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.

In order for Baltimore to reduce carbon emission, it is important to promote walking, biking, and public transportation. In order to improve the public transportation system, transit needs to be expanded to not only include Baltimore City, but the surrounding areas, such as Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. For example, expanding the red line to other areas in Baltimore. By expanding the transit system, residents have the opportunity to seek employment in other areas, as well as have alternative transportation opportunities. Furthermore, with expansion, it is important to make sure that service delivery is improved by making the transit system dependable, reliable, and cost-effective. When it comes to biking and walking, I believe that by expanding the bike lanes and the sidewalks throughout Baltimore, more people may consider alternative forms of transportation. Additionally creating bike sharing initiatives.

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?

There are many barriers to getting people to choose walking, biking, or public transportation instead of personal vehicles.  One obstacle is the time it takes for people to reach public transportation and their destination.  Too often, public transit, walking, or biking opportunities are not conveniently located. Therefore, to address this issue, I will fight for an increase in bus stations, express bus service, and expanding public transportation to surrounding counties.  Another barrier is overcrowded public transportation and traffic.  One way to resolve this is to expand the availability of alternative transportation at its peak and alternative times by increasing the availability of buses.  In many cases, the bus schedule plays a significant role in why public transportation service is not utilized.  For example, many do not take alternative transportation due to the inability to arrive on time.  One way to resolve this is to work with the Public Transportation system to survey what is and is not working strategically and creating opportunities to resolve the issue, such as creating bus schedules that support collaborating with an arrangement of alternative transportation.  Overall, I understand the importance of public transport and will work hard to improve public transportation funding, maintenance of buses, and the management of the services offered.

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?

Yes, I would support the Planning Commission's approved separated bike lane network plan that connects Baltimore neighborhoods. One way I will support and hold myself and colleagues accountable is by continuing to bring up the long term effects of not supporting alternative transportation. For example, an increased chance of a child having asthma due to carbon emission. Furthermore, I will continue to engage with the community to support the initiatives set forth in the plan.

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?

My plan to reduce the number of Baltimoreans injured and killed in traffic while walking, biking, and/or driving includes expanding bike lanes, widening sidewalks, and creating bike-sharing services throughout the city. I believe this is beneficial to residents because it will encourage more people to use alternative methods to get around. Additionally, I believe it is important to change legislation surrounding how people are charged in accidents involving walkers, bikers, and/or vehicles. This also includes creating educational programs for youth and new drivers around sharing the road and safety.

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?

As councilwoman, I stand prepared to ensure we leave an environment worthy for our children.  I believe this can be accomplished by supporting initiatives that will promote a greener Baltimore, such as expanding the bike lanes, more walking opportunities, and green streets. Furthermore, I believe it is crucial to expand public transportation opportunities.  By expanding the transportation service, people can utilize public transportation versus personal automobiles.  Additionally, I would like to create programming that will educate the public, including the youth, on the health risk associated with carbon emissions.  In support of the educational programs, I would be interested in creating citywide events that promote carbon emission-free days.  For example, a Neighborhood Walking Day that will encourage residents to tour their community and Carbon Emission related health and resource fair. 

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

Currently, I walk my neighborhood to canvass and talk to community members. Additionally, my daughters and I walk the community to get fresh air, explore the neighborhood, and learn about nature. Our last walk was in the Fall when the leaves were changing and the weather was better. However, we will walk the neighborhood again in the fall.

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

Currently, I do not use public transportation due to having two young daughters. However, I am not opposed to creating more family-friendly public transportation that supports all families, but especially single parent households.

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

Yes, I ride a bicycle in the spring, summer, and fall as a form of recreation. I do so to expose my daughters to new forms of exercise. My last trip on a bike has been a while, however, I have taken my daughter's bike riding in the fall.

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

Agree or disagree?

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

Agree

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Agree

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

Agree

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

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