Tag: PASCD5

Bike The Vote L.A. Endorsement – Krystal Padley for Pasadena City Council District 5

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2017 Pasadena CD5 Endorsement: Krystal Padley

Primary Election day: Tuesday, March 7, 7am-8pm
Find your Pasadena Council District: http://www.cityofpasadena.net/map/
Find your polling place: http://lavote.net/locator

Pasadena’s Council District 5 is one of the City’s most diverse, and home to many residents who rely on active and public transportation. Unfortunately, the streets of District 5 are also among the most dangerous in Pasadena, with higher than average rates of collisions involving people on foot and on bikes.

Krystal Padley is an exciting and promising candidate to represent the District who has clearly communicated that the status quo of dangerous streets is not acceptable. She has made Vision Zero a key element of her platform, focusing on improving the safety of Pasadena streets, while also working to increase the mode share of active transportation to improve Pasadena’s air quality.

Over the past decade the District has been represented by incumbent Victor Gordo. Gordo has supported some Complete Street improvements, including the City’s first bicycle traffic signal and bicycle boulevard on Marengo Avenue. Overall, however, safer street design simply hasn’t been a priority for Gordo. His decision to leave an appointment to the City’s Transportation Commission vacant for over three years is emblematic of his neglect of transportation issues within District 5.

Padley, on the other hand, clearly sees mobility and infrastructure as top issues. Padley’s responses to Bike The Vote’s questions show that she knows from experience what it’s like to walk or bike to school or work, and understands the safety challenges that need to be overcome. We welcome her call to create more dedicated bikeways in District 5, and agree with her that simply painting sharrows in traffic lanes is not enough. Her commitment to “100% prioritize implementing the Vision Zero plan to reduce traffic deaths and promote alternative transportation options” is exactly the statement that more elected officials across all of Los Angeles County should be making.

Padley’s vision for a safer and more equitable Pasadena is not limited to her embrace of safe streets. She keenly notes that law enforcement alone cannot bear the full burden of improving safety and reducing crime; that increased policing will not rebuild trust between community members and law enforcement, or create job opportunities and youth programming. As a thoughtful community advocate with a first-hand understanding of the importance of making Pasadena’s streets safe for the most vulnerable users, Krystal Padley earns Bike The Vote L.A.’s endorsement for Pasadena City Council District 5.

(See below for Krystal Padley’s response to Bike The Vote L.A.’s Candidate Questionnaire)

 

1. What future do you see for active mobility and public transit in the daily lives of those who live, work, and go to school in Pasadena?

Given the limits of street parking, active mobility and public transit needs to be emphasized as Pasadena grows. Along with public transit, we need to emphasize local consumerism and support the growth of small businesses who have found the permit process in Pasadena extremely tedious.

2. Pasadena’s traffic is compounded by the reality that many parents and workers don’t feel safe commuting even short distances or performing school drop-offs on foot or by bike. What would you do as Councilmember to improve active transportation options around schools, public transit, and in commercial districts to provide better transportation options for District 5 residents?

We need dedicated bikeways and safer crosswalks in District 5. Painting sharrows (ie, Mountain St) and crosswalk bars (ie, Boylston, across Lake) is insufficient. We need educational campaigns so that drivers understand to share the road. And we need practical solutions: flashing lights on crosswalks, longer crossing times, light delays, sensored speed limit postings, and reduced street parking (a controversial topic in its own right).

3. If elected, what would you do to reduce preventable, serious and fatal traffic collisions in the City of Pasadena? Would you support the implementation of a local Vision Zero policy?

District 5 experiences the most severe and frequent traffic collisions in Pasadena. I will 100% prioritize implementing the Vision Zero plan to reduce traffic deaths and promote alternative transportation options. It’s unacceptable that we have the three most dangerous intersections in Pasadena and Madison Elementary was named one of the most dangerous in California based on a disproportionate number of traffic collisions around the school.

4. Over the past 3 years, Pasadena Playhouse District members, City staff, and local residents have worked on planning the Playhouse Parklets Pilot (www.playhouseparklets.org/). In the coming few months, a final decision will be made by the Council whether to move forward with implementing the pilot project, which would install the city’s first parklets, add reverse angled parking to the district, calm traffic, and improve street safety. Do you support implementation of the Colorado Blvd parklets pilot in the Playhouse District? Why or why not?

I support the parklet design in theory, and would like to see a similar model north of the 210. However, I would need to work with the three other District council people representing Old Pasadena, with the downtown residents and businesses to determine the overall economic and safety impact.

5. Bike share systems have started to be installed across Los Angeles County and are slated to expand to Pasadena, but as systems expand, experts foresee three major obstacles: stations that are discontinuous/too far apart, stations with unsafe walking conditions that limit access, and systems that are out of reach for low-income residents. What areas would you like to see bike share expanded to in and around Pasadena, and what should the City be doing to make these systems more accessible, affordable, and useful to all Pasadena residents?

Bike shares should exist in current business centers along North Lake, Orange Grove and Washington Blvds, in Washington Park and Villa Parke, and on Fair Oaks. Many of the residents in District 5 work in the service industries and bike to and from work on Colorado Blvd and Lake Ave. Having safe and reliable modes of transportation for these residents are a priority.

6. Pasadena’s local transit provider, Pasadena Transit, suffers from limited service, especially on weekends and evenings. Do you support improving Pasadena Transit headways and service to provide local residents with more viable transit options in the City? What methods can the City employ to fund better service?

I do support the expansion of Pasadena Transit. The city can look at earmarking TOT dollars for increased service.

Victor Gordo’s Response to Bike The Vote L.A.

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Below is 2017 Pasadena City Council District 5 Candidate Victor Gordo’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 those who live, work, and go to school in Pasadena?

I have always been a strong advocate of a walkable City and have always stressed this view in Council Planning policy.  I support our City’s Complete Street Program, our Pedestrian Plans, and our Bicycle Transportation Action Plan (all parts of the Mobility Element of our City’s General Plan). In our Council’s recent discussion of our next step in our Union Street Corridor protected bike lane, I supported moving forward while stressing the need to be broader in our outreach to include as many community voices as possible. Our City adds to the regional mass transit opportunities with dedicated Pasadena Transit buses strategically oriented to enhance active mobility. As a resident, I want to experience more mobility, and as a four term Councilperson, I have worked to increase mobility through active City Planning work that recognizes the importance of mobility for our residents and the City’s overall vibrance.

2. Pasadena’s traffic is compounded by the reality that many parents and workers don’t feel safe commuting even short distances or performing school drop-offs on foot or by bike. What would you do as Councilmember to improve active transportation options around schools, public transit, and in commercial districts to provide better transportation options for District 5 residents?

Our City is fortunate to have dedicated local transit, Pasadena Transit, to enhance regional transportation options that allow our residents to move about without a car. However, I know that we need to get beyond “allow” to actually encourage our residents to engage in active mobility. To that extent, I have supported protecting existing Pasadena Transit routes and increasing routes where possible. To increase visibility, our City recently updated our outreach to transit riders which included a updated looks to our transit buses and a name change. This action was more than cosmetic; it was aimed at increasing ridership.  I have supported our City Planning efforts that maximize mobility such as dedicated bike lanes throughout the City.  We currently are working on protected bike lanes for one of our East West corridors (Union Street), and I support increasing this approach. I was pleased that our City hosted a CicLavia 2015 event to increase awareness of mobility. My Council office also actively convenes regular meetings of businesses and abutting neighbors to enhance communication that fosters the goal of an enhanced mobility City. I will continue to advocate that our City expand all these efforts.

3. If elected, what would you do to reduce preventable, serious and fatal traffic collisions in the City of Pasadena? Would you support the implementation of a local Vision Zero policy?

District 5 is a densely populated district, and we’ve worked to improve traffic safety and reduce traffic injuries and fatalities.  My office advocated for and was successful at adding two new stop lights, one at Madison and Orange Grove Boulevard and one at Garfield and Orange Grove Boulevard with the last ten years. My Council office also regularly sponsors bike safety programs in our community centers and schools working with groups like Bike SGV and with our City’s own DOT and Police Department. I would support a Vision Zero policy and believe strongly that our City officials (including my office) and our community must work together to make our streets safe.

4. Over the past 3 years, Pasadena Playhouse District members, City staff, and local residents have worked on planning the Playhouse Parklets Pilot (www.playhouseparklets.org/). In the coming few months, a final decision will be made by the Council whether to move forward with implementing the pilot project, which would install the city’s first parklets, add reverse angled parking to the district, calm traffic, and improve street safety. Do you support implementation of the Colorado Blvd parklets pilot in the Playhouse District? Why or why not?

Although the program has its detractors, I believe our City and the route is uniquely suited to pilot the Playhouse Parklet project.  With Union Street (one-way traveling West-bound) paralleling Colorado on the North and Green Street (one-way traveling East-bound) paralleling Colorado to the South, we have a unique opportunity to demonstrate an enhanced pedestrian experience while being able to accommodate auto traffic flow, giving this Pilot a strong opportunity for success. I also hope that the success of this Pilot will increase the potential future use of parklets in other parts of our City.

5. Bike share systems have started to be installed across Los Angeles County and are slated to expand to Pasadena, but as systems expand, experts foresee three major obstacles: stations that are discontinuous/too far apart, stations with unsafe walking conditions that limit access, and systems that are out of reach for low-income residents. What areas would you like to see bike share expanded to in and around Pasadena, and what should the City be doing to make these systems more accessible, affordable, and useful to all Pasadena residents?

Our City is working to bring a Bike share program online this summer, and these issues are already under discussion in these plans.  Our City’s Bicycle Transportation Action Plan contemplates developing bicycle corridors that include Orange Grove Boulevard, Villa Street, Washington Boulevard and Wilson Avenue within District 5’s boundaries. District 5 also is one of our City’s most diverse districts with a substantial low-income population. With these base factors, my office will push for bike share opportunities in these areas both because it will be a resource for our low-income residents and also because the corridors provide a better environment to encourage bicycle riders. I also will point out that many of my constituents, who work in Old Pasadena and along Colorado Boulevard, already are bicycle riders, and I will continue my advocacy for their enhanced mobility.

6. Pasadena’s local transit provider, Pasadena Transit, suffers from limited service, especially on weekends and evenings. Do you support improving Pasadena Transit headways and service to provide local residents with more viable transit options in the City? What methods can the City employ to fund better service?

As a Councilmember, I have supported improving Pasadena Transit service where possible and, in a shrinking budget environment, have always supported protecting service from cuts. My office also has supported fare rates that endeavor to keep our Seniors and youth protected from increases.  The City has limited options for increases in budget.  However, my office supports an increased Transit Occupancy Tax (hotel tax), as well as the City receiving a greater proportion of this tax to provide funding for City services such as transit. I also have supported City staff actively searching out grants and other funding sources to increase transit and mobility services.

Aida Morales’ Response to Bike The Vote L.A.

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Below is 2017 Pasadena City Council District 5 Candidate

Aida Morales’ 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 those who live, work, and go to school in Pasadena?

I would like to see more bikes like some European countries.i also would like to see a few bikes with baskets to go to the market.

2. Pasadena’s traffic is compounded by the reality that many parents and workers don’t feel safe commuting even short distances or performing school drop-offs on foot or by bike. What would you do as Councilmember to improve active transportation options around schools, public transit, and in commercial districts to provide better transportation options for District 5 residents?

Better bike parking and bike lanes.

3. If elected, what would you do to reduce preventable, serious and fatal traffic collisions in the City of Pasadena? Would you support the implementation of a local Vision Zero policy?

I definitely support vision zero. Check corner of Del Mar and Marengo. Thank you

4. Over the past 3 years, Pasadena Playhouse District members, City staff, and local residents have worked on planning the Playhouse Parklets Pilot (www.playhouseparklets.org/). In the coming few months, a final decision will be made by the Council whether to move forward with implementing the pilot project, which would install the city’s first parklets, add reverse angled parking to the district, calm traffic, and improve street safety. Do you support implementation of the Colorado Blvd parklets pilot in the Playhouse District? Why or why not?

Yes because of the benefits you mention.

5. Bike share systems have started to be installed across Los Angeles County and are slated to expand to Pasadena, but as systems expand, experts foresee three major obstacles: stations that are discontinuous/too far apart, stations with unsafe walking conditions that limit access, and systems that are out of reach for low-income residents. What areas would you like to see bike share expanded to in and around Pasadena, and what should the City be doing to make these systems more accessible, affordable, and useful to all Pasadena residents?

City will save in street repair, medical cost (air) for low income residents. We can subsidize the bike fee if there is a will to do so.

6. Pasadena’s local transit provider, Pasadena Transit, suffers from limited service, especially on weekends and evenings. Do you support improving Pasadena Transit headways and service to provide local residents with more viable transit options in the City? What methods can the City employ to fund better service?

We subsidize the Art Bus.