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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. this must be a priority. Following the recommendations we put forth on the Oak Bay Climate Action working group, I will continue to advocate for cohesive cycling infrastructure and safe routes to school as well as increased transit service and safe walkable compact communities. I will advocate to remove the parking requirement for housing a car, and to provide more options for safe bike racks.
2. Do you support making the default speed limit 30 km/h for streets without centrelines?
This is something I would definitely consider supporting. I would want to have community engagement / information sessions around the importance of lower speeds to reduce accident severity. I would want to have a community conversation around this topic. I have seen this topic create friction and division between residents and I would want to approach it as an opportunity for community learning and to gain support from residents.
3. Do you commit to budgeting sufficient funds to accelerate the Oak Bay Active Transportation Strategy?
I spoke to and supported the motion at council this past week to increase active transportation funding. I emphasized how active transportation is likely the most impactful initiative with regards to reducing our municipal carbon footprint. Safe routes to school and allowing residents to leave their cars at home is a top priority for me. I will continue to push for implementing a cohesive cycling infrastructure plan as part of our infrastructure renewal over the next few years. There is multi-level government funding available if we have a shovel ready design in place.
4. Do you support using neighbourhood-wide traffic calming to create low traffic neighbourhoods with much lower traffic volume with quick build materials?
Yes. And I believe that these often artful, creative traffic calming solutions can be more beautiful, impactful and flexible than traditional expensive curb bump-outs. Covid showed us the ability to try out temporary measures to make sidewalks and crossings wider and safer. Residents have waited a long time for safer active transportation. Let’s try out some easy, quick, fun solutions and see how they work!
5. How would you support making walking safer and more enjoyable in Oak Bay?
I would prioritize curb cuts at intersections for strollers, wheelchairs and walkers, adequate street lighting, adding sidewalks on busy roads that lack them, wider sidewalks and shorter crossings at intersections. Most importantly, I would support a study and implementation of key routes to school where dangerous intersections are improved. I would also recommend an app or system where residents can write in with safety concerns and get a response from engineering with how and when specific issues will be addressed.
6. Do you support building a network of all ages and abilities (“AAA”) bike and roll routes throughout Oak Bay?
I support a cycling network for all ages, that allows more residents to feel safe cycling, resulting in less car use. In much of Oak Bay this may be accomplished with shared and advisory lane solutions on traffic calmed roads. I am open to protected bike lanes should they be deemed safest on busier roads where speeds are greater than 40 km/hr.
7. Do you support welcoming people who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters to use all ages and abilities (AAA) bike and roll routes?
People that use wheelchairs and mobility scooters need to feel welcome to travel where they want to travel and to feel safe. I would want to hear pros and cons for this approach and hear from all user groups before deciding. I would also imagine the design of the bike lanes and the width of the sidewalk would impact the success of the solution.
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 have trouble imagining that our roads have the capacity to handle this type of approach. I would need to see a proposal with a design for Oak Bay. I am very much in favour of increased transit as a climate action solution, particularly where we are providing more service to under-utilized areas where new riders can choose to leave their car behind. Service every 30-40 minutes is not reliable enough to give up your car.
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?
It is vital that we keep this transportation corridor. I would work regionally to find ways to show our support and to facilitate multi-level government solutions. We need transportation options and we need to shift funding away from a car-centric focus to meet our climate objectives. I would illustrate the cost and environmental impact of the poorer alternate strategy of a second highway.. What will we think of our decision 50 years from now? Earnest Indigenous engagement is vital to the success of this project.
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?
I primarily support free passes for youth up to 18 years to train a new generation of transit riders. I would additionally support free passes for seniors and those on low income. I support creative initiatives that increase ridership.
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?
Primarily yes. I think we can learn a lot from other municipalities and not pave over our green spaces. There are some infill housing strategies such as apartments, multiplexes and subdivisions, where reduced parking requirements will be the most sensible solution in combination with sustainable options.
12. How would you activate and bring more people into public spaces within Oak Bay, including sidewalks, public squares, streets and parks?
The Oak Bay Night Market has achieved this goal. We need to activate public spaces with amenities for all ages; seating, nature, cafes, playgrounds, stages, water features, housing nearby, bike racks, transit stops, art, sports facilities etc.,
13. Do you support adding substantively more accessible public bathrooms across Oak Bay?
Yes. This is very important, especially with the goal of increased tourism. It is one aspect of providing an inclusive, welcoming and accessible community.
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