In an exercise identical to what was done with the Democratic candidates, Chris Slatt asked the Independent Candidates for Arlington County's Board questions about biking and bike policy. There response, along with updates from the Democrats, are below.
Also, WABA and others are hosting a candidate forum next week.
Reception and Candidate Forum on Environmental Sustainability and Smart Growth
with candidates Audrey Clement, Katie Cristol, Christian Dorsey, and Mike McMenamin
Friday, October 23, 2015
6:00 Reception | 6:30 Forum
Cafe Sazón (4704 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204)
RSVP (free) requested >>
Join Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment, the Coalition for Smarter Growth, the Mount Vernon Group of the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club, and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association for a forum with thecandidates for Arlington County Board.
We'll pose questions and hear the candidates' viewpoints on issues related to smart growth, energy, bicycling, transit-oriented development, stormwater protection, and natural resources. You'll be able to join in as well -- submitting questions for the candidates.
We know you may be coming straight from work, so we'll have plenty of food and drink thanks to our friends at the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization and Cafe Sazón!
Responses below the bump
MIKE MCMENAMIN
http://mike4countyboard.com/
1) Do you ride a bike? If so, tell us about your riding.
Yes, I ride a bike. Today, I ride mostly for recreational purposes. At one time, I rode everyday for exercise, so I am well aware of how fortunate we are as a community to have great bike trails.
2) What do you see as the role of cycling in Arlington?
The role of cycling is very important, as many depend on it to get to work and it is their primary form of transportation. There are also many citizens in the county that ride for recreational purposes.
My own experience is that it is far easier to ride your bike into places such as Clarendon in order to run errands because of the parking situation in the County.
3) What should the county do, if anything, to get more people to bike?
If more people biked it would take congestion off our streets. In order to do this, we need to ensure a safe experience for riders when they are off the trails. That means that we need to keep our streets wide enough to allow for bicycles, cars, and buses.
4) How would you approach the decision making process on a project like the Washington Blvd Trail which puts two Arlington priorities at odds? (In this case cycling infrastructure and tree canopy)
I learned from Wash Cycle that the trail is expected to cost about $1.7 million and that the initial path would have necessitated digging up hundreds of mature trees
It looks as if the County Board will approve a realignment of the trail to put it closer to Towers Park and S. Rolfe Street, north of Columbia Pike. This is a very good compromise has it benefits bikers and saves the trees.
5) Many board members have been supportive of cycling, but few are true champions. Would you be a supportive board member or a champion?
I would hope to be a true champion.
6) Under what circumstances, if any, would you support removing parking to install bike infrastructure?
As I stated above, we need to ensure that our roads are wide enough to ensure biker safety. However, parking is at a premium in certain areas of the county. I think we would need to look at the situation on a case by case basis.
7) Do you support "road diets" as Arlington has done in the past on Shirlington Drive and is installing on Wilson Blvd this summer which remove travel lanes on streets to provide accommodations for other modes of travel like bicycles?
Yes, in certain instances where it would make sense and it would need to be done on a case by case basis, as every road is different and has differing amounts of traffic.
8) If elected, what do you hope to have accomplished to make Arlington a better place for cycling by the end of your first term?
I would like to work with the cycling community and listen to your thoughts on what the County can do better. Then set a course of action that makes sense to the biker community and our overall transportation goals in the County.
9) Is there anything else you would like to share with the Arlington cycling community?
I think providing a safe experience for bikers is essential to getting folks to ride their bikes. A took a nasty fall a few years ago on a wet morning on the wooden bridge under the Roosevelt Bridge. I think we need to ensure that surfaces and traffic allow for a safe experience.
KATIE CRISTOL
http://www.katiecristol.com/
1) Do you ride a bike? If so, tell us about your riding.
I'm a novice biker -- and the proud owner of a Phoenix Bike -- and bike generally for recreation and back and forth from my neighborhood up to Columbia Pike for shopping and dining. (Although because I work from home, technically most of my transportation of any form is for recreation.)
2) What do you see as the role of cycling in Arlington?
I see cycling - and transit alternatives in general - as part of an interlocking set of planning and growth strategies. For example, I see biking as a possible driver of economic redevelopment on Columbia Pike (because we know that bike commuters are more likely to stop and patronize local businesses), and even as a possible way of tackling housing affordability in our urban villages in the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor (because parking-space minimums increase rent by restricting housing supply, and having more transit alternatives - like bike infrastructure - makes it feasible for Arlington to grant flexibilities on parking minimums).
A robust cycling culture and infrastructure in Arlington also allows us to score high on “livability” indices for groups like young professionals and retirees, and to stand out as the healthiest community in Virginia.
3) What should the county do, if anything, to get more people to bike?
My read is that Arlington currently does a good job supporting those who already have decided to bike (e.g. prioritizing plowing commuter bike trails during snowstorms), and has made some great efforts to tackle some of the barriers to biking - particularly with its investments in Capital BikeShare, which addresses a number of convenience issues that might otherwise keep residents from biking.
To go further, we should pursue protected lanes (where consistent with community vision for redevelopment, as on the Pike or potentially emerging in the Lee Highway Alliance community process), to help encourage less-confident bikers to try a bike commute or take more bike trips for shopping and recreation. Beyond that, I look forward to working with the bike community to learn more about the obstacles they see to biking, and the right planning and policy steps to address them at the County level.
4) How would you approach the decision making process on a project like the Washington Blvd Trail which puts two Arlington priorities at odds? (In this case cycling infrastructure and tree canopy)
This is a great question with resonance well beyond just the bike community. In general, I’m always inclined to ask for more context before accepting that there are only two sides or options to an issue and picking one (for example, based on what I’ve heard while knocking doors in the Penrose neighborhood, the Washington Boulevard Trail debate was as much about concurrent VDOT undertakings in the area as about “bikes vs. trees”). As a County Board member, it’s not always possible to knock on doors before every vote, but I do believe Board members can communicate to staff - via the County Manager - that they’d like evidence of broader contextual consideration before deciding on a recommendation. I think it’s also fair to expect that Board members visit sites, walk proposed trails, etc. before making major decisions (as a way of gathering that context and asking thoughtful questions), and that’s a commitment I would make.
5) Many board members have been supportive of cycling, but few are true champions. Would you be a supportive board member or a champion?
I aspire to be a champion. To me, the difference between support and championship is where an issue fits into a leader’s overall vision for Arlington. And although I can’t guarantee that I will always agree with bike advocates on each issue that may come before the Board, I do see biking as a strategy for economic redevelopment and affordability (as detailed in Question #1) and therefore will actively look for ways to further biking in our community.
6) Under what circumstances, if any, would you support removing parking to install bike infrastructure?
In some circumstances, I think this could be a good choice. Criteria I’d consider would include:
• Whether there is other mass transportation infrastructure to absorb resident (and worker, and consumer) transit needs to help offset the removed parking;
• Coherence with the land use plans (e.g. sector plans; revitalization plans; neighborhood conservation plans) in the area or neighborhood
7) Do you support "road diets" as Arlington has done in the past on Shirlington Drive and is installing on Wilson Blvd this summer which remove travel lanes on streets to provide accommodations for other modes of travel like bicycles?
I do support the objectives of "road diets": accommodating bike and pedestrian lanes on our roads without diverting traffic onto smaller, neighborhood streets.
With respect to Wilson Boulevard, I think we're all still learning from the results of this summer's paving and markings (my understanding is that staff will prepare a report next spring analyzing results of the first phase, which will be instructive not only for the future of Wilson Blvd, but for other possible projects around the County). But I'm encouraged by a couple of components of the project. First, it illustrates that "Complete Streets" really are about ensuring pedestrian as well as cyclist safety so that residents can feel comfortable on the roads with their children, pets, etc., as well as empowered to travel by bike. Second, I appreciate that the Bluemont Civic Association played a leading role in the Wilson Boulevard road diet project. With any future road diet projects, engaging the surrounding neighborhoods (through the Neighborhood Conservation Planning process and other mechanisms) will be critical, both to ensure buy-in for the changes and to ensure that multi-modal road improvements work in harmony with other neighborhood plans for economic re-development, beautification, etc.
8) If elected, what do you hope to have accomplished to make Arlington a better place for cycling by the end of your first term?
I’ve spoken on the campaign trail about making it easier to “bike the Pike” — I know the County is already laying the groundwork for some of these efforts with the Pike Multimodal Plan, so I hope to build on those efforts and partner with the robust community of Pike advocates, neighbors and business to achieve some of that vision. I’d also hope to help broker relationships between bike advocates and other stakeholders along the Pike — including schools and family groups, and low-income and new American groups — to help ensure that our vision for “bikability” on the Pike addresses some of the obstacles to biking that these groups often experience.
9) Is there anything else you would like to share with the Arlington cycling community?
Thanks for the opportunity to learn about your priorities in this questionnaire; I hope we’ll continue the conversation.
CHRISTIAN DORSEY
http://christiandorsey.org/
1. Do you ride a bike? If so, tell us about your riding.
I am a recreational cyclist who uses my bike mostly to ride our local trails and to run errands in south Arlington. I once commuted to work (into the District) on my bike, and while I found that invigorating, I mostly commute via bus.
2. What do you see as the role of cycling in Arlington?
Cycling is both a key component of a multi-modal transportation network and an essential recreational activity for children, prime aged adults and seniors. As such, it is critical that our thoroughfares be made safe for commuting cyclists and that our bike paths be well maintained to facilitate safe, and convenient travel for cyclists, walkers, etc.
3. What should the county do, if anything, to get more people to bike?
I think Arlington has already implemented programs that aid in continuing to make biking a viable option for those who choose it. The myriad resources available to cyclists on Bike Arlington allow both novice and experienced cycling commuters to find safe routes, parking and other facilities to aid in their travel.
Complete streets efforts also provide the necessary infrastructure to make cycling safe and convenient.
Arlington’s overall efforts should be designed to ensure all modes provide the user with maximum safety, affordability and convenience.
4. How would you approach the decision making process on a project like the Washington Blvd Trail which puts two Arlington priorities at odds? (In this case cycling infrastructure and tree canopy)
To be sure, the loss of 140 mature trees should not be taken lightly. Even with nearly 150% replacement, it will take decades for the tree canopy to be functionally replaced. However, it will be replaced, and the positive benefits of greater north-south connectivity through Penrose and the other benefits of the trail will make cycling more viable through south Arlington. On balance, for me it is an acceptable compromise.
5. Many board members have been supportive of cycling, but few are true champions. Would you be a supportive board member or a champion?
I don’t have a great depth of knowledge about cycling issues, and I feel our current policies for promoting cycling and developing bike infrastructure are appropriate, I don’t think I merit consideration as a “champion.”
That said, my support is unqualified. Cycling is an inherent component of a sustainable multi-modal approach to transportation. There is more for us to do--certainly-- but we must manage our cycling investments among other priorities. Among the areas I would like to see planned and resources committed in the future is a full Arlington Boulevard connection from Falls Church through Arlington.
6. Under what circumstances, if any, would you support removing parking to install bike infrastructure?
I have, on behalf of my organization’s commuting cyclists, negotiated with our building owner to build a secure facility for bike parking and storage. In our case, one space needed to be taken offline. We were successful, largely because the owner found other ways to add that space in our high demand building.
The lesson learned is that it is an easy conversation with a parking owner/operator if it ends up being revenue neutral after a modest initial investment.
7. Do you support "road diets" as Arlington has done in the past on Shirlington Drive and is installing on Wilson Blvd this summer which remove travel lanes on streets to provide accommodations for other modes of travel like bicycles?
I really like that we are pursuing the Wilson Blvd. road diet project as a pilot program. I feel the residents around Boulevard Manor, Ashlawn and Dominion Hills along with complete streets project management staff will benefit greatly from the empirical evidence on how this will work.
The objectives--increasing pedestrian safety, providing routes for cyclists and reducing vehicle speeds are necessary. We will see how that balances with congestion and if any unintended consequences develop so that as we pursue road re-channelizations all along Wilson and elsewhere, we will be able to apply best practices.
The Shirlington Road road diet has been successful, but is not a precisely applicable precedent because the number of vehicle trips is of a different magnitude than on Wilson.
8. If elected, what do you hope to have accomplished to make Arlington a better place for cycling by the end of your first term?
I would want to have established empirical best practices from which to determine how and where we establish complete streets in Arlington. If the Wilson project proves successful, I would want that to be fully funded by the end of my first term.
I would also want to find financing to fund a basic trail along Arlington Boulevard into the District.
9. Is there anything else you would like to share with the Arlington cycling community?
Thank you for the opportunity share my thoughts about these issues.
AUDREY CLEMENT
http://audreyclement.com/
I think it's unjust to deny a candidate an opportunity to respond to a questionnaire and then claim that the candidate refused to respond.
Well, #8 settles it for Audrey Clement, no vote from this Arlington County resident.
Helmet use is fine, I sometimes wear one, but it should be personal choice, not law. If she wants to make an outlaw out of some riders and deter other people from riding altogether, she's not pro-cycling, even if she rides herself.
The question was what would you hope to accomplish to make Arlington a *better* place for cyclists, not a *worse* one. I consider myself a progressive, but this meddling in other peoples' personal choice is what turns many folks off.
Posted by: DE | October 16, 2015 at 09:25 AM
What's the context to Audrey Clement's #9 answer? Was she left out originally or something?
Also, "BikeShare bikes are obsolete." Wish she would expand on that because I don't really get it.
Posted by: Brandon | October 16, 2015 at 10:27 AM
MIKE MCMENAMIN - Decent. Generally supportive but doesn't seem to have much thought or substance behind his responses.
KATIE CRISTOL - Good. Thoughtful and honest analysis (best of the lot).
CHRISTIAN DORSEY - maybe ok. Supportive in theory. Missed the point about the parking question. Not much substance in the responses.
AUDREY CLEMENT - Just terrible. Mandatory helmets and bike share removal. Seriously? I don't care if she rides regularly, her policies are terrible.
Posted by: Uptowner | October 16, 2015 at 10:30 AM
Brandon, yeah there was some back and forth because it was originally stated that she didn't reply to emails, but then she joined in and said she never got one, and the person who compiled it said he sent them to her - and included screenshots of the emails. That's kind of where it ended.
Posted by: washcycle | October 16, 2015 at 10:37 AM
You can follow it all here.
Posted by: washcycle | October 16, 2015 at 10:38 AM
I agree that Cristol seems the best. I don't want to be a one-issue voter, but in this case I don't think that's the case since an inclination to turn your own personal opinions into mandates in one area probably transfers to other areas as well.
Audrey Clement was also the one so heavily criticizing the Air Force Classic. She appears to support cycling only if you cycle *exactly* like she does. IMHO, she gives cyclists a bad name.
Posted by: DE | October 16, 2015 at 10:44 AM
Reading between the lines, Mike McMenamin's responses regarding road width and parking are troubling.
We know the effect of road width on driver behavior: the wider the road, the faster people will drive. So width per se is detrimental to bicycle safety, not contributive. Wide roads encourage drivers to speed, thus scaring bicyclists away from using the roads and increasing the danger to pedestrians attempting to cross them.
He sounds overly interested in maintaining or even augmenting existing parking. The reason Arlington is perceived to have a parking shortage is because parking is underpriced, so quantity demanded naturally exceeds the supply. In order to ensure readily available parking in the busiest corridors, you need to price it high enough that many people will choose alternatives. The relationship of parking policy with bicycle safety is simple: bicycle safety varies inversely with the number of parking spaces. Every existing parking space makes bicycling a little bit more dangerous and a less attractive transportation option; every removal of a parking space would help to accomplish the opposite.
"True champion"?
Posted by: scoot | October 16, 2015 at 11:38 AM
@Scoot, good point about McMenamin. You don't encourage cycling by "keep(ing) our streets wide enough to allow for bicycles, cars, and buses." Quite the opposite, in fact.
Wide streets are typically worse for cycling, as they encourage higher car speeds. To create a good cycling environment, you want to limit car speeds (<1,500 per day) and volumes (<15mph) on local streets and build high quality, separate (protected) bicycle lanes and protected intersections on arterial and through streets everywhere else.
Posted by: Uptowner | October 16, 2015 at 09:36 PM
Not that I would have ever considered voting for Clement, but this just confirms my opinion about her. She does not have the temperament to be on the Board, no matter her politics.
Her bike statements are, and have been, ridiculous. Removing bikeshare? What the heck? And then she brings up helmet use? Does she realize that there have been no serious head injuries reported among Capital Bikeshare users, after 11 million individual trips?
People can no longer say "small sample size" when talking about bikeshare and helmets. Five years and 11 million trips of data are more than enough to demonstrate that there are more important ways to increase safety than to mandate helmet use, particularly among bikeshare users. Ridiculous.
Posted by: Citizen | October 18, 2015 at 03:16 AM
Fortunately, few people consider Clement to be a viable candidate. Especially after her rant about the Air Force Association Cycling Classic, when she claimed that the road closures put her life in danger. I have to say again, what?
Posted by: Citizen | October 18, 2015 at 03:19 AM
Two of the four get in though, and it's an off-year election, so strange things can happen. If you are a voter in Arlington, you might keep the election in mind. I'll be there first thing before the bike commute to work.
Posted by: DE | October 19, 2015 at 10:50 AM