Q&A
What would you do to address the following issues facing the Davis Downtown area that compromise its sustainability and vibrancy:
- Awkwardness of transportation connections to and from campus cultural resources, particularly Mondavi Center events, Aggie games, etc.
- The creation of sufficient parking in quantified terms (hours/spaces/fees/locations) to promote longer, heavier use of Downtown both before and after the close of daylight business hours
- Street safety throughout the Downtown as well as the major arterial streets (e.g. across 5th Street from A through L Streets)
[Don's response:] I believe that this reduction in the percentage of work commute trips by bicycle is correlated with an increase in the number of work commute trips overall and an increase in the percentage of commute trips involving people driving from Davis to destinations in other cities and people driving from other cities to work in Davis.
I look forward to reviewing the updated Bicycle Master Plan to chart our future course of action. At this point, it is clear that we need actions in the following areas:
- Establish funding for bicycle infrastructure improvements that enables us to be proactive.
- Address trouble spots in the bike route network to improve safety and reduce autopmobile/bike interactions at key locations.
- Work with the schools to encourage kids to walk, bike, or skate to school.
- Continue to focus on the arterials and collector streets for ways oif handlign green waste. Montiro the dual striping plan to see how effective it is.
I think it is time for us to be creative and responsible about carbon emissions and our contribution to the global issue of greenhouse gases. Davis has done a lot to encourage biking. We are way ahead of almost everyone when it comes to promoting bikes and providing safe routes.
But, as we look into a future we need to plan for how we will adapt to $5 per gallon gasoline and global warming. People will still need to go to the grocery store, get to work and school, etc and we have to make it easier for them.
I think we need to make it possible for people who work in Davis to choose to live in Davis. Indeed, if the state is to meet the emission reduction targets set in AB 32, we will all have to reduce our "vehicle miles travelled." I think smart growth planning for infill and density and providing jobs closer to where people live are key elements.
The City of Davis, as an employer, has a program where we purchase bikes for use by employees to get to and from work, and to go about their business during the day. I don't see why we can't work with private businesses and the University to extend this program.
Finally, I strongly support the establishment of a Davis Bicycle Center and Museum to celebrate our community commitment to bicycling, showcase our unique collection of antique bicycles and provide a variety of services such as maps and bicycle information, repairs, and loaner bikes.
