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1. Do you support re-aligning municipal and regional transportation plans and investments to meet the provincial government’s CleanBC target to “reduce distances travelled in light-duty vehicles by 2030 compared to 2020″?
Yes, absolutely. Oak Bay residents have heard me consistently advocate for active transportation investments and development that can take advantage of transit. My goal for the next term is the construction of the basic network of active transportation infrastructure and adopting targets for mode shift.
2. Do you support making the default speed limit 30 km/h for streets without centrelines?
Yes. We have many such streets in Oak Bay and I have spoken consistently in favour of asking the province to contemplate lower speeds on residential streets. In addition, I have advocated for the removal of centrelines on residential streets where it creates the illusion of capacity for higher speeds, compromising safety.
3. Do you commit to budgeting sufficient funds to accelerate the Oak Bay Active Transportation Strategy?
Absolutely yes, and I have been the singular councillor advocating for such investment over the course of this term. I moved to have active transportation have a dedicated line item in the budget, and brought forward a strategic objective to increase that funding up to a potential $1 million. Our Active Transportation Strategy remains a useful and relevant document and I want to see the basic network outlined in that strategy implemented this term.
4. Do you support using neighbourhood-wide traffic calming to create low traffic neighbourhoods with much lower traffic volume with quick build materials?
Yes I do. The most critical areas these could be implemented are, not unsurprisingly around our schools- particularly Willows Elementary and north of Oak Bay High School. The drop-off periods in particular create challenging traffic conditions for kids to navigate and there are well established patterns of traffic diverting along residential side streets in order to avoid congestion. Addressing traffic volume in these areas should be done in concert with active transportation infrastructure provision to these areas.
5. How would you support making walking safer and more enjoyable in Oak Bay?
Implementing the basic active transportation network called for in the 2011 Active Transportation Strategy, and using complete streets principles in its implementation. We have recently completed consultations with the public on our Pedestrian and Sidewalk Master Plan- its recommendations will be the top priorities for encouraging walking.
6. Do you support building a network of all ages and abilities (“AAA”) bike and roll routes throughout Oak Bay?
Yes I do. The AAA design is now well recognized as the standard to generate increased adoption and more people taking up cycling as a transportation choice. The AAA standard is best placed to affect mode shift and encourage less confident users to engage.
7. Do you support welcoming people who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters to use all ages and abilities (AAA) bike and roll routes?
Yes I do, and this is particularly important in Oak Bay with a median resident age significantly above the regional average. I want to make sure that folks that use mobility aids feel supported, enthusiastic and confident to use their cars as little as possible.
8. Do you support rapidly completing bus lanes at key locations on busy bus routes in Oak Bay, including for BC Transit’s proposed RapidBus lines, as well as effective transit priority measures along all of BC Transit’s proposed RapidBus routes across the CRD?
I do support this direction. The potential effect on Oak Bay might be limited, but I certainly support the dedication of municipal infrastructure / road space to support the expansion of transit service and access to quicker transit options.
9. With the court-imposed deadline of March 14, 2023 to keep the Island Rail Corridor intact, how would you support modern rail service for Vancouver Island?
In my view, the first priority should be evaluating how the portion of the corridor from Goldstream to downtown could be repurposed for the provision of rapid transit services from the westshore. With the significant population expansion in this area, implementing this mode is critical.
10. Do you support making transit fares more affordable, both by reducing the cost of passes and individual fares and free or discounted passes for youth, seniors, and people living on low incomes?
Yes I do, and in fact I brought a (ultimately not supported) motion forward to our council to support the provision of subsidized free bus passes to Oak Bay youth. I am disappointed that this did not go ahead and would like to revisit it next term if re-elected.
11. Do you support removing the requirements for off-street vehicle parking from new and infill developments while adding requirements for car share, EV charging, bike and other micromobility parking, as well as expanding accessible parking?
Yes I do, and have clearly supported this at the council table – I voted against the mandatory off-street parking requirement for secondary suites and have consistently supported significant reductions in parking requirements for new development, including stating clearly that providing unnecessary parking incentivizes driving. The recent approval of the Casey’s market redevelopment, including significantly reduced parking in favour of bike facilities / bikeshare facilities is clearly the way forward in my view.
12. How would you activate and bring more people into public spaces within Oak Bay, including sidewalks, public squares, streets and parks?
We have great public space in Oak Bay, including waterfronts, parks and community villages. What can make them better is how we get there- less driving, more active modes. If we build more homes for people in our villages, and diversify housing across the District, we will have a greater diversity of neighbours that will be coming to our public spaces. As a former board member of the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network, I am a massive fan of community led placemaking projects such as public art, music and activations. Really the sky is the limit here!
13. Do you support adding substantively more accessible public bathrooms across Oak Bay?
I do, and I’ve heard this mentioned by many residents as I’ve been out on their doorsteps. The first place I’d like to see us look at bathroom expansion is McNeill Bay- to support the huge number of folks that come to Oak Bay to ramble and ride along the waterfront – they would be able to access these facilities as they travel between Gonzales and the Oak Bay Marina. A key location in my opinion!
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