Benjamin Sessions Answers to Salt Lake City 2017 City Council Election Candidate Questionnaire on Bicycling in Salt Lake City for Cycling Utah
Background: Cycling is a healthy and fun form of transportation and recreation that improves livability, health, and economy in Salt Lake City. We ask these questions to provide information to Salt Lake City’s citizens regarding your outlook on cycling. We will publish the answers on CyclingUtah.com as we receive them.
Candidate Information: Please provide your name, contact info for your campaign, council district (describe too) and if you like, a brief statement regarding your candidacy.
We live in an amazing place, but I believe we can make it better. I want to serve the community because I believe Sugar House is the Crown Jewel of Salt Lake City and I believe it should be preserved. We are the envy of the city because we have beautiful single family homes surrounding the most walkable business district in the valley. To maintain this, I want to make sure people feel safe in their homes and businesses, that our infrastructure is clean and well maintained, and that we preserve the authenticity of our neighborhoods.
Join me as we work to better our neighborhoods for our families and our future.
Thank you,
Benjamin J. Sessions
Candidate for City Council District 7
Council Candidate Questions:
- What is your vision for cycling (both road and mountain biking) in Salt Lake City? What would you do to make that vision happen (planning, budget, infrastructure, education, safety, economy, etc.)?
I would like to see improvement in our road and sidewalk infrastructure. Riding bikes on bad roads is a challenge. This would be my primary focus.
- What is the biggest issue for cyclists currently in Salt Lake City and what will you do to address it?
I think the biggest issue for cyclists are the potholes and fraying street edges that cause some cyclists to ride higher on the crest and closer to traffic.
- What would you like to see in your district in regards to bicycling?
I would like to see clean paved black top for our streets.
- In your district, the following is an issue for cyclists: 2100 S between 1700 E and 2300 E was supposed to get bike lanes according the 2015 Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan. Yet the administration chose not to install them recently.
What are your thoughts on this and what would you do on the Council to address it?
I think that this was a decision made by the neighborhood and based on the survey responses and open houses it appeared that the majority of neighbors did not want this change.
- What cycling initiatives would you bring to the Council?
I think any initiative that markets the idea of riding a bike to work is a good idea.
- Would you favor strengthening the Complete Streets Ordinance? If so, how? (http://www.bikeslc.com/GetInvolved/MasterPlansandPolicies/PDF/CompleteStreetsOrdinance.pdf)
I would need to see any specific proposal prior to voting on it.
- Regarding the proposal 10,000 Wheels for Affordable Transportation, what are your thoughts and would you commit to working to implement this if you are elected? (https://www.cyclingwest.com/advocacy/cycling-utah-calls-for-10000-wheels-initiative-for-affordable-transportation-in-utah/)
I think working to get private vs public funding for this initiative would be a better place to start looking for funding. - Regarding the proposal for a comprehensive recreational cycling plan for Salt Lake City, what are your thoughts and would you commit to working to implement this proposal if you are elected? (https://www.cyclingwest.com/advocacy/a-proposal-for-a-salt-lake-city-recreational-cycling-plan/)
There are ideas in this proposal that have merit and I would consider some of the proposals if I were elected.
- The 2015 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan was passed by the Council in 2015. What will you do to ensure its implementation?
I think that using the Master Plan as a guide is a great use of planning resources. Just being aware of the plans and discussing it as a council is a great first step.
- Do you ride a bicycle? Tell us more about how and where you ride.
Yes, I ride bikes typically more for recreation.
- Is there anything else you would like to add?
