Where Fairfax County's Candidates stand on Cycling

Virginians, Don't forget to vote today (the way I forgot to hit "publish" on this post until just now). 

 

Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling (FABB) recently released responses to the FABB Candidate Surveys. FABB sent a list of questions regarding bicycling in Fairfax County to candidates for the Board of Supervisors and a separate set to FCPS School Board candidates. A total of 12 of 19 responses were received from the Board of Supervisor candidates and 19 of the 24 from the School Board candidates.

 

See the complete responses from Board of Supervisors candidates: http://www.fabb-bikes.org/2015bossurvey.html

 

See the complete responses from School Board candidates: http://www.fabb-bikes.org/2015sbsurvey.html

 

All Board of Supervisors candidates who responded agreed with  "Do you support safe bicycling as an integral part of the overall transportation options in Fairfax County."  These same candidates would also support Fairfax County seeking recognition as a Bicycle Friendly Community from the League of American Bicyclists.  

 

Three quarters or 75 % of respondents said they support implementing the Bicycle Master Plan recommendation to "Allocate an annual budget dedicated to bicycle planning and program initiatives."

 

Another recommendation of the Bicycle Master Plan, funding Bike Fairfax in FY17, if funds are available was supported by most . One respondent did not support this recommendation.

 

FABB is encouraged by the overwhelming support by the Board of Supervisor Candidates for improving bicycling in Fairfax County.

 

All School Board candidates who responded to the survey generally agreed with the statement "The school system and school board should be doing more to enable FCPS students to walk and bike to school instead of driving or being driven."

 

When asked whether they would support "hiring of a full-time Safe Routes to School Coordinator" when grant funding for the current position ends in August 2016, the responses were mixed. Two respondents said no. Most others supported the goal of a full-time SRTS position but only under certain conditions given the current budget situation.

 

The majority of respondents "support a comprehensive traffic safety education program that ensures, at the appropriate age levels, all students learn how to safely walk, bike, drive and use transit for their daily travel needs." Two candidates did not support such a program, despite such being current School Board policy.

 

While several respondents supported the concept of conducting a "comprehensive transportation study of FCPS to understand FCPS' student transportation patterns, regional traffic impact, costs and other factors that drive decision making," four did not support such a study and others expressed qualified support.

 

FABB is encouraged with the support for improving bicycling in Fairfax County  exhibited by the Board of Supervisor candidates and School Board candidates   FABB does not endorse candidates.

 

[Washcycle: The three county board candidates that didn't support an annual cycling budget were John R. Cook, Jeffrey C. McKay and Corazon S. Foley. Pat "I don't believe a bicycle is a transportation device" Herrity, didn't bother to reply - unfortunately, the Democrats aren't running anyone against him.]

Comments

[ACyclistInThePortCity]

Click through to the earlier washcycle posts. You will see it was Cook who said that, not Herrity (not that Herrity is pro cycling) And Cook is being opposed, by perennial Dem candidate Janet Oleszek.

[Lisa]

I think it's just right that whoever appointed authority's out there should stand for cycling as it is a sign of community progress!