Narrative Questions
Describe your vision of a healthy, safe, equitable transportation system for the Baltimore Region and the roles walking, biking, and public transportation play in that vision.
Transit is key to accomplishing Maryland’s environmental and economic equity objectives. We must implement: Complete Streets (as crafted by Bikemore and Ryan Dorsey), Baltimore Bicycle Master Plan to fully build out Baltimore’s bicycle network instead of the disjointed system we have now, a Citywide network of green trails such as the plan envisioned by the Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, improved frequency of bus services (and a protected bus lane) with an eventual transition to fare-free buses, resuscitate Red Line and expand MARC service. To do this we need a fully funded/empowered regional transit authority to set Baltimore’s vision and progressive taxation to pay for these expanded services.
The fastest and most economical way to address climate change, improve public health, and create equal access to opportunity is to reduce dependence on private automobiles. What are the biggest barriers to getting people to choose walking, biking, and public transit instead of personal vehicles for daily trips, and what would you do to address these impediments?
The largest barrier is the lack of safe infrastructure and frequent/reliable services. I will advocate for a Regional Transit authority to set the direction and for: Complete Streets (as crafted by Bikemore and Ryan Dorsey), Baltimore Bicycle Master Plan to fully build out Baltimore’s bicycle network instead of the disjointed system we have now, a Citywide network of green trails such as the plan envisioned by the Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, improved frequency of bus services(and a protected bus lane) with an eventual transition to fare-free buses, resuscitate Red Line and expand MARC service.
Maryland and its jurisdictions continue to spend money on road and highway widening despite overwhelming evidence that it actually increases traffic and congestion through induced demand. Justification for widening is often that it will improve road safety, which is also discredited. What is your position on Maryland and its jurisdictions spending money this way, and would you support a moratorium on road and highway widening?
I am adamantly against widening highways and I fully support a moratorium on road/highway widening. We need to be investing in mass transit infrastructure not doubling down on our dependency on cars. Widening highways jeopardizes our climate goals, increases car accidents, and only furthers congestion. I'll support a moratorium so that Maryland can invest in mass transit and complete streets.
Describe your understanding for the need of a Baltimore Regional Transportation Authority. Do you support creation of a regional authority, and if so, how would you legislate or guide the state’s role in creating and sustaining it?
Improving transit is key to Baltimore's economic vitality and environmental goals. Over 30% of our residents are not car owners, our state has a history of transit inequity/structural racism that has left Baltimore neglected. I will fight for a fully funded Regional Transit Authority that will set the vision for Baltimore and help us to resuscitate the red line, implement the Bicycle Master Plan/Complete Streets, and build an equitable transit system.
Since the 1990’s federal surface transportation authorization laws have set the rules and formulas for federal transportation funding flowing to states. Two of the largest categories, the Surface Transportation Block Grant program and the National Highway Performance Program, can be used for many forms of surface transportation including highways, transit, bike, pedestrian, and ADA infrastructure. However, state departments of transportation, MDOT included, have used them almost exclusively for highway projects and much of its new capacity. That has resulted in growth in traffic volumes, travel times, and carbon pollution. In your view, why have those trends continued?
I think lobbying by special interests has played a role (I'm proud to be the only candidate for State Delegate in District 43A who rejects corporate special interest money). I also believe that we need further community organizing and voter education modeled by organizations such as Bikemore and Baltimore Transit Equity Coalition. I will continue to work with grassroots organizers to ensure Maryland has an equitable and robust public transit system.
How do you typically commute to work or run errands? Describe the last trips you made by walking, biking, and public transit.
I'm an avid cyclist (5-10 miles per day) who cycles for both exercise and errands. Like many cyclists, I've had near death experiences with cars on Baltimore's road and I'm hyper-motivated to improve cycling infrastructure in the city.
Agree/Disagree Questions
Maryland and its jurisdictions should be required to “fix-it-first,” funding deferred maintenance of bridges and roads and safety retrofits like road diets, sidewalks, ADA compliance, and other infrastructure prioritizing vulnerable road users before spending on new roads and infrastructure.
Agree
Maryland should adopt a funding rubric for all transportation investment that follows a modal hierarchy prioritizing pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders over personal automobile use, and mandates that these investments prioritize racial and economic equity.
Agree
Highway User Revenues continue to decrease as cars become more efficient, and semi-autonomous driving technology is allowing more comfortable long distance commutes. To address this, Maryland should introduce an income-based Vehicle Miles Traveled tax.
Agree
Maryland should require and fund all-ages-and abilities bicycle infrastructure in retrofits of existing roads and construction of new roads, including fully separated infrastructure or side paths/trails on collector roads, arterial roads, state highways, and interstates.
Agree
There has been a dramatic increase in car crashes that injure and kill people walking and biking, who are then frequently sued by a driver’s insurance. Maryland should move from contributory negligence to a strict liability model for crashes involving vulnerable road users.
Agree
Paired with a requirement for income-based fines, Maryland should authorize jurisdictions to utilize additional types of automated enforcement like bus lane cameras and stop sign cameras, remove geographic restrictions, and allow a reduced threshold for triggering speed cameras.
Agree
Maryland should allow local jurisdictions to lower their own speed limits based on roadway typology instead of based on expensive engineering studies for each road segment, and should set a statewide upper urban speed limit of 25 miles per hour.
Agree
Maryland should require employers provide “Parking Cash Out,” valuing the cost of parking subsidized or paid for by employers and allowing employees the option of taking that benefit as a cash payout in the amount of the parking subsidy instead.
Agree
Maryland should require jurisdictions to eliminate parking minimums and institute parking maximums in new development, as well as require the cost of parking be unbundled from rent, giving individuals the choice to rent without paying for parking.
Agree
It’s widely accepted that single family zoning advances racial and economic segregation. Maryland should ban single family zoning at the state level, allowing both single family and multifamily residences to be built in all zoning areas.
Agree