Tempe Election 2012 – Candidates Q&A – Tempe Bicycle Action Group

As the largest cycling organization in Tempe, and one of the largest in the Valley, the TBAG board and membership are extremely interested in the upcoming Tempe mayoral and city council election. To help inform the voters of Tempe, we are sending out a list of questions to each candidate regarding their position on bicycle related policy, goals, and ideals.

Each candidate who responds will have their responses posted on this website and our social media outlets. Our goal is to get responses from each candidate before the primary election ends on March 13th.

TBAG has always maintained a good working relationship with the city council and Mayor Hallman. TBAG is looking forward to working with the new mayor and council members to promote a bicycle friendly environment.

Watch this website and our Facebook page to see the responses as we receive them.

Responses (check back for updates):

1. Council Candidate Kolby Granville:
https://www.biketempe.org/response-from-tempe-city-council-candidate-kolby-granville/

2. Council Candidate Dick Foreman:
https://www.biketempe.org/response-from-city-council-candidate-dick-foreman/

3. Council Candidate GC Saarup:
https://www.biketempe.org/response-from-city-council-candidate-gc-saarup/

4. Mayoral Candidate Linda Spears:
https://www.biketempe.org/response-from-mayoral-candidate-linda-spears/

5. Mayoral Candidate Mark Mitchell:
https://www.biketempe.org/response-from-mayoral-candidate-mark-mitchell/

6. Council Candidate Joel Navarro:
https://www.biketempe.org/response-from-tempe-city-council-candidate-joel-navarro/

7. Council Candidate Corey Woods:
https://www.biketempe.org/response-from-city-council-candidate-corey-woods/

8. Council Candidate Angie Taylor Thornton:
https://www.biketempe.org/response-from-council-candidate-angie-taylor-thornton/

Not Yet Responded:

Mayoral Candidate Michael Monti

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The following questions were sent to each candidate for Tempe Mayor and City Council:

Tempe Bicycle Action Group is a nonprofit organization that reaches thousands of participants annually with events and safety programs which aim to make bicycling a prominent, safe and convenient form of transportation and recreation in Tempe.

To help inform the voters of Tempe during the upcoming election, we have attached questions to the bottom of this message regarding your position on bicycle related policy, goals, and ideals.

Your responses will be read by hundreds of local residents on our website www.biketempe.org, social media, email list, etc. Please reply as soon as you can so we can publish your answers. At the latest by March 12th.

Personal questions

Do you ride a bicycle on the valley area roads/trails and why?
Do you think cycling in Tempe is safe for you, your family members and friends? What would do do to improve the safety of the cycling environment?”
What have you done or worked on in the past that shows your record of being involved in bicycle safety or road/trail improvement campaigns? Please elaborate.

Specific improvements in Tempe

Where do you think cycling fits in Tempe or any city’s transportation infrastructure and planning?
Many streets in Tempe do not have bike lanes (Broadway Road, Rural Road, McClintock Drive, Southern Avenue) and are not comfortable for any users other than automobile drivers. What measures would you support to improve the state of bike lane frequency in Tempe (i.e. road diets, shared spaces for bikes/buses, increased bike lanes)?
How will you work with ADOT to obtain more bicycle and pedestrian facilities adjacent to and over the local freeway system like Country Club Way and Alameda Drive? Bicyclists have requested freeway crossings at Alameda and the I-10 and the Western Canal and I-10 and Balboa and 101 etc…
The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is surrounded by roadway devoid of bike lanes. How would you make the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport accessible by bike?

Tempe’s cycling image in the US

How would you increase Tempe’s standing in the broader bicycle community? For example, how would you help Tempe grow from its “silver” status with the League of American Bicyclists to a “platinum” status?

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Tempe Bicycle Action Group is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization working to make bicycling a prominent, safe and convenient form of transportation and recreation in Tempe, Arizona and surrounding areas through education, grassroots events, and civic participation. The organization reaches out thousands of local bicycle enthusiasts each year with events, rides, and both adult and youth educational programs.
TBAG aims to coordinate Tempe area cyclists to speak with a unified voice on bicycle related issues. As the largest local bicycle advocacy organization, TBAG has been fortunate to have maintained a good working relationship with the City Council and Mayor Hallman. TBAG is excited to continue to work with local officials to promote a bicycle friendly environment.