Mike Ross, Mayoral Candidate Talks Transportation

Released onto his website several days ago Mike Ross, who is running for Mayor (along with half the city), released the following about his plans for cycling infrastructure: (Read the entire thing here, and here)

Make Boston the #1 city in America for cyclists

As Boston continues to grow and thrive, our transportation network must include a wide range of options that provide a safe, affordable, convenient, and sustainable alternatives to driving. Biking is an essential component of that network and I am committed to making Boston the Number One city in America for cyclists. To achieve that, residents of all ages and backgrounds need to feel safe and secure while biking in Boston. Mayor Menino helped improve the state of biking in Boston, and I will build on that work in the following ways:

A Commitment to Expanding Boston’s Bike Infrastructure 

• Prioritize funding for bike programs in the city budget and seek a transportation commissioner with a background in cycling and a commitment to multi-modal transportation and “complete streets” design principles.
• Build a network of dedicated, separated cycle tracks that connects every neighborhood to each other.
• Continue to add miles of bike lanes to city streets across all neighborhoods.
• Plan for connected bike routes between city parks.
• Increase wayfinding signs for bikers in all parts of the city.
• Increase the number of curbside bike racks, bike shelters, and bike corrals.

Address Boston’s Most Dangerous Intersections

• Establish a Problem Intersection Task Force to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians at key intersections across city.
• This multi-agency, community-connected effort will work to identify simple street improvements that can be implemented ahead of comprehensive “complete street” redesign efforts. Sometimes all that is needed is to move a bus stop 50 feet or install a turning signal to make a dangerous intersection safer.

Increase Education and Awareness For Cyclists and Drivers

• Partner with universities to teach and promote bike safety to incoming students.
• Leverage community partners to teach bike safety in Boston Public Schools.
• Promote bike safety and awareness to drivers, especially MBTA bus drivers, truck drivers, and city employees.
• Strive to create a culture of mutual respect and responsibility among cyclists and drivers.

Expand and Extend Hubway

• Support the expansion of the Hubway station network to all neighborhoods, especially those underserved by public transit.

• Extend the Hubway season year-round.

• Continue to support subsidized memberships for low-income residents to encourage transit equity.

Now I can’t rightly say I have done enough research to see what all the many many other candidates are saying about bicycle infrastructure, but from reading this plan I can’t find much I don’t like.  It is a basic level headed approach that combines a lot of tried and true strategies.

I don’t know enough about Mike Ross to tell you if you should vote for him, but I can totally get behind his bicycle transportation plans.

If you are a mayoral candidate, or work for one, or just like one, send me a link to your candidates bike plan and I will highlight it on the site.  Whats that?  You don’t have a bike plan…maybe its time to get one!

What do you think of this plan?  Leave your thoughts below.

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