In the wake of news late last month that two cyclists were killed by cars in a single day, the mayor and other city officials responded with “outrage” and recommitted to the Vision Zero goal of having no traffic deaths in San Francisco by 2024.
We asked candidates for District Nine supervisor what they would do to improve safety for cyclists in their district, per a reader-submitted question.
In light of the deaths last week on dangerous streets, what specific steps would you take to make cycling safer in your district? What would you do to move towards Vision Zero?
Respuestas en español aquí.
Melissa San Miguel, education advocate
I am sad and angry that two cyclists were killed last week on our city streets. As a kid, I would ride my sister’s banana seat bike around the neighborhood. As an adult, I have ridden my trusty Novara bike through the Mission and across the city. I know firsthand how harrowing an experience this can be. We need to support our police in meeting their stated goal of 50% citations for the five dangerous traffic behaviors, like red-light running or speeding. Moreover, our city already has developed a list of its “high injury corridors”; now let’s do something about it! We need to ensure these areas undergo bicycle safety improvements to make them safer.
Joshua Arce, civil rights attorney and Community Liaison for Laborers Local 261
As someone who has been hit by a car while riding my bike, I know all too well the importance of bicycle safety. In fact, it took me several years to start riding again.
We must redouble our driver education efforts to improve safety for the tens of thousands of people who ride on our streets every day.
I wholeheartedly support the goal of Vision Zero of eliminating rider fatalities on our roads by 2024 and co-sponsored a 2014 Environment Commission resolution endorsing Vision Zero.
In line with these goals, as Supervisor I will push to expedite our bike friendly roadways program, continue lobbying other local and state officials to improve our road safety laws and advocate for stronger enforcement of dangerous driving which puts riders lives at risk.
As a bike rider and the father of two young children, I look forward to the day when all riders in San Francisco have safer access to our roads.
Iswari España, Training Officer with the San Francisco Human Services Agency
I used to ride my bike to work but the SFMTA’s Red Traffic Carpet in the area has made it unsafe for cyclists (a feeling shared by my neighbors.) As supervisor, I plan to support a model of community advocacy for the use of bicycles and cooperatives. I would support Bike Share and Bicis Del Pueblo cooperative programs. I would encourage community space devoted to educate on safety and transportation options, and I would welcome input from bike advocacy groups. In addition, I would expedite the delineation of bike lanes in our neighborhoods without the elimination of parking spaces. Last but not least, I would advocate for the enforcement of traffic laws that Law Enforcement has ignored that could prevent injuries and fatalities.
Hillary Ronen, Chief of Staff for Supervisor David Campos
The one size fits all, “I know what’s best for you” style of 1960s planning is what left District 9 with many unwalkable neighborhoods bisected by freeways.
We need to learn from history and separately address the unique transportation and safety needs of each of District 9’s neighborhoods.
As Supervisor I will work to modernize our outdated infrastructure and will prioritize the over 50 high-injury corridors where the MTA has few or no plans to introduce safety improvements.
- Modernize all traffic signs and signals in District 9.
- Reconnect Portola, Bernal and Alemany market by creating cross walks, bike lanes and open spaces on the unused land near the Alemany Maze.
- Redesign the “Hairball” underneath the 101 to make it safe for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Separate bicyclists and cars through road redesign.
43 Questions is a weekly series — started 43 weeks before Election Day — to question the candidates running for District 9 supervisor. Send us questions to info@missionlocal.com and let us know in comments or in an email if you think candidates have answered as asked.