1. Describe your vision of a healthy, safe, equitable transportation system for Baltimore City and the roles walking, biking, and public transportation play in that vision.

   My vision of a healthy, safe, equitable transportation system for Baltimore City is one that involves all methods for every resident, despite zip code. I would like to see our transit system connect all residents to jobs, training and increased opportunity. The current system continues to provide a systemic block to certain neighborhoods. We also need a transit system that is affordable, safe and clean. I’d also like to see the Circulator expanded into additional neighborhoods. We should continue to find ways to provide access to all residents to help our city thrive.

2. The fastest and most economical way to address climate change, improve public health, and create equal access to opportunity is to design a city that reduces dependence on private automobiles. What are the biggest barriers to getting people to choose walking, biking, or public transit instead of personal vehicles, and what would you do to address these impediments?

   I believe the biggest barriers are affordability, accessibility and safety. I believe if more employers offered transit-use incentives, it would make it more appealing. For this very reason, I support the Cash Payment option for employers to have multiple choices to travel across the city.

3. In 2017, the Planning Commission approved the Separated Bike Lane Network plan that connects 85% of Baltimore’s neighborhoods by creating safe, protected places to ride a bike. Do you agree with the plan’s recommendations, and if so, what would you do to ensure that we fulfill the plan’s promise to build a minimum of 17 miles of bike lanes per year? Are there specific areas of the city where you would prioritize implementation?

   I would be in support of the plan’s promise, as this plan will help to improve safety and connect network gaps. I believe residents should have options rather driving their automobiles or traveling via their bikes.

4. Approximately 50 people are killed on city streets each year while walking, biking, or driving, with another 9,000 people injured. What is your plan to reduce the number of Baltimoreans injured and killed in traffic every year?

   There are many types of distractions that can lead to impaired driving. The distraction caused by mobile phones is a growing concern for road safety. Often, I see so many motorists who are distracted by their phones. I am happy to see more insurance companies who are encouraging discounts to drivers who put their phones on a “Do Not Disturb” mode. I would like to see more apps or programs offered to encouraged motorists to stay off of their phones while driving. 

5. Approximately 800 Baltimoreans die early every year from preventable diseases related to carbon emissions, more than double the city’s murder rate. Thousands more are hospitalized each year as these emissions trigger asthma and other respiratory diseases. There is a strong correlation between hospitalization and proximity to major car commuter routes. What is your plan to reduce carbon emissions from automobiles in order to decrease the number of Baltimoreans hurt by and dying from emissions-related diseases?

   I believe education is key. If we encourage Baltimoreans to: 

   1. a) Drive Wise – The way we drive can reduce emissions from our vehicle. 

   2. b) Choose Fuel Efficient Vehicles – cars with low greenhouse gas emissions. 

   3. c) Use Efficient Lawn and Gardening Equipment – use manual or electric equipment 

   It would be a start to provide information to residents because they may not know. 

6. Do you walk for transportation? If so, for what purposes, how often, and what was your last trip walking?

   I do not walk for transportation. 

7. Do you use public transportation? If so, for what purposes, how often, and what was your last trip by public transportation?

   I rarely use public transportation. However, I do prefer using public transportation when traveling downtown or D.C. for tourist attractions. It helps to avoid congested traffic and finding parking. 

8. Do you ever ride a bicycle? Is it for transportation, recreation, or both? What was your last trip by bicycle?

   I enjoy riding my bicycle for recreation. I usually ride it to the nearby lake for laps and back home on some weekends. It’s relaxing for me during a stressful week! In addition, there are many other benefits such as: improved health, cost efficiency benefits and zero carbon emissions. 

9. Baltimore’s urban areas have limited space on streets. In order to increase safety and improve mobility, some modes of transportation must be prioritized over others to make the most of this limited space. Please rank how you would prioritize different modes of transportation on city streets, using numbers 1 through 7:

   1. Public Transportation
   2. Walking & devices that aid people with a disability
   3. Bicycles and Scooters
   4. Parking
   5. Freight and Delivery
   6. Personal Automobiles
   7. Ride Hailing Services (Taxi, Uber, Lyft)

   
   Agree or disagree?
   

10. I support removing parking on a street if it would improve safety and increase mobility of people using that street.

    Disagree
    I am undecided. I would think it would depend on the area and how it would affect the residents and businesses. Some residents are already complaining about the lack of parking. 

11. Minimum parking requirements are shown to increase housing costs while limiting potential density and making neighborhoods less walkable. I support following the lead of other cities that have removed minimum parking requirements from new development.

    Agree
    I support following the lead of other cities to remove minimum parking requirements from new development.

12. Some cities require employers that subsidize parking also offer an option for employees to receive that subsidy as a cash payment. I support a mandate that employers offer parking cashout so that employees can choose to pocket that money, use it for alternative transportation, or continue using that cash to pay for parking.

    Agree
    I agree. Cash payments can offer employees various choices to travel to and from work.

13. Increasing density in areas of opportunity is proven to help individuals escape poverty. I support taller, denser, or larger buildings in areas they are now prohibited by zoning.

    Neither agree nor disagree
    I understand that changing zoning laws is viewed as one way to address high housing costs. I would be open to the idea. However, I would say it depends on the area as well.

14. Transit oriented development can expand access to areas of opportunity by locating housing and retail along high frequency transit. Current zoning code only identifies these zones along subway and light rail routes. I support expanded Transit Oriented Development zoning to include areas within a quarter mile of high-frequency bus routes.

    Agree
    Yes, I support expanded Transit Oriented Development zoning because it will provide additional access and opportunity.

15. It is now widely accepted that Single Family Residential Zoning was historically created to maintain racial segregation. I support removing Single Family Residential Zoning categories, allowing both single family and multi family residences to be built in all residential zoning areas.

    Agree
    Yes, I support allowing both single family and multi-family residences to be built in all residential zoning areas.

16. I support allowing existing residences to be split into apartments in all zoning categories without having to pass legislation for each conversion, increasing density in neighborhoods that were traditionally single family homes.

    Agree
    I believe it should be on a case-by-case basis.

17. At 20mph, 90% of pedestrians survive being hit by a car. At 40mph, only 10% survive. I support enforcing a maximum speed limit of 25 mph on arterial streets, and 20 mph on local streets.

    Neither agree nor disagree
    I would say it depends on the area, not sure if I would enforce a maximum speed limit on arterial streets and local streets. I prefer traffic studies and assessments on a case-by-case basis.

18. Allowing turns on red is a contributing factor in increased pedestrian injury and death. I support banning turns on red at all intersections that allow pedestrian crossing.

    Agree
    We should always prioritize safety over mobility. If there are increased pedestrian injury or death, we should consider banning turns at intersections.

19. Automated Speed and Red Light Enforcement Cameras are widely proven to reduce fatal collisions. I support using these cameras on any street, not just near schools and construction sites.

    Agree
    I would be open to supporting speed and red light enforcement cameras on streets other than near schools and construction sites, should it require it (ex: in areas where there are increased car and pedestrian accidents).

20. The Automated Speed Enforcement Camera current threshold is 12 miles per hour. I support cameras being able to issue citations for those traveling 5 miles per hour or more over the speed limit.

    Disagree
    I believe the current threshold is sufficient. Most motorists decrease their speed when approaching Automated Speed Enforcement Cameras. Perhaps, a caution/warning sign would further assist.

21. I would invest in automated enforcement cameras that will issue citations to private automobiles for being stopped or parked in bus lanes.

    Disagree
    I believe signs prohibiting a private automobile from stopping or parking in bus lines are more than enough.

22. Dedicated bus lanes and bus boarding islands are proven to dramatically improve bus reliability and boarding times. I support removing parking or travel lanes to create bus lanes and boarding islands to improve bus performance.

    Agree
    Yes, I support creating bus lanes and boarding islands to improve bus performance.

23. The city adopted the Greenway Trails Network plan that will connect existing trails such as Gwynns Falls Trail and Herring Run Trail to create a 35-mile trail loop that connects 80% of Baltimore’s neighborhoods to greenspace and recreational trails. I support the construction of these trail connections, even if it requires using grass medians or taking road space or parking space away from private automobiles.

    Agree
    I agree. I believe that this plan will enhance and promote a safe place where people can enjoy local outdoor recreation while increasing healthy living.

District-Specific Questions: 4th District

1. Dedicated bus lanes are proven to increase service reliability and speed. MTA Maryland’s BaltimoreLink Red bus route is one of the busiest in the city. I support dedicated bus lanes on Greenmount Avenue and York Road, even if it means removing some parking.

Agree
I support bus lanes on Greenmount and York Road, even if it means removing some parking. This would potentially increase service reliability and speed.