Candidates for City Council asked about road shoulders, here are their responses.
Introduction
Squeaky Wheels asked the candidates in this fall’s election to the Bainbridge City Council about their positions on road shoulder improvements. We shared our position with them. Seven candidates replied. Our position statement and the candidates’ replies are below.
Squeaky Wheels’ position on paved road shoulders
Squeaky Wheels is a nonprofit on Bainbridge Island that supports bicycling. We believe paved shoulders are a practical way to make the main roads safer for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. We believe they should be a top priority for the City along with every other safety feature of roads.
Many roads lacking paved shoulders have become less safe due to increasing traffic. We want changes that will make the roads safer for everybody travelling on their feet or cycling – whether biking or walking to work or school or local stores, or getting to the bus, or enjoying time with kids or dogs – and for people in cars who want to pass them with ease.
This is not new to the City government. According to our Comprehensive Plan, the lack of shoulders puts cyclists and pedestrians at risk, many people do not feel safe walking or cycling outside Winslow, and safety for cyclists and pedestrians is increasingly important to many islanders. Shoulders appear directly in two major goals in the plan and indirectly in others. The City has made some good shoulder improvements, including the new ones on part of Miller Road. The best ones are six feet wide.
Unfortunately City action has slowed or stopped. The Council’s newest plan is to talk for another ten years about “sustainable” transportation goals – which include making it easier and safer to walk and cycle – with no action.
We think this is a mistake. Shoulders are simple. No action means no safety improvement. For ten years it probably means a safety decline due to increasing traffic.
Questions for City Council candidates
1. Do you favor paved shoulders that will increase safety on main island roads, including those with double-yellow center lines?
2. If so, how many miles of paved shoulders should the City create in the next few years?
3. If not, why not?
Download Candidates’ answers final.pdf
