In November the City of Bend will be electing new city councilors. We sent all of the candidates a questionnaire to find out their thoughts on some issues related to biking in Bend. The questions we asked were as follows:
- The Hawthorne Bridge is a major investment for the city. It currently doesn’t connect to bike routes on either side of the bridge. What should the city do to ensure this major investment is a safe, useful, and enjoyable walking and biking route connecting the east and west sides of Bend?
- The public involvement process for transportation projects gives the public limited opportunity to influence the purpose and intent or the design of these projects. How will you improve the process to ensure voices of diverse community members are heard and needs of all transportation system users are addressed with new projects?
- Most of the streets in Bend make people driving vehicles feel comfortable traveling much faster than the posted speed limit. Our street standards ensure that new and redesigned streets are built much the same way. With research showing that design elements like road width affect travel speed and subsequent risk of traffic crashes, how will you ensure that the safety of people is prioritized on our public streets?
Position #1 Candidates
Megan Norris
- We need a complete, connected bicycle/pedestrian network across our city and I will work hard to ensure that funds are leveraged and spent effectively to move towards making these critical connections a reality.
- I concur that we can and should improve the public input and review process for transportation projects to increase the opportunity for the public to comment both on the efficacy of projects as well as their design. In that regard, I believe that we should consider establishing a Transportation Committee (akin to other committees – e.g. Environment and Climate, Budget, etc.) that would review transportation projects in a coordinated fashion and provide the community with a centralized venue for public input. In addition, I support providing project plans at an earlier stage to allow timely public input on proposed designs.
- I believe strongly that we should review our roadway standards to ensure that they encourage safety, not speed, and that they safely accommodate and encourage bicycling, walking, and neighborhood interaction. In my personal experience, I have seen the historical acquiescence to accommodating cars at the expense of community and am a strong advocate for designs – such as separated sidewalks, protected bike lanes, tree lined streets – that support livable neighborhoods, increase safety, and protect pedestrians and bicyclists.
Jonathan A. Curtis
No responses provided.
Position #2 Candidate
Gina Franzosa
- The Hawthorne Bridge is billed as the bike and pedestrian connector over the parkway and railroad, so it absolutely has to connect to bike routes and an accessible sidewalk network, otherwise it won’t be used and won’t meet its intended purpose. Connections between bike and ped routes are an issue across the City with quality trails dead-ending and poor signage and unsafe streets making it difficult to know which way to walk or bike without consulting a map. Cost is cited as the reason why our bike and sidewalk networks are confusing and incomplete. If cost is truly the barrier, then what I would push for are low cost investments in signage and road striping to at least show the connections, with the understanding that better bike/ped infrastructure will be built in the future as funding allows.
- Sitting on both the Transportation Bond Oversight Committee and on the River West Neighborhood Board, I have seen firsthand how transportation projects are designed without community input and when it becomes obvious that the community input was valid, projects need to be redesigned, wasting not only public funds but also time when street safety improvements are urgently needed. I’d push for two things – first, community input must be sought earlier in project development in the scoping phase, not the schematic design phase. Second, community input needs to be responded to directly and the feedback loop closed; too often projects are designed and no explanations are given to the public as to why safety measures requested by the public are not incorporated.
- Modernizing the City’s Engineering Standards and Development Code are among my top priorities. Standard driving lane widths are too wide, encouraging speeding, and the standards do not include basic traffic calming features. Not only are the City’s standards antiquated and promote vehicle speed over bike and pedestrian safety, but wider roads are also more expensive to build and are depleting both the Transportation GO Bond and Streets funds faster than anticipated.
Position #3 Candidates
Nick Cerveny
- I am firmly convinced that the safety of cyclists can only be assured when they are entirely isolated from vehicular traffic. The undeniable threat posed by cars to bikes necessitates a radical separation. My proposal involves constructing a comprehensive network of cycling tunnels:
Design and Functionality: These tunnels would span several miles, creating a subterranean network that links key areas of the city – Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast – converging at a central hub. This hub would not only facilitate transfers but also serve as a community space or informational center.
Safety and Comfort: Tunnels would be designed with optimal lighting, ventilation, and emergency exits, ensuring they are not just safe but also pleasant for daily commuting or leisurely rides.
Integration: The tunnel entrances would be strategically placed near existing bike routes, public transit nodes, and densely populated areas, making the transition seamless for users.
Financing this ambitious project would require:
Government Grants: Leveraging funds from federal or state programs aimed at sustainable transportation and urban development.
Tourist Revenue: Implementing a pass system where tourists could purchase access to these tunnels, combining transportation with a unique experience of the city.
Public Bond: Presenting this as a visionary project to the residents through a bond measure, allowing the community to directly invest in their future mobility.
This tunnel system would not only revolutionize cycling safety in our city but also set a precedent for innovative urban design, focusing on health, environmental benefits, and the overall quality of life. - There seems to be a significant misunderstanding within our city council between effective communication and perceived opposition concerning bike infrastructure. The reluctance from the community might not just be about the desire for smoother vehicle traffic but a deeper concern for safety and utility. Here’s how we can address these issues:
Clarify Communication: It’s essential to differentiate between genuine opposition and a lack of understanding. We need to explain the benefits of bike infrastructure, not just as a nuisance to traffic but as a vital component of sustainable urban living.
Acknowledge Traffic Concerns: Yes, there’s a valid argument that bike lanes can complicate traffic flow. However, this should lead to innovative solutions, not dismissal of bike routes.
Bike Tunnels as a Solution: Given our city’s commitment to zero vehicle-related bicycle fatalities, bike tunnels represent the ultimate safety measure. They eliminate the ‘oxymoron’ of bike lanes on roads by completely separating modes of transport.
Demonstrate Viability: To gain public support, we must show a practical plan where families can cycle safely across Bend in all weather conditions, through tunnels. This vision must be backed by engineering feasibility studies, cost analyses, and community engagement models.
Engage with a Vision: Presenting the concept of bike tunnels could transform public discourse. Showcasing how this infrastructure would not only prevent accidents but also enhance the city’s livability, could shift opposition to curiosity and eventually, support.
By focusing on bike tunnels, we’re not just addressing the immediate concerns about safety and traffic but setting a precedent for visionary urban planning that prioritizes human life and environmental sustainability. This approach could redefine how we think about transportation in our city, making bike travel not just a choice but a preferred, safe, and year-round option. - Emergency Vehicle Access: Ensuring our first responders can move swiftly through the city is non-negotiable. While bike tunnels might not directly aid this, they contribute by potentially reducing overall vehicle congestion, indirectly benefiting emergency services.
Police Speed Checks: I’d advocate for a strategic approach to policing, where resources are smartly allocated for routine speed enforcement. When speeding becomes a non-issue due to consistent enforcement, it indirectly aids emergency response by keeping roads safer and clearer.
Health as Infrastructure: My military service taught me the value of preventative health. Encouraging active lifestyles through enhanced bike infrastructure isn’t just about transportation; it’s about reducing the health emergencies that burden our system.
Integrated Solutions: While not directly quoted on this, my approach would likely involve integrating technology for real-time traffic management to prioritize emergency vehicles. This, combined with infrastructure promoting less vehicle dependency, creates a holistic solution.
Engineering Perspective: My engineering mindset would push for innovative solutions. Whether it’s designing bike tunnels or optimizing traffic flow, the goal is always to enhance community welfare through well-thought-out infrastructure projects.
Ultimately, bike tunnels serve as a pivotal enhancement for the utility of bicycles, presenting them not just as an alternative but as a preferred mode of transport in certain contexts. The concept isn’t about confining all cycling to tunnels but rather integrating these tunnels seamlessly with the existing network of bike paths and city infrastructure. This approach offers a tangible solution with initial high investment costs, offset by:
Economic Benefits: The tunnels could attract tourism, offering a unique city experience while generating revenue through controlled access.
Low Maintenance: Once constructed, these tunnels would require minimal upkeep compared to traditional road maintenance, offering long-term cost savings.
This solution not only addresses safety and encourages cycling but also positions our city as innovative, fostering both economic and health benefits. I’d be happy to discuss details regarding the feasibility and cost effectiveness of tunnels. I am an outside the box thinker, and I can tell you, this will bring the city together and serve as an example for others to follow. Bend is and will be the shining city on a hill.
Megan Perkins
- I believe the bridge design we chose will provide safety for those who walk and ride by avoiding big curves, is ADA accessible, and the landings going up and down will slow down bikes. The two goals are to create crosstown bikeways and a Juniper to Drake corridor and use the Hawthorne bridge as the centerpiece of those connections once it is built
- The open house concept has been really key for public input on transportation/infrastructure projects. But we need to do better at ensuring we expand who we are hearing from and explaining why it’s important for residents of all modes of transportation to participate from the earliest possible part of the project. But oftentimes the way to have the most impact is during large scale community efforts like the Comprehensive Plan or the TSP or the Growth Plan we will be delving into over the next years.
- Council is taking a deep dive at traffic speeds right now to determine what we can do to slow down cars. I believe Greenwood will be an important test case as something that is not that expensive (in the grand scheme of transportation projects) and can be implemented quickly but has the potential to make the roads safer for bikers and pedestrians and slows down cars all at once.
Position #4 Candidates
Steve Platt
- As this design is only in the very early phases, significant details remain to be ironed out as the final design is approved. The goal of the Hawthorne Bridge IS to be a major artery for East-West multi-modal active transit and the bridge can only serve this function with safe and well-thought-out connections to bike/walk/roll routes leading to the bridge. I would support modifications to the design to ensure connections that multi-modal routes are included on either side of the design to ensure this crossing point is used to the fullest extent possible.
- I believe that all transportation projects should be thoroughly and transparently debated in public and with diverse opinions at the table. This means increasing opportunities for public input during the initial phases of the project and making sure those opportunities are widely communicated across Bend and accessible to all community members. Both the Citywide Transportation Advisory Committee and the Human Rights and Equity Commission could be leveraged to greater effect in this particular area. I would like continue this process to incorporate more community input in the early stages of the next iteration of the transportation system plan, as well.
- I believe that the future of Bend is best focused on a people-centered, rather than vehicle-centered design standard. This means that safe multi-modal active transportation becomes more attractive to ALL members of our community regardless of age, ability, or familiarity. I agree that infrastructure does help dictate driver behavior and I will push for people-centered standards for any designs and projects I approve on council. As our transportation patterns shift, I believe we can make it easier for more people to get around Bend people by providing safer modes of travel for everyone sharing the road.
Chet Wamboldt
- There are many missing pieces to the City’s Bicycle route planning. Some missing data includes: what percentage of Bend residents ride bicycles? How often do they ride them? In what conditions do they ride them? What percentage increase would be considered successful? I have asked many people at council meetings, and proponents of bicycle culture in Bend, no one has offered these numbers. To be clear, I ride my bike regularly, but if we are going to improve the system, we first need to know where we are.
- My number one goal is to represent the citizens of Bend. My entire platform is based on going door to door and asking Bend citizens “what kind of changes do you want to see in Bend”. Most of them say the same things
Too much Traffic
too expensive for the middle class to own a home
too many homeless folks
My entire campaign is modeled around addressing these issues, we need leaders who will represent our community’s concerns rather than ignoring them - Safety and flow of traffic is a huge topic of concern in Bend. People want to be able to get around as quickly and efficiently as possible, our town is growing and we must plan for the future so that our town functions as best as possible for as many citizens as possible.
Barb Campbell
- it seems certain we are going to have to at least close the “right out“ exit from the parkway onto Hawthorne. I have met with our traffic engineers and no one has found a way to continue to have cars coming off the parkway, interacting with folks coming off the new bridge safely. I think it will be important to help the community understand that ODOT has always intended to close that exit. Those types of exits have extremely high crash rates. We might also close the Hawthorne entrance to the parkway for all the same reasons. But with or without the bridge, ODOT would eventually close that intersection. That’s on the Downtown side.
On the east side, I see two projects in the immediate future. The first is just finding a bike route through Juniper Park. We want kids from Bend High to be able to come from Sixth Street, get across Franklin safely and then get through the parking lot, or preferably not!, at Juniper Park on their way to the bridge or wherever they’re going.
The second puzzle on the east side is crossing Third Street. There is a pedestrian in crossing there, but I have heard testimony from bicyclists that it doesn’t work well at all for bikes.
This is the main reason I voted for the least expensive bridge design. Staff has told me they are still looking into whether or not we can spend some of the grant funds we have acquired on the whole corridor, not just the bridge itself. - We’ve added a new type of meeting, a roundtable, in order to have actual discussions between City Council and community members. I have been happy with the round tables. We have already held and hope we can continue to use those with more people.
The real key we are finding is that we have got to reach out to the community. We can’t just put notifications out in limited locations and hope to get a response from a diverse number of voices.
I also believe we have to take the time to try harder if we don’t have a diverse and inclusive group of people come forward to participate. In my first years on Council All, there was the idea that “if they don’t apply, we can’t appoint them.” I have led the change to our philosophy. If “they” don’t apply, we now try again to recruit and let community members know we are looking for participants with different perspectives. - I have been working to get the City of Bend to focus on safety since before I was elected in 2014. I had created a community organization called “Slower, Safer Bend.” and I think it is about time to bring back our “neighborhood pace car“ program. I have continued with that focus my entire time on Council. As the chair of the Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization, I have worked with staff to bring in Safe Routes to Schools grant money, cycle after cycle (pun intended). All of the green paint for safety in bike lanes in Bend is because of my advocacy on the Bend MPO. But we know that paint does not keep bicyclists safe from motor vehicles. Most important is building separated paths for pedestrians and bicyclists. I was also able to bring in money to purchase a small sweeper and plow for those types of paths and for our new protected bike lanes.
I am dedicated to not making the same mistakes our city planners made in the past. As the question implies, street design is what actually determines the speed drivers are traveling. I absolutely will continue to advocate for narrower streets and for innovative infrastructure like bump-outs, and curb extensions.