2024 Election: Candidate responses to our questionnaire

Nicholas’ Response

1. Do you walk or bike in Mt. View? If so, where? And what has the experience been like for you?

1. I skateboard and walk in Mountain View. I’ve found the experience to be positive overall, though sometimes I opt to use the street because sidewalk pavement is uneven. This isn’t just an issue for skateboarders, but more so for people with disabilities. I’ve advocated at City Council meetings for more outreach to residents during our ADA self-evaluation process.

2. Which areas of Mt. View do you consider to be safe and comfortable for biking and walking, and which areas do you think need improvement?

2. The safest and most comfortable areas for biking and walking are our trails, including the Stevens Creek Trail, Permanente Creek Trail, and the Bay Trail. Our residential neighborhoods have good sidewalks, though some are a little narrow. Biking safety varies considerably across neighborhoods, with the most dense neighborhoods being the least comfortable to bike in. Rengstorff Avenue and Shoreline Boulevard are among the most dangerous roads, according to the Vision Zero Plan, due to their high velocity and large volume of users.

3. How specifically would you improve those areas that you think need improvement?

3. First, the City Council needs to adopt the mindset that transportation safety is as important as conventional police or fire services. Almost 50% of our budget goes to the Police and Fire Departments, and we need to supplement funding for the Public Works Department to facilitate infrastructure improvements. Significant funding is available from VTA Measure B, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the California Transportation Commission, among other state sources, and our Council has to encourage staff to apply for grant opportunities.

Second, we need to build infrastructure that is cost-effective and environmentally sustainable. Developers should be required to widen sidewalks adjacent to their properties when residential or commercial projects will increase pedestrian traffic. We can require this with revisions to our precise plans. When the city takes on complete streets projects, we must ensure that we focus on sustainable infrastructure such as bioswale and street trees.

Third, we need to increase public education in partnership with local stakeholders such as neighborhood associations, schools, and businesses. The Vision Zero Plan is starting to raise good awareness with our “Drive Wisely” campaign. We should keep up the momentum by exploring different strategies such as hosting safe driving workshops with the DMV.

4. How should Mt. View implement its Vision Zero Action Plan, adopted by the City Council on September 10, to eliminate fatal traffic collisions in the city?

4. The Vision Zero Action Plan creates the framework for Mountain View to strengthen transportation safety for years to come. I applaud the City’s outreach process and thoughtful plan design. We need to target the High Injury Network Corridors first. High visibility crosswalks and pedestrian signal improvements, like giving pedestrians the right to cross before a light turns green, are two cost-effective solutions to make dangerous intersections safer for pedestrians. I believe that Class-IV protected bike lanes are the gold standard and we can use low-cost barriers such as posts while funding is secured for more permanent, well-designed solutions. As the Vision Zero Plan specifies, we should think about equity when prioritizing projects, taking into account the income level and minority status of the neighborhoods being served by our investments.

5. What should be done to make it safe for children to bike and walk to school in all Mt. View neighborhoods?

5. Safe Routes to School need more crossing guards and signage so the community knows where safe routes are. I love the paws painted by Ryan Chen around Landels Elementary School. The City and school districts could fund a similar public art project around other campuses. We should also explore street signs similar to the signs that demarcate bike routes. Critically, Safe Routes need to be prioritized in our Vision Zero infrastructure improvements, and we should host more bike and pedestrian safety courses with our students through the Library, View Teen Center, and summer camps.