Paris Gray
Candidate for: City Council, 8th District
parisgrayd8.com
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Describe your vision of a healthy, safe, and equitable transportation system for Baltimore city and what roles walking, biking, and public transportation play in that vision.
To achieve a healthy, safe, and equitable transportation system in Baltimore City, we must promote and provide multiple travel options for citizens. This includes enhancing our city infrastructure with bike/walk lanes, innovative traffic calming measures, pothole repairs, improved traffic light calibration, and dedicated lanes for public transportation. Whether you prefer walking, biking, using public transportation, or driving, Baltimore should offer accommodations for all modes of transportation in a safe and accessible manner for all residents.
To meet Baltimore City’s adopted climate goals, we must shift at least 10% of current automobile vehicle miles traveled to active transportation and public transit. What is your plan to achieve this goal?
To achieve Baltimore City's adopted climate goals, we need to enhance and expand our bike/walk lanes and advocate to state and federal legislators for funding to improve and expand transit options, such as the Redline.
What is your plan to continue to reduce the number of injuries and deaths on Baltimore City roadways each year?
To reduce the number of injuries and deaths on Baltimore roadways each year, it is crucial for the city to prioritize traffic calming measures. Many of these incidents are a result of speeding. To address this issue, we can implement speed cameras in high-traffic areas as a deterrent, install speed humps on side streets and semi-major roads, and create dedicated bus and bike lanes to narrow streets and promote alternative transportation. I am committed to leveraging my city council powers to allocate funding for these initiatives and to advocate with state legislators for additional support.
How often do you walk, bike or use public transit to reach daily destinations? If not often (or at all), what would make you more likely to use non-personal vehicle modes of transportation?
I do not currently utilize walking, biking, or public transit due to concerns about safety and reliability. If we had safer biking routes and a more reliable and efficient public transit system, I would be more inclined to consider using these modes of transportation.
In 2017, Baltimore City adopted the Separated Bike Lane Network Plan Addendum to the Bike Master Plan. This called for connecting 85% of Baltimore’s neighborhoods to safe, all-ages bike infrastructure by 2022. Less than 20% of this network has been built. What would you do to accelerate implementation?
To expedite the implementation of the separated bike lane network plan, I would persist in advocating for funding and the program's expansion, setting a realistic yet ambitious end date that considers potential community resistance. Additionally, I would prioritize hosting a series of community meetings to engage in constructive conversations about the future of transportation in our city. Collaborating with the Department of Transportation, the Mayor's Office, advocacy groups like Bikemore, and consulting firms, I would like to help organize day trips to nearby bike friendly cities to demonstrate the benefits of having bike lanes to the residents of Baltimore.
In 2018, Baltimore City received national recognition for passing the first equity driven Complete Streets ordinance in the country. This legislation contains a modal hierarchy prioritizing vulnerable road users and mandates best practices in roadway configuration and design. Are you committed to retaining this ordinance and the current practices and modal hierarchy it mandates?
Yes, Im committed to retaining the ordinance because it promotes active transportation, reduces traffic congestion, and enhances the quality of life environmentally and otherwise in the city of Baltimore.
What is your position on The Red Line alternatives? If a surface route is selected, are you committed to ensuring the route has 100% dedicated right-of-way, even if it may require significant parking removal? Are you committed to a parallel separated bike facility, even if it may require significant parking removal as well?
I am dedicated to exploring solutions and engaging in difficult conversations with constituents regarding the alternatives to the Red Line. The Edmondson Village area in my district faces the longest average commute time to work, standing at 45 minutes, compared to other communities in the city. To enhance transit efficiency, dedicated right-of-way travel lanes are essential. I am committed to facilitating these challenging discussions. Additionally, I would welcome the opportunity to seek clarity on the biking facilities that would complement the route.
Agree or disagree?Do you support maintaining the city’s micro-mobility program that provides dockless bikes and scooters?
Yes
Would you support creation of a government subsidized bike share system?
I look forward to further discussing the implication of this with advocates like Bikemore for more information.
Would you support local legislation to subsidize the purchase of e-bikes and membership for micro-mobility or bike share systems?
I look forward to further discussing the implication of this with advocates like Bikemore for more information.
Are you committed to retaining every piece of separated bike infrastructure in the city that’s been built?
Yes
Cars are often longer than a single rowhome is wide. Households with multiple vehicles compete for parking in front of other neighbors’ homes. Do you support scaling residential permit parking fees to either the size of or number of vehicles in a household so those with more vehicles parked on city streets pay their fair share?
Yes
Do you support a citywide speed limit of 25mph on arterials and 20mph on neighborhood streets?
Yes
Do you support banning turns on red at all intersections that permit pedestrian crossing?
I would like to explore this more with you all.
Do you support expanding automated enforcement to all roads that have high rates of crashes and speeding, not just near school zones?
Yes
Do you support legislation to create income-based traffic enforcement fine reductions or waivers locally?
Yes
Do you support allowing increased density adjacent to high-quality transit, grocery stores, Main Street districts, and in other high-amenity neighborhoods?
Yes
Do you support increasing Transit Oriented Development zoning to include all areas within a quarter mile of high-frequency bus routes and a half-mile of light rail and metro stations?
Yes
Minimum parking requirements are shown to increase housing costs while limiting potential density and making neighborhoods less walkable. Do you support removing parking minimums from new development?
Yes
Do you support removing single family residential zoning categories, so that people can choose to build and live in a variety of housing options citywide?
Yes