Bicycling is a healthy, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way to navigate the city. Pittsburgh, a city concerned with poor air quality and an unstable public transit system needs to be especially aware of the benefits that safe streets can offer. Cycling in Pittsburgh is on the upswing, as evidenced in the last year and a half by four new shops opening and two existing shops expanding to meet the demand. With the looming Port Authority cuts, we will soon see a surge in bicycle commuting.

Furthermore, in 2008, the Great Allegheny Passage will finally be connected to Pittsburgh, and, similar to what Cumberland, MD (a midpoint on this trail that connects to Washington DC) has already done, the City will need to accommodate this influx of bicycle tourists who want to explore and spend money in our wonderful city.

Please take a few minutes to answer a few questions on bike policy, and contact us if you have any questions about these issues.

1. Published in June 1999, the City of Pittsburgh Bicycle Plan (available for download from the city website) recommends ten objectives towards meeting Pittsburgh ‘s cycling needs, including:
– hiring a bicycle coordinator, responsible for implementing the Bike Plan
– creating a citywide bicycle route network
– improving the safety and accessibility of bridge crossings

Unfortunately, this plan has not been implemented yet. How do you propose moving forward with this plan?

The City Controller must help find the resources to implement this plan. I have the ability to reach Harrisburg , Washington DC , and the foundation community in this regard.

2. Which of the following Bicycle and Pedestrian improvements would you support funding in the city budget? (check all the apply)

_X_ Hiring a Bicycle Coordinator
_X_ Installing bike route signs
_X_ Purchasing and installing bike racks
_X_ Installing on-street facilities like bike lanes and highly visible crosswalks
_X_ Traffic Calming Measures
_X_ Other – Provide safety helmets to children as I have at Concord Elementary School.

3. What are your ideas on making Pittsburgh ‘s streets safer for all users?

Analyze ways to make Pittsburgh more walkable such as sidewalk repair, lighting, and accessibility. I would request PennDOT be more active in providing funding for paving and road repair, and traffic signal and flow management.

4. What can the City do to actively encourage and support more people to ride bicycles more often?

Greater support for multi-modal transportation including bus racks, “Bike Only” lanes on major transportation routes, and incentives for employers to encourage bike riding to work.

5. Please describe your experience riding a bike, either for transportation or recreation.

My family rides bikes for transportation and recreation. I strongly supported the region wide bicycle paths which now are a great recreational asset. Additionally the City bike paths do make local housing more attractive.

6. What improvements would make it more likely for you to consider biking as a transportation option in your life?

Safety is the primary concern when riding a bike. Increasing the awareness to drivers everywhere about sharing the road with bicyclists is needed. More signs and bikeways would increase safety for all.

Michael Lamb (for Controller)

Unfortunately, this plan has not been implemented yet. How do you propose moving forward with this plan?

As City Controller I will make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on how to move forward and implement this plan.

2. Which of the following Bicycle and Pedestrian improvements would you support funding in the city budget? (check all that apply)

_X_ Hiring a Bicycle Coordinator
_X_ Installing bike rout signs
_X_ Purchasing and installing bike racks
_X_ Installing on-street facilities like bike lanes and highly visible crosswalks
_X_ Traffic calming measuresPittsburgh will remain under Act 47 and the Oversight Committee for the next few years. As City Controller I would support all of the above improvements if the city’s fiscal situation permits.

3. What are your ideas on making Pittsburgh’s streets safer for all users?

As City Controller I will make recommendations on improving crosswalks, traffic signals and installing bike lanes. Pittsburgh has some bike lanes, but not enough.

While the role of the Controller may be focused on the city’s financial health, I plan to be vocal on issues regarding our citizen’s general health.

4. What can the City do to actively encourage and support more people to ride bicycles more often?

I think we can begin in the city schools. We can encourage schools to have bike riding as an activity in gym class and we can encourage children to bike ride outside of school as well. As a member of the board of the YMCA I have been supportive of the “Activate Pittsburgh” initiative that seeks to add greater opportunities for exercise in both young and old and biking can be a big part of that. I am currently working on a Bike Event in my neighborhood of Mount Washington. We are planning a bike tour of our neighborhood parks.

5. Please describe your experience riding a bike, either for transportation or recreation.

I haven’t been biking that much in recent years, but occasionally bike as a form of recreation and exercise. I can remember as a child and teenager, riding my bike in what is arguably the most difficult biking neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Beechview. With the hills, the streetcar tracks and the cobblestones, I learned to ride on some very tough terrain. I have biked the trail at Ohiopile and recognize the important economic development opportunities that dedicated trails can create. Unfortunately, because I often need a car during the workday, it is not practical for me to commute on bike.

6. What improvements would make it more likely for you to consider biking as a transportation option in your life?

I would not use biking as a form of transportation. But I would consider biking for recreation if we were able to install more bike lanes across the city. As Controller, I will be an advocate for more bike lanes.

Damon Macklin (for Controller)

1. Published in June 1999, the City of Pittsburgh Bicycle Plan (available for download from the city website) recommends ten objectives towards meeting Pittsburgh’s cycling needs, including:
– hiring a bicycle coordinator, responsible for implementing the Bike Plan
– creating a citywide bicycle route network
– improving the safety and accessibility of bridge crossings

Unfortunately, this plan has not been implemented yet. How do you propose moving forward with this plan?

I would review the past expenditures to determine how funds have been allocated to implement this plan, thus far. Then, I would determine which external resources were available to partner with to maximize our resources to get this plan implemented.

2. Which of the following Bicycle and Pedestrian improvements would you support funding in the city budget? (check all the apply)

_X__ Hiring a Bicycle Coordinator
_X__ Installing bike route signs
_X__ Purchasing and installing bike racks
_X__ Installing on-street facilities like bike lanes
and highly visible crosswalks
_X_ Traffic Calming Measures
_X_ Other _________________________________

3. What are your ideas on making Pittsburgh’s streets safer for all users?

An awareness campaign to promote to road sharing needs to be executed; all people need to learn to respect the road as a public entity and community of status. Moreover, there is a chance to reeducate people of the responsibility to maintain and expand our roads through tax dollars.

4. What can the City do to actively encourage and support more people to ride bicycles more often?

A great initiative would be to encourage the university population to ride bikes, and provide them with a safe environment to ride those bikes. Also you can promote all the health benefits you receive from riding bikes.

5. Please describe your experience riding a bike, either for transportation or recreation.

I rode a bike alot when I was training for football in college. Riding kept my legs strong and my endurance up so I was able to go that extra mile in the fourth quarter of games. When others got tired I kept going strong.

6. What improvements would make it more likely for you to consider biking as a transportation option in your life?

Well to be honest in order for me to ride a bike to work there would need to be showers at my job because I couldn’t be all hot and sweaty at the start of my workday. But if my job had showers it would be a serious option with the price of gas nowdays.

Tony Pokora (for Controller)

Unfortunately, this plan has not been implemented yet. How do you propose moving forward with this plan?

Implement COP Bicycle Plan: I agree in the main with the objectives. I believe that the Bicycling Plan should be put into effect, to the extent allowed by City finances & the Oversight Board, and that a Bicycling Coordinator would be a good fit for the Department of Recreation. I also feel that this is another issue that we’ve studied to death. It’s time to take steps towards becoming a more bike friendly town.

2. Which of the following Bicycle and Pedestrian improvements would you support funding in the city budget? (check all the apply)

Funding Improvements: I would fund a Bicycling Coordinator for the Recreation Department to set things in motion & provide accountability. I would try to fund the other items on the agenda through a combination of City & public monies, grants, and private partnering. I think a good start is to identify & provide bike lanes, with the proper signage & enforcement. The City can lead the way with more racks around public buildings, and that would hopefully push more private buildings providing racks. We can’t change the culture overnight, but can build towards a critical mass.

3. What are your ideas on making Pittsburgh’s streets safer for all users?

Safer Streets: Besides design, which we must utilize for pedestrian, vehicular, and bike safety, education is the key. The more common it becomes for bikes to share the road with vehicles, the more common acceptance of common road courtesies should become to both riders and drivers. Enforcement of applicable road law goes without saying.

4. What can the City do to actively encourage and support more people to ride bicycles more often?

City Encouragement: Providing convenient access & safe road conditions @ I would like to see more street feeders into the local & regional trail systems, both for the sake of access & safety @ is the best way the City can provide encouragement to bikers.

5. Please describe your experience riding a bike, either for transportation or recreation?

Experience: I’m a recreational rider, along with my children.

6. What improvements would make it more likely for you to consider biking as a transportation option in your life?

Transportation Option: Once bike access becomes convenient and safe, I believe biking will become a much more popular transportation mode. City demographics @ we are, believe it or not, becoming younger @ oil dependency & the high cost of operating vehicles, sustainability, fitness, and more will lead people to their bikes when they see it as a true option to moving about in the City.

Doug Shields (for Controller and Council District 5)

1. Published in June 1999, the City of Pittsburgh Bicycle Plan (available for download from the city
website) recommends ten objectives towards meeting Pittsburgh’s cycling needs, including:
– hiring a bicycle coordinator, responsible for implementing the Bike Plan
– creating a citywide bicycle route network
– improving the safety and accessibility of bridge crossings
Unfortunately, this plan has not been implemented yet. How do you propose moving forward with this plan?

Pittsburgh in 2007 is in a far different situation than it was in 1999 when the City of Pittsburgh Bicycle Plan was drafted. We are now under the oversight of two state boards @ the Act 47 Recovery Team and the ICA. Like many worthwhile projects put on the table prior to the city’s bankruptcy, bringing these ideas forth now requires taking a fresh look and then crafting a plan taking our new circumstances into consideration. Only then can we look toward getting appropriate approvals.

2. Which of the following Bicycle and Pedestrian improvements would you support funding in the city budget? (check all the apply)

___ Hiring a Bicycle Coordinator
___ Installing bike route signs
___ Purchasing and installing bike racks
___ Installing on-street facilities like bike lanes
and highly visible crosswalks
___ Traffic Calming Measures
___ OtherAll of the measures stated above could improve the quality of life of life for all Pittsburghers as well as enhance the safety and enjoyment of bicycle riders. A sensible and achievable Bicycle Plan would contribute a great deal to the city’s reputation as a vital and vibrant place to live, and work Keeping young people here and attracting new workers is consistent with one of the priorities I see as the Controller’s job @ find innovative ways to achieve long term fiscal benefits.

3. What are your ideas on making Pittsburgh’s streets safer for all users?

It is essential to include bicycles as part of a compressive transportation plan. We can no longer afford the luxury of looking at transportation in a fragmentized way — one road here, one bicycle lane there, etc. etc. Only when we consider all users (of our roads) equal can we begin to make our streets safer for all.

4. What can the City do to actively encourage and support more people to ride bicycles more often?

As part of any comprehensive plan, safety should be a primary concern taken into account. When this requirement has been met, we can actively spread the word and encourage more frequent use of bicycles.

5. Please describe your experience riding a bike, either for transportation or recreation?

My personal bicycle riding is limited to recreation. In my current position, I often must go to many places all over the city in the course of a single day so that riding a bike would not be feasible or practical.

6. What improvements would make it more likely for you to consider biking as a transportation option in your life?

Making sure that bike lanes and measures that guarantee safety are included in any plan.

_____________________________

District 1

Brighton Heights, East Allegheny, Fineview, Marshall-Shadeland, Northview Heights, Observatory Hill, Perry Hilltop, Riverview Park, Spring Garden, Spring Hill-Cityview, Summer Hill and Troy Hill

Robin Rosemary Miller (Council District 1)

Unfortunately, this plan has not been implemented yet. How do you propose moving forward with this plan?

From conversations that I have had with members in County Council, there is a plan to develop bike trails along the river front that would connect many of the City’s neighborhoods.

As far as implementing the plan, I think we need to look to some of our local corporations to fund some of these projects. We have American Eagle Outfitters headquartered in the city, Dick’s Sporting Goods and several other large companies that should be approached about adopting this program. I think more people would bike around if the street were safer.

2. Which of the following Bicycle and Pedestrian improvements would you support funding in the city budget? (check all the apply)

All would apply if the city can find alternative funding sources to support these efforts.
_X_ Hiring a Bicycle Coordinator
_X_ Installing bike route signs
_X_ Purchasing and installing bike racks
_X_ Installing on-street facilities like bike lanes and highly visible crosswalks
_X_ Traffic Calming Measures
___ Other _________________________________

3. What are your ideas on making Pittsburgh’s streets safer for all users?

We really need to have people educated about bicycle safety, both riders and motorists. Riding through the city can be quite dangerous. Developing specific bike routes and bike lanes would make the most sense.

4. What can the City do to actively encourage and support more people to ride bicycles more often?

Creating family friendly activities that would promote bike riding and use of existing trails. This could fold into programs that are being developed for healthier lifestyle choices. We could get someone like HighMark or Allegheny General to promote as part as improving quality of life through exercise.

5. Please describe your experience riding a bike, either for transportation or recreation.

I have ridden bikes mostly on park trails. Although, I did take a lovely ride throught Ojai California on a bike. They had designated bike trails through their small town.

6. What improvements would make it more likely for you to consider biking as a transportation option in your life?

I see biking that would still just be something that I would do recreationally.

_____________________________

District 3

Allentown, Arlington, Arlington Hts., Beltzhoover, Carrick, Central Oakland, Knoxville, Mt. Oliver, St.Clair, South Side Flats, South Side Slopes

Jeffrey Koch (Council District 3)

Unfortunately, this plan has not been implemented yet. How do you propose moving forward with this plan?

No answer

2. Which of the following Bicycle and Pedestrian improvements would you support funding in the city budget? (check all the apply)

___ Hiring a Bicycle Coordinator
_X_ Installing bike route signs
_X_ Purchasing and installing bike racks
_X_ Installing on-street facilities like bike lanes and highly visible crosswalks
___ Traffic Calming Measures
_X_ Other _Print and designate bike lanes where the width of the street makes it possible

3. What are your ideas on making Pittsburgh’s streets safer for all users?

Place share the road signs around the city and implement the items listed in item 2

4. What can the City do to actively encourage and support more people to ride bicycles more often?

Work to create safer streets for the recreational and commuting cyclist.

5. Please describe your experience riding a bike, either for transportation or recreation.

It has been a few years but I used to ride from Arlington to South Park for recreation.

6. What improvements would make it more likely for you to consider biking as a transportation option in your life?

Considering the demands on my time and the hills in my district it wouldn’t be practical for me to use a bike for transportation unless we could get rid of the hills.

Bruce Kraus (Council District 3)

Unfortunately, this plan has not been implemented yet. How do you propose moving forward with this plan?

I would like to see the resources that the city has available to implement this plan when I take office. I think that bike friendly streets are one way that Pittsburgh can appeal to young people, which is something that this aging city absolutely has to do. I would be willing and able to sit down with members of bike Pittsburgh to talk about possible strategies for the implementation of this plan.

2. Which of the following Bicycle and Pedestrian improvements would you support funding in the city budget? (check all the apply)

_?_ Hiring a Bicycle Coordinator- I believe that hiring a bicycle coordinator is a good idea to help implement some of the measures outlined in the bicycle plan but I would have to consider budgetary restraints. So it is difficult for me to commit to hiring anyone in a new administration, but in time it is certainly something that I would be willing to discuss and ultimately bring before council when the time is right.
_X_ Installing bike route signs
_X_ Purchasing and installing bike racks
_X_ Installing on-street facilities like bike lanes
and highly visible crosswalks
_X_ Traffic Calming Measures
___ Other

3. What are your ideas on making Pittsburgh’s streets safer for all users?

I believe that the plan stated above in question one is already a very good start in making streets safer for bicyclists, I think the most important thing is to find the time, the resources, and the money to get that plan off the ground and beginning to implement it city wide.

4. What can the City do to actively encourage and support more people to ride bicycles more often?

I think that safety is the most important issue to address in encouraging people to ride bikes, certainly in my district. The streets of my neighborhood are congested with cars, parking, and pedestrians and it’s truly not a bike friendly area aside from the trail along the river.

5. Please describe your experience riding a bike, either for transportation or recreation.

I have not had a bike in years but I definitely think it is a fantastic option for transportation in the city for those who are inclined.

6. What improvements would make it more likely for you to consider biking as a transportation option in your life?

More bike specific trails around the city, and bike lanes on city streets. Please note that while I think that would make biking a more feasible and safe mode of transportation within the city. Budgetary concerns are the primary factor in this city though, and those would have to be looked at when I get in to office.

_____________________________

District 5

Glen Hazel, Greenwood, Hays, Hazelwood, Lincoln Place, Point Breeze, Regent Square, Squirrel Hill South and North, Swisshelm Park

Doug Shields (for Controller and Council District 5)

see answers above

_____________________________

District 7

Bloomfield, East Liberty, Friendship, Garfield, Highland Park, Lawrenceville, Morningside, Polish Hill, and Stanton Heights

Len Bodack (Council District 7)

Unfortunately, this plan has not been implemented yet. How do you propose moving forward with this plan?

No answer

2. Which of the following Bicycle and Pedestrian improvements would you support funding in the city budget? (check all the apply)

___ Hiring a Bicycle Coordinator
_X_ Installing bike route signs
_X_ Purchasing and installing bike racks
_X_ Installing on-street facilities like bike lanes where feasible and highly visible crosswalks
_X_ Traffic Calming Measures
_X_ Other – I have advocated and voted for bike lanes on Liberty Avenue. Currently, I am working on a traffic calming plan for the Strip District with Neighbors In The Strip!

3. What are your ideas on making Pittsburgh’s streets safer for all users?

Review other cities’ solutions and implement where practical in Pittsburgh, implement traffic calming plans in high traffic areas, along with bike lanes where feasible.

4. What can the City do to actively encourage and support more people to ride bicycles more often?

Work towards creating a more friendly environment on city streets.

5. Please describe your experience riding a bike, either for transportation or recreation.

For recreation/vacation use, my family and I travel in an RV and take our bikes along in a trailer. We have biked in South Carolina and Florida. We use them for sight seeing and transportation on vacation.

6. What improvements would make it more likely for you to consider biking as a transportation option in your life?

My work schedule rarely permits because I must always be on call and available to travel citywide for meetings; and, as Public Safety Chair for Council, I must arrive on scene and respond quickly.

Patrick Dowd (Council District 7)

Unfortunately, this plan has not been implemented yet. How do you propose moving forward with this plan?

I think the best way to move forward is to actually hire the coordinator @ this position could be funded by outside foundations if necessary and later by the City on a performance based contract. Cycling in the city involves thorough investigation and knowledge of transit issues, safety issues, public health issues, and urban planning. A coordinator’s first role, in my opinion, would be to collect data about bicycle use in the City so that the City’s involvement in cycling is reasonable, comprehensive, and organic with preexisting patterns of behavior and rider demands.

2. Which of the following Bicycle and Pedestrian improvements would you support funding in the city budget? (check all the apply)

_X_ Hiring a Bicycle Coordinator
_X_ Installing bike route signs
_X_ Purchasing and installing bike racks
_X_ Installing on-street facilities like bike lanes where feasible and highly visible crosswalks
_X_ Traffic Calming Measures
_X_ Other – Bicycle Maps

3. What are your ideas on making Pittsburgh’s streets safer for all users?

It is worth considering some of the following ideas:
– Move car lanes to the center line to leave room for bicycles along the side
– Rounded curbs
– Roadway Narrowings
– Raised Intersections
– Speeding can be inhibited by increasing turns and reducing motorists’ sight lines
– Dedicated space for bikes on busway and other such routes might also be helpful.

4. What can the City do to actively encourage and support more people to ride bicycles more often?

– Install bike racks
– Complete bike paths across the city
– Incentivize bike riding to work in warm weather
– Sponsor public cycling events

5. Please describe your experience riding a bike, either for transportation or recreation.

I have cycled all over Pittsburgh since I first came here as a student in 1991. Now that I have kids I am even more interested in safety issues for cyclists. We bike along the river all the time, but to get there are forced to use routes that are not necessarily safe for bikers the whole time.

6. What improvements would make it more likely for you to consider biking as a transportation option in your life?

Continuous bike lanes to my place of work. It’s difficult, though, because I have to take kids to day care.

_____________________________

District 9

East Liberty, Homewood, East Hills, parts of Garfield, Lincoln Lemington, Larimer, Belmar Gardens, parts of North Point Breeze, and parts of Friendship

William Anderson (Council District 9)

Unfortunately, this plan has not been implemented yet. How do you propose moving forward with this plan?

People who cycle are very serious about their sport. It would be most beneficial to this group to employ someone who is passionate about the sport and knows the safety and dynamics of the city.

2. Which of the following Bicycle and Pedestrian improvements would you support funding in the city budget? (check all the apply)

_X_ Hiring a Bicycle Coordinator
_X_ Installing bike route signs
___ Purchasing and installing bike racks
_X_ Installing on-street facilities like bike lanes
and highly visible crosswalks
___ Traffic Calming Measures
___ Other _________________________________

3. What are your ideas on making Pittsburgh’s streets safer for all users?

Creating biker friendly signs and trail marks that reduce the possibility of traffic accidents and pedestrian accidents as they relate to bikers.

Creating designated lanes that bikers can use during their travels throughout the city.

Imposing fines to those who violate the designated areas of traffic

4. What can the City do to actively encourage and support more people to ride bicycles more often?

The City of Pittsburgh can promote cycling opportunities expecially for families and youth. WPH is working on a project to promote cyclers to utilize the various hills within the communities in contest as a healthy family project.

5. Please describe your experience riding a bike, either for transportation or recreation.

As a youth and even well into my adult hood, biking was my primary source of transportation. My friends in I used biking as a way to travel from one section of Pittsburgh to the other.

6. What improvements would make it more likely for you to consider biking as a transportation option in your life?

Paved streets and bike trails

Judith Ginyard (Council District 9)

Unfortunately, this plan has not been implemented yet. How do you propose moving forward with this plan?

To implement the plan, I would enlist the assistance of the City Planning Department who could promote the plan to the neighborhoods and procure the help of neighborhood community groups and residents. By working together, each neighborhood could link bike routes that would create a citywide network. Taking this the Bike Plan to the communities would give this city an opportunity to collectively work on an initiative that benefits the whole City as well as the environment.

2. Which of the following Bicycle and Pedestrian improvements would you support funding in the city budget? (Check all the apply)

___ Hiring a Bicycle Coordinator
_X_ Installing bike route signs
___ Purchasing and installing bike racks
_X_ Installing on-street facilities like bike lanes and highly visible crosswalks
_X_ Traffic Calming Measures
___ Other _________________________________Although, I think it would be an excellent idea to hire a bicycle coordinator to implement the Bike Pittsburgh Plan, the current fiscal condition of the city may not allow for such expenditure. I think that installing bike routes, on-street facilities like bike lanes and highly visible crosswalks and implementing traffic calming measures would increase the awareness of cyclist while allowing the general public to become commuter @friendly with cyclist.

3. What are your ideas on making Pittsburgh’s streets safer for all users?

Where possible, dedicated bike lanes for cyclist. Improved traffic signage and education on bike safety from the cyclist point of view would make the city streets safer for all users. Too often we look at issues from only one side, by examining this issue from the cyclist perspective; we create an opportunity to make the city transportation system more user-friendly for all commuters.

4. What can the City do to actively encourage and support more people to ride bicycles more often?

The City could offer incentives, such as designated leased bike parking spaces or bike parking lot to cyclist who commute to work. In addition, the city could provide education awareness programs to its resident on how cycling can be more environmentally friendly while providing an enjoyable alternative to transportation methods.

5. Please describe your experience riding a bike, either for transportation or recreation.

As a child I did not have the opportunity to even own a bicycle; therefore my exposure to bikes have been very limited. Years ago, I have attempted to go bike riding with my young children; however they would get frustrated riding with me and leave me behind to walk the bike. As an adult, I eventually learned how to minimally ride a bike. My significant other is an avid cyclist and has taken me out with him, on occasion, to the bike trails in an attempt to perfect my skills.

6. What improvements would make it more likely for you to consider biking as a transportation option in your life?

Personally, learning how to ride better and overcoming my fear of bike riding in traffic would be two personal improvements for me to consider biking as a transportation option. I must honestly admit that some people walk better than they ride a bike and I am definitely one of those persons.

Leah Kirkland (Council District 9)

1. Published in June 1999, the City of Pittsburgh Bicycle Plan (available for download from the city
website) recommends ten objectives towards meeting Pittsburgh’s cycling needs, including:
– hiring a bicycle coordinator, responsible for implementing the Bike Plan
– creating a citywide bicycle route network
– improving the safety and accessibility of bridge crossings

Unfortunately, this plan has not been implemented yet. How do you propose moving forward with this plan?

I will request that the City review and implement the bicycle plan as an emergency plan, affordable transportation for many working men and women and as an alternative to saving lives.

2. Which of the following Bicycle and Pedestrian improvements would you support funding in the city budget? (check all the apply)

_X_ Hiring a Bicycle Coordinator
_X_ Installing bike route signs
_X_ Purchasing and installing bike racks
_X_ Installing on-street facilities like bike lanes
and highly visible crosswalks
_X_ Traffic Calming Measures
_X_ Other _Public Awareness Campaigns that target motorists and promotes bicyclist/motorist friendliness

3. What are your ideas on making Pittsburgh’s streets safer for all users?

Infrastructure investments for better street design, traffic calming measures and better vehicle code enforcement.

4. What can the City do to actively encourage and support more people to ride bicycles more often?

Develop an action plan for implementing the Bicycle Plan to fund more resources that assures bicyclists safety.

5. Please describe your experience riding a bike, either for transportation or recreation.

I stopped riding my bike as a form of transportation because of the lack of respect from motorists who don’t want to share the road. I was in fair [sic] of my life.

6. What improvements would make it more likely for you to consider biking as a transportation option in your life?

Enforcement of vehicle codes and installing bicycle lanes.