Sharon Green Middleton
City Council: 6th District
sharongreenmiddleton@yahoo.com
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.
I support a system of transportation that supports various modes of transportation, works to ensure the safety of all users, and respects the right of each citizens preferred mode of transportation.
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 do not oppose to the use of alternative modes of transportation. I think the biggest barrier is changing the minds of owners of personal vehicles. As a culture, we have become so pressured by time, we believe the use of the car gets us to our destination faster than other modes of transportation.
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 agree with the plan so far as it is inclusive in bringing all stakeholders to the table to provide input in the design/modifications of the respective neighborhoods. I have not identified any specific locations.
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?
Education is key to help reduce the number of people killed and injured on the streets of Baltimore. I would support the use of public service announcements, responsible social media, and traditional media to create awareness of the need to respect citizens.
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?
Given that a significant number of the residents of Baltimore suffer from lung related illnesses, I am in support of any efforts that improve air quality that may be affected by emissions from automobiles, and factory greenhouse gases.
Do you walk for transportation? If so, for what purposes, how often, and what was your last trip walking?
No, I do not walk as a means of transportation. I do, however, participate in community walk-throughs to identify issues/concerns related to housing, crime, code enforcement, and other quality of life issues. In most cases, the length of the walk ranges 1-3 miles.
Do you use public transportation? If so, for what purposes, how often, and what was your last trip by public transportation?
I do not use public transportation. However, I support a transportation system that efficiently connects all parts of the City. I believe, such a system will reduce vehicular traffic congestion on our streets.
Do you ever ride a bicycle? Is it for transportation, recreation, or both? What was your last trip by bicycle?
Yes. I ride for recreation purposes. I set aside one day out of the month to ride to Cylburn Arboretum, and ride a portion of the Jones Falls Trails.
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. Parking
3. Walking & devices that aid people with a disability
4. Ride Hailing Services (Taxi, Uber, Lyft)
5. Freight and Delivery
6. Bicycles and Scooters
7. Personal vehicles
Agree or disagree?I support removing parking on a street if it would improve safety and increase mobility of people using that street.
Neither agree nor disagree
Prior to any removal of parking, I want to ensure my decision is based on accurate data, and input from the community(s) that will be directly impacted.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 would support removing minimum parking requirements if there is solid evidence based on a comparison to a city identical to Baltimore- similar demographics, transportation infrastructure, and tax base.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
Yes. I support options for employees to choose their method of transportation to and from work.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.
Agree
I am a firm supporter of providing options for individuals to escape poverty. I would support exploring options that allow taller, denser, or larger buildings if there is evidence that supports it helps individuals escape poverty.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.
Neither agree nor disagree
I would support exploring options to expand TOD ones. My primary concern will always be to make sure communities that will be affected will always have a seat at the table in determining what happens in their community.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.
Disagree
I am not in support of allowing both single family and multi-family residences to be built in all residential zoning areas without careful consideration of how it will impact neighborhoods/communities in terms of space for residents to enjoy the space outside of their homes, and the convenience of parking for those who choose vehicles as their mode of transportation.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.
Disagree
See above answer. Additionally, this zoning would have to apply to all neighborhoods-not only those in middle- and lower-income neighborhoods.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.
Agree
I support speed limits that allow the free flow of traffic, while ensuring the safety of cyclist, pedestrians, and motorists.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
Quality of life is much more important.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 support using cameras on any street that clearly poses a threat to other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.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.
Neither agree nor disagree
I support issuance of citations based on data collected and its impact on the flow of traffic and how it moves residents from place to place.I would invest in automated enforcement cameras that will issue citations to private automobiles for being stopped or parked in bus lanes.
Neither agree nor disagree
I support the exploration of idea and methods to keep traffic moving as long as there is a robust discussion of the full impact on residents of neighborhoods and communities where proposed changes will take place.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.
Neither agree nor disagree
I support the exploration of idea and methods to keep traffic moving if there is a robust discussion of the full impact on residents of neighborhoods and communities where proposed changes will take place.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.
Neither agree nor disagree
I support the exploration of ideas to expand the Greenway Trails Network. However, I think residents who use various modes of transportation should be involved in decision-making process.