As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition cannot endorse candidates for public office, but we are able to share information so that you can arrive at your own conclusion. Below are Healdsburg City Council candidates’ responses to our questionnaire on bicycling in Sonoma County. Thanks to the candidates for their time and thoughtful answers!
NOTE: Heather Hannan-Kramer is a member of SCBC.
LINDA CADE
Do you ride a bicycle in Sonoma County for transportation or recreation? How would you characterize the experience of cycling here? I currently do not have a bicycle, I have not used a bicycle for transportation since I could drive. Healdsburg is a very bikeable town and I have ridden recreationally plenty. I will have a bike again in the future as I do enjoy bike riding.
What are your community’s/Sonoma County’s biggest transportation challenges, and how does bicycling fit into your vision of future development? If Measure O passes and building high density commercial and housing up and down the Healdsburg Ave. corridor ensues, traffic will be significantly affected making it more dangerous for bike riders. If Measure O is defeated. it may be possible for simple bike lanes to be incorporated into our city but the Round a Bout with only one lane was not well thought out for cars or bicycles and I would advocate at least to have another lane added.
If elected, what will you do to improve cycling safety and encourage more people in the county to ride? Healdsburg would benefit from more bike lanes and bike racks. If people are going to be encouraged to ride more, there needs to be more places for parking bikes securely.
Our visions and goals are often tempered by available budgets, staff time and public focus. How will you seek to balance improving bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and safety with your other policy priorities? First I would eliminate the Blue Bird electric bike program. That experiment has failed. People would rather buy an electric bike than rent because it’s more cost effective. Does the bicycle coalition have resources to offer towards improving bike lanes and adding bike racks? If that’s the case, projects could be prioritized and expedited.
Are there any specific projects in your jurisdiction – either planned or imagined – that you are particularly excited to see implemented? I am excited about the Badger Park rennovations to include more access to the river. This would be an amazing venue to bike to and I would advocate some bike racks there as well!
RON EDWARDS
DAVID HAGELE
Do you ride a bicycle in Sonoma County for transportation or recreation? How would you characterize the experience of cycling here? I ride for recreation around town with my family, occasionally I’ll take my 29er BMX bike to the skate park and like mountain biking at our numerous parks
What are your community’s/Sonoma County’s biggest transportation challenges, and how does bicycling fit into your vision of future development? Funding is the biggest challenge. Once the SMART Train is here, it’ll allow cyclists to ride the train to Healdsburg, so a 100 mile ride and take the train back home vs. driving here & parking before a great ride. Funding for infrastructure improvements are a challenge as well, however, we have prioritized bike safety in recent projects.
If elected, what will you do to improve cycling safety and encourage more people in the county to ride? Continue to invest in the expansion of bike paths (I served as Chair of the Great Redwood Trail and board member) and add bike lanes (protected if possible) as we improve infrastructure & streets around the City.
Our visions and goals are often tempered by available budgets, staff time and public focus. How will you seek to balance improving bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and safety with your other policy priorities? See above. I have been consistent in working to balance the needs of our entire community with the understanding that bikes need more than one safe route through town, just as people in cars have multiple routes within town.
Are there any specific projects in your jurisdiction – either planned or imagined – that you are particularly excited to see implemented? Our Healdsburg Ave. Complete Streets Project will take a 5 lane former highway and put it on a road diet, add protected bike lanes and a safe evacuation route in case of an emergency. I played a key role in making sure this project was started.
HEATHER HANNAN-KRAMER
Do you ride a bicycle in Sonoma County for transportation or recreation? How would you characterize the experience of cycling here? Recreation cyclist (but my husband was a racer both road/mtn — he rides about 100 miles a week). Our experience has been mixed due to feeling unsafe in many spots around HBG.
What are your community’s/Sonoma County’s biggest transportation challenges, and how does bicycling fit into your vision of future development? I’m running in part to help highlight the desperate need for prioritizing better infrastructure (cycling, walking, etc) in HBG. More robust safety measures can be taken to elevate the cycling and walking experience here in HBG.
If elected, what will you do to improve cycling safety and encourage more people in the county to ride? I plan to be a beacon of light on these important infrastructure issues, championing a way forward to execute current plans for improvement, strategize on smart policy initiatives and execute effectively. Joining forces with local advocacy groups in town as well.
Our visions and goals are often tempered by available budgets, staff time and public focus. How will you seek to balance improving bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and safety with your other policy priorities? Be a loud voice on this important issue, push for continuity across leadership, ensure everyone (community wide and council wide) understand the critical importance of prioritizing safer infrastructure. The funds are there, it’s just a matter of collective buy-in.
Are there any specific projects in your jurisdiction – either planned or imagined – that you are particularly excited to see implemented? Climate Action Plan, Measure O, continue to work to address middle income affordability, economic diversity and of course this improvement in infrastructure.