Ward 15 – Matt Zone Responses

Bike Cleveland Cleveland City Council Candidate Questionnaire

Candidate Name: Matt Zone
Council Ward 15 Candidate

Q. What roles do you think city council can play in making cities safe, accessible and friendly for biking?
A.  The Council monitors the operation and performance of city agencies, makes land use decisions and has sole responsibility for approving the city’s budget. It also legislates on a wide range of other subjects. Cleveland City Council needs to continue to advocate for equity when it comes to allocation of transportation resources.

Q. Funding for bikeways and other bicycle improvements and programs in Cleveland is currently derived from a mix of local, regional, and federal grants. Do you support an increase in dedicated funds in the City of Cleveland capital budget to install a safe, connected network of bike facilities?
A. Yes

Q. Do you have ideas for securing other funding for biking projects in Cleveland?
A.  The Council is an equal partner with the Mayor in governing the City of Cleveland. As the legislative body, the Council makes and passes the laws governing the city, to that end, the priority needs to be established from the council.

Q. In January 2012 the City of Cleveland’s Complete and Green Streets Ordinance went into effect. The ordinance requires implementation of sustainable policies and guidelines in all construction projects within the public right of way. What will you do to ensure that the city incorporates Complete and Green Streets policies and practices into road projects within your ward? How will you measure success?
A. As one of the original co-sponsor of this ordinance, I make sure that all “new” infrastructure projects honor the intent of the legislation.

Q. In what ways can enhanced bicycling facilities and opportunities benefit your ward and the city as a whole? Are there any specific projects that you’d like to see accomplished?
A. I would love to see a complete network of cycle tracks and striped lanes as part of the Lakefront West plan.

Q. Cities across the United States are installing protected bicycle lanes (a.k.a. cycletracks) to create a stress-free biking environment and to encourage “interested but concerned” people to ride a bike. Do you support the installation of bike infrastructure like buffered bike lanes, protected bike lanes, and bike boxes on Cleveland streets? YES/NO
A. Yes

Q. Are you in favor of Bike Boxes (i.e. former shipping containers converted to bike parking) being placed in a parking lane on city streets?
A. Yes, I have been an active supporter of the bike box concept in our city.

Q. In just about every neighborhood throughout the city, one of the top concerns is drivers driving too fast, aggressively, and not safely sharing the road with people on bikes. What ideas do you have to calm traffic and make our neighborhoods safer and more comfortable in which to ride a bike? Feel free to talk about particular problem spots in your ward.
A. It is critical that all new development take biking and pedestrian safety into account equally with parking and car traffic. Additionally, Council can advocate for more bike lanes, signage, police training, and enforcement. It is critical that Council use the bully pulpit to advocate for critical changes.

Q. According to the 2012 Census almost 28% of Clevelanders do not have access to a car, how would you go about re-examining road projects to take into account the transportation needs of all city residents, improve safety, and enhance the livability of Cleveland neighborhoods?
A. Equity for all modes of transportation.

Q. What do you think is the number one risk to people on bikes both in your ward and the city as a whole? What have you done/will you do as an elected official to remedy it?
A. Education. We need to educate motorists to share the road equally with cyclists/pedestrians. Greater Cleveland’s need to change the mentality of drivers in this city to respect the rights and safety of cyclists/pedestrians. I worked with Commander Keith Sulzer to air on our public access station TV 20 an awareness campaign around cycling. Share the Road

See responses from all candidates at BikeCleveland.org/I-bike-I-vote