Below is 2017 City Council District 13 Candidate David de la Torre’s full questionnaire response to Bike The Vote L.A.:
1. What future do you see for active mobility, and public transit in the daily lives of Angelenos?
I see a City that continues to promote improved public transit that reduces the reliance Angelinos on the automobile. This active mobility should include continued bike lanes and routes to encourage active cycling to and from, including recreational.
2. In 2015, Los Angeles approved Mobility Plan 2035, the first update to the Transportation Element of its General Plan since 1999. Mobility Plan 2035 puts “safety first” in transportation decisions, and a presents a plan for a sorely lacking East/West quality bike routes through the 13th District. Do you support Mobility 2035’s recommendations of protected bike lanes on key connecting streets traversing CD13?
I fully support “safety first” policy related to bike lanes on key connecting streets traversing CD13.
3. Prevalent speeding on Los Angeles streets takes a deadly toll on people who walk and bike to get around, predominantly children and low-income residents. To address this danger, Los Angeles adopted ‘Vision Zero,’ with the goal of eliminating traffic-related deaths within 20 years. Do you support Vision Zero’s prioritization of safety for Los Angeles’ most vulnerable commuters, even when there may be trade-offs in terms vehicular travel times or available on-street parking?
I support Vision Zero’s prioritization of safety for both Cyclist and pedestrians. It is a serious incident involving cyclist and pedestrians which resulting in an Elysian Valley 65 year old walker in ER that moves me support shared safety to these most vulnerable commuters.
4. Angelenos recently approved Metro’s transportation funding plan, Measure M, with an impressive mandate of support from over 71% of voters. What opportunities do you see for Measure M to improve the options for Angelenos get around in CD13 and elsewhere? Given that Measure M will return millions of dollars directly to the City of Los Angeles each year, do you support increased funding to make biking and walking in the city easier and safer for Angelenos?
Measure M presents opportunity for increased transportation improvement arteries throughout LA (in and around CD13) that people can walk, cycle, or DASH to. For the reasons expressed above, I support fully Measure M’s increased funding to facilitate safer biking and walking for Angelenos.
5. In 2009, New York City initiated a major transformation of its central tourist hub, Times Square, resulting in a 40% drop in traffic injuries and significantly increased retail values. Some have called for Hollywood Blvd to be enhanced as a tourist destination with a similar pedestrian plaza between Highland Ave and Orange Dr. Do you support developing the central hub of Hollywood Blvd into a people-oriented public square in the next council term?
Yes, provided it has area stakeholder support and is in line with the character and infrastructure/density capacity.
6. Los Angeles is beginning to employ bike share as a new transportation option, but many barriers to access remain, particularly the cost of riding and the fact that a credit card is needed to use the system. Some cities have offered subsidies to low-income riders and cash payment options to address these issues. What can the City of Los Angeles do to help as many residents as possible enjoy the benefits that bike share will bring?
Cash payments should be made as easy as depositing coins into a parking meter. I too support subsidies (including free access) to individuals that can demonstrate a financial need and transportation benefit.