We would never suggest that citizens base their
decisions on who to vote for on just one issue, like
transportation. But we do believe that citizens should
consider a candidate's position on specific issues in
forming their overall picture of the candidate. It is in
that spirit that we offer the following endorsements.
Place 1: Steve
Adams
Let's start with the bad news: Adams won't
support simple things like getting cars out of bike
lanes, increasing the Bike Program budget, or allowing
City employees to "cash in" their parking spaces by
getting to work by some method other than driving. But he
opposes the CAMPO road bonds, which is important because
more mindless road-building simply increases sprawl,
congestion, and pollution without aiding local
transportation in any meaningful way -- not to mention
that if the energy crisis many are predicting actually
materializes then citizens will be left holding the bag
of debt for a bunch of worthless roads. Adams would also
move to repeal the helmet law for kids, believing (as we
do) that it's the job of parents to make sure that kids
wear helmets, not the police. This is a brave position
considering how eagerly the citizenry supports
legislation to protect us from ourselves, especially when
children are involved. We wish Adams would support some
of the other items we asked about, but we'll take what we
can get.
Place 3: Margot
Clarke
Clarke was the only Place 3 candidate to respond
to our survey. Apparently the other Place 3 candidates
aren't that concerned about transportation issues, or at
least communicating their transportation positions to the
people who will decide whether to vote for them. Anyway,
Clarke took six of the nine positions we hoped she would
take, including supporting a ban of car parking in bike
lanes, an increase in the Bike Program budget, reform of
CAMPO, opposing CAMPO's road bonds, and allowing City
employees to cash in their parking spaces. We're
disappointed that Clarke wouldn't repeal the helmet law
but that's a difficult proposition for mainstream
candidates to support in today's political climate.
As for her opponents, Mandy Dealey's website makes
little mention of transportation issues beyond opposing
the effort to toll existing roads. Jennifer Kim's website
goes a little further, supporting carpool lanes and
updating the City's zoning policies to allow for
higher-density, mixed-use development, but we would have
had to see more from her to endorse her, especially since
she didn't answer our survey. Gregg Knaupe talks a good
talk about writing a bold plan to address transportation
issues, but is short on any specifics in the here and
now.
Place 4: Jennifer
Gale
While Gale's answers to our questions were
admittedly a little incoherent, her heart is obviously in
the right place. She's the only candidate in any
race who took all ten of the positions we asked about. If
elected, Gale could easily be the strongest advocate for
non-car transportation to ever sit on the dais. Certainly
Gale's main opponent, incumbent Betty Dunkerly, has done
squat for transportation in general, and bicyclists
specifically, in her tenure on the council (besides the
transit-oriented-development proposal, which was easy to
support). Dunkerly has had her chance and didn't deliver.
We believe Gale would do better.
Candidates'
Answers to our Questions
Place 1
|
Helmet
Ordinance
Vote for Repeal / Sponsor Repeal
|
Ban parking in bike lanes
Vote for ban / Sponsor the ban
|
Supports increase in Bike Program
budget
|
Will ride in the Political
Pedal ride
|
Likes what happened to Shoal
Creek
|
Supports car-free bike lanes on Shoal
Creek
|
Would give financial incentives to City
employees to bike, bus, or carpool to work
|
Support reform of CAMPO
|
CAMPO's road bonds
|
Steve Adams
|
Yes / Yes
|
(no answer)
|
Uncertain
|
Yes
|
No
|
(no answer)
|
No
|
Yes
|
Oppose
|
Andrew Bucknall
|
No / No
|
No / No
|
Uncertain
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Oppose*
*See comments below
|
Scott Williams
|
Yes / Yes
|
Yes / No
|
Uncertain
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Support
|
Lee Leffingwell
|
( Did not respond. )
|
James Paine
|
( Did not respond. )
|
Casey Walker
|
( Did not respond. )
|
|
Steve Adams
|
Andrew Bucknall
|
Scott Williams
|
The helmet ordinance
|
The helmet ordinance is an unfair law that the
police should not be tasked to enforce. The police
have better things to do and it is the
responsibility of the parent if they wish their
child to wear a helmet.
|
I was in a bicycle wreck when I was sixteen
years old. I was not wearing a helmet but probably
would have been if an ordinance would have been
present. I was in coma for three days and initially
was not expected to live. I do not want to do
anything to prevent children from wearing helmets
on bicycles. Disparity in enforcement of the law is
a violation of the IVX amendment of the
constitution. Are we equipping the officers with
helmet programs to get them to children who can not
afford them? This disproportionate enforcement
bothers me but throwing out laws does not address
the root problems. Our goal with enforcement should
be compliance not giving tickets and fines.
|
I am a proponent of personal and parental
responsibility. It is the parent's responsibility
to ensure the safety of their children not the
government's. I rode my bicycle without a helmet as
a child as did all of my friends. To be consistant
I believe people should wear seat belts and wear
helmets, but the government should not require
them.
|
How to deal with cars parking in bike
lanes?
|
I would like to see all the information on this
subject before I would make "a law" to prohibbit
someone from parking in front of their own house. I
don't have all the facts and it would not be wise
to make a decision with out the facts. However,
from what I know, I do think that bike lanes should
be clear for bike to ride in.
|
Parking in Bike lanes does not render them
useless unless lanes are filled with many cars. In
those circumstances I would support limiting
parking on certain streets to allow bicycle access.
This would be achieved by placing signs for no
parking. The problem with enforcement is that it is
done between 9am to 5 pm. The police typically do
not utilize resources on neighborhood parking
issues because of call demands. I have been an avid
bike rider for years and have accepted that in the
city there will be cars parked on the side of the
streets even in biking lanes and we must share the
road. I would be open to exploring this issue in
more detail but would not support a blanket ban on
parking in bike lanes.
|
|
How to enforce the no-parking rule in those
few bike lanes where parking is already
prohibited?
|
It's far time we brought back some common sense
to the city and from what I've read on your site,
the city is doing anything but showing common
sense. Our jails are over filled right now. Putting
someone in jail for not wearing a helmet or biking
is nuts.
|
I would like to see increased cooperation
between the police department and citizens. I would
encourage participation in Chief and Commander
Forums. I would like to help facilitate discussion
groups between cyclists, neighborhoods and police
to find solutions to these issues.
|
Speak with the chief of police and work to
educate the officers and request increased
enforcement on these vehicles.
|
If you think the current setup on
Shoal Creek
Blvd. is preferable to what we had
before, why is that?
|
I would like to hear from both sides to get the
needed information to find out what the best fix
for both bikers and residents concerning this
matter. I do know that what the city did (spending
over 300 Thousand dollars to make the problem
worse) was not the right way to deal with the
problem.
|
I think it has served to slow traffic. and
access to bicyclists. I also think the new design
discourages on street parking. It is important to
have open accessible and inclusive government which
brings all people to the table. It is my impression
that the Shoal Creek project was a long process of
compromise which in the end was supported by most
of the neighbored and cyclists that participated in
the process. Often being a city council-member
means reaching a compromise in which no one gets
100% of what they want included. There also is a
trial and error process involved. I would like to
learn more about this proposal and try presenting
it to some of the future traffic calming pans that
come forward.
|
|
What else, if anything, would you do to
improve conditions for cycling on Shoal
Creek?
|
As I stated above, I would like to talk with
bikers and the people who live in the area to see
what would work best to allow bikers and others a
safe way to get back and forth. Spending over 300
thousand dollars to put flower beds in the bike
lane is NOT the way to help the bikers. Where is
the common sense in that stupid plan?
|
I do think the planters should have been smaller
or have the line curve in around planters to grant
more room. I also think if there were some other
device like raised reflectors on those borders
would help keep cars away from bikes.
|
Get rid of the flower pots.
|
How can the bus system best be improved? What
role would you take in that?
|
There are many areas I'd like to work on
concerning our bus system. For one thing, instead
of paying for the items they need we allow them to
collect an out of control sales tax. I'd like to
reduce the taxing ability of CapMetro and have
better accountability on their budget and spending.
There are many other areas I'd like to cover, but
we can do that at a later time.
|
I believe we can have more reliable, efficient
transportation. I would like to see some of our
stops have better lighting or other amenities which
increase usage. I would work with capitol metro and
seek a position working with the board to increase
relaibility, frequency and safety.
|
|
Other comments
|
We need to bring Austin back to an affordable
(not subsidized), friendly, common sense place to
live again. I've lived here all my life and as a
forth generation Austinite I don't like what our
city has become in the past 10 to 15 years. We have
gone to a wonderful place to live to the highest
cost of living in the entire state of Texas and
have lost our common sense in our city leaders.
Let's bring people who want to serve and help the
people of Austin back into office and let's get
ride of the ones who are raising our taxes and
putting us into bad deals like these toll road
deals. I'm the Man that Austin needs for the
positive change.
|
The question about road bonds is really not a
simple yes or no answer, really requires mush more
explination and would deserve many forums on that
one question. On another note, I would like to see
increased fuding for expansion of hike and bike
trails to provide alternative routes of travel for
bicycles. I would also like to see expansion of
bike lanes in Austin. I support children saftey
programs and public private partnerships to bring
helmets and courses to youth through our schools
and recreation centers. I love to Bike and
appreciate the opportunity allowed for me to
participate in this part of your forum. I know that
many times some people resort to seeing this as a
bike vs. cars issue when it should be about a
bicycle and car issue, because we do share the
roads and should be able to find common goals and
common solutions.
|
|
Candidate's campaign website
|
website
|
|
website
|
Place 3
|
Helmet
Ordinance
Vote for Repeal / Sponsor Repeal
|
Ban parking in bike lanes
Vote for ban / Sponsor the ban
|
Supports increase in Bike Program
budget
|
Will ride in the Political
Pedal ride
|
Likes what happened to Shoal
Creek
|
Supports car-free bike lanes on Shoal
Creek
|
Would give financial incentives to City
employees to bike, bus, or carpool to work
|
Support reform of CAMPO
|
CAMPO's road bonds
|
Margot Clarke
|
No / No
|
Yes / Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Oppose
|
Mandy Dealey
|
( Did not respond. )
|
Jennifer Kim
|
( Did not respond. )
|
Gregg Knape
|
( Did not respond. )
|
|
Margot Clarke
|
The helmet ordinance
|
I would say that this situation reflects an
enforcement problem rather than a problem with the
helmet ordinance. I believe the ordinance has value
, especially as a public education tool, and
warnings should be the major enforcement means to
encourage protection of children.
|
How to deal with cars parking in bike
lanes?
|
I do think that we should have a city-wide
review of the bike lanes to be sure that they are
appropriate and useful on streets where we will be
forbidding parking.
|
How to enforce the no-parking rule in those
few bike lanes where parking is already
prohibited?
|
Once again, this is an enforcement situation
that needs to be improved. We must work with the
police to be sure that our priorities in this area
are clear.
|
If you think the current setup on
Shoal Creek
Blvd. is preferable to what we had
before, why is that?
|
The driving lanes on Shoal Crk. previously were
wider than those on an interstate freeway. The
bicyclists and neighbors worked on a plan for this
road for a long time, and, although I think the
parking on only one side would have been
preferable, the residents were unwilling to accept
that option. The compromise that was reached,
though not a plan that necessarily entirely pleases
anyone, will slow traffic on the street, and the
planters will prevent motorists from using the wide
bike/park lanes as an extra lane to drive in. I
think we should give the new arrangement time to
assess its impact on cycling, driving, and
neighborhood safety.
|
What else, if anything, would you do to
improve conditions for cycling on Shoal
Creek?
|
(no answer)
|
How can the bus system best be improved? What
role would you take in that?
|
I hope to serve on the Capital Metro board as a
city council member, and in that capacity to
improve communications and cooperation between the
council and Cap Metro. I want the bus system to
become more effective offering Austinites
transportation alternatives, especially in relation
to the coming commuter rail system, so that we can
reduce congestion on our roads.
|
Other comments
|
I am very interested in improving our
transportation planning and system in Austin,
including expanding options for bicycles and
pedestrians.
|
Candidate's campaign website
|
website
|
Place 4
|
Helmet
Ordinance
Vote for Repeal / Sponsor Repeal
|
Ban parking in bike lanes
Vote for ban / Sponsor the ban
|
Supports increase in Bike Program
budget
|
Will ride in the Political
Pedal ride
|
Likes what happened to Shoal
Creek
|
Supports car-free bike lanes on Shoal
Creek
|
Would give financial incentives to City
employees to bike, bus, or carpool to work
|
Support reform of CAMPO
|
CAMPO's road bonds
|
Jennifer Gale
|
Yes / Yes
|
Yes / Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Oppose
|
Wes Benedict
|
( Did not respond. )
|
Betty Dunkerly
|
( Did not respond. )
|
Philip Byron Miller
|
( Did not respond. )
|
John Wickham
|
( Did not respond. )
|
|
Jennifer Gale
|
The helmet ordinance
|
Bicycle helmets are for those people that have
been hit by a vehicle or are out of control or are
under the age of twenty-one. Those wishing to
commit suicide should be able to ride without a
helmet as long as they have insurance in case of
death or dismemberment and brain damage as in the
Shiavo case. Any person receiving a ticket should
not be jailed. Any person struck while on their
bike should get legal guidance from the City of
Austin in preparing a lawsuit.
|
How to deal with cars parking in bike
lanes?
|
It is criminal that laws against lane violations
don't exist now. Jennifer Gale will sponsor an
ordinance giving towing companies the right to tow
all vehicles from bike lanes and move that person's
car around the corner for a small $ 25.00 fee.
|
How to enforce the no-parking rule in those
few bike lanes where parking is already
prohibited?
|
By giving cyclists the right to report the car
violating the law and the officer failing to
acknowledge its unlawful parking with a
reprimand.
|
If you think the current setup on
Shoal Creek
Blvd. is preferable to what we had
before, why is that?
|
This is the location people think of when
describing how beautiful Austin is. This is a place
where pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles should
come together safely.
|
What else, if anything, would you do to
improve conditions for cycling on Shoal
Creek?
|
Remove cars and trucks to a side street and fine
them. Require our law enforcement to enjoy teaching
people our state and local laws in Austin more as a
warning rather than ticket them.
|
How can the bus system best be improved? What
role would you take in that?
|
We need more routes and buses with greater
frequency for people that work for a living. Austin
should create more routes that connect routes in a
circular fashion that also move through Downtown on
a 24 hour basis.
|
Other comments
|
I created the Idea of having a "Bike Avenue".
The Lance Armstrong Bikeway was supposed to be an
attempt at this. It hasn't been built. My Idea is
to take an existing road that no vehicle may ride
on or cross through. This would make it possible
for a young girl or an elderly gentleman or anbody
else to ride safely Downtown or out to the Texas
countryside totally unencumbered. This would reduce
the need for more roads because people would be
riding their bike comfortably to play or to work.
There also should be enforcement of laws giving a
cyclist the entire lane, requiring vehicles to move
one lane over or so many seconds behind where it is
not safe to come up next to a person on a bike as
to not endanger those approaching intersections or
making turns.
|
Candidate's campaign website
|
(none)
|
Here's what we sent to the
candidates
Below is the survey that we sent to the
City Council candidates.
1. Many people have reservations about the
helmet
ordinance because the last time anyone checked,
over 90% of the no-helmet tickets given to kids
were given to black and Hispanic kids, and because
many believe that getting kids to wear helmets
should be the responsibility of parents, not the
police.
Comments (optional):
2. It is perfectly legal for cars to park in most
bike lanes in Austin, rendering them useless for
their intended purpose. One supposes that in the
rest of the civilized world outside of Austin,
people understand that bike lanes are actually
supposed to be for bikes, not cars.
If you would not vote for such a resolution,
do you have an alternative plan for dealing with
the problem of cars parking in bike lanes?
Please elaborate.
3. In those few bike lanes where it's illegal for
cars to park, enforcement is spotty at best. Many
times we've seen a police cruiser pass one or more
cars parked in a bike lane, paying no notice. By
contrast we know cyclists who have been
arrested and gone to jail for minor traffic
infractions such as bicycling on the sidewalk,
running a red light, or biking without a
helmet. How would you improve enforcement of
the no-parking in bike lanes rule where it
exists?
4. For years Shoal Creek had narrow bike lanes
where it was legal for cars to park. Cyclists
pushed for a restriping of the road which would
have had parking on just one side of the street, so
there would be room for car-free bike lanes. But
instead the City came in and widened the bike
lanes, put in obstructions (planters) up and down
the roadway, and continued to allow car parking.
So, what we had before: Bike lanes with cars parked
in them. What we have now: Bike lanes with cars
parked in them, plus more obstructions. This mess
is detailed on our
Shoal Creek page.
If you think the current setup on Shoal Creek
is preferable to what we had before, why is
that?
What else, if anything, would you do to
improve conditions for cycling on Shoal Creek?
5. Do you think the budget for the City's Bicycle
Program should be increased, decreased, or remain
the same?
6. How can the bus system best be improved? What
role would you take in that?
7. Would you support financial incentives to City
employees who bike, walk, bus, train, or carpool to
work?
8. Are you willing to publicly oppose the current
representation of the federally-sanctioned
CAMPO
body, with its overwhelming share of officials
representing areas and districts lying outside
Austin, even though Austin has most of the area's
population?
9. The CAMPO 2030 plan proposes to hold a series of
$400 million bond elections to pay for expanding
road capacity in accord with the growth trends in
the plan. Would you support or oppose such
bonds?
10. Would you participate in the annual Political
Pedal ride?
Any other comments?
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