VOTING FOR SAFE, EQUITABLE, SUSTAINABLE STREETS

The Providence Streets Coalition is rallying residents to get out to vote in local elections this year—including the races for Governor, Mayor, and City Council. On this page:

  1. Get information about the elections: registration deadlines, mail ballots, and early voting info. Make a plan to vote!
  2. Sign our pledge to vote and to make streets for people an issue at the ballot box!
  3. Read the answers to our survey of Mayoral and Council candidates
  4. Add your voice to the letter on transportation signed by 36 organizations to the candidates for Governor
  5. Sign up to host a free PSC yard sign to let your neighbors know that mobility is a top issue for you and your family!
  1. From the Board of Elections website:
 
DateCoverageElection TypeVoter Registration DeadlineMail Ballot Application DeadlineEarly Voting
9/13/2022Rhode Island Primary ElectionPrimary Election8/14/2022**8/23/2022*8/24/2022
11/08/2022Rhode Island General ElectionGeneral Election10/09/202210/18/2022*10/19/2022

*The Emergency Mail Ballot period extends from the day after the Mail Ballot Application deadline up until 4pm the day before the election Emergency Mail Ballots can be requested at your local Board of Canvassers.

**To vote in a party primary you must disaffiliate from any other party at least 30 days before the primary date.

Early Voting is available during the specific business hours of each city and town’s Board of Canvassers for more information click here.

 

Pledge to Vote

Sign below to commit to voting and then read our voter guide below. We’ll share this info with lawmakers to make the case that they should care about our issues. The more people who sign, the more power we’ll wield!

Where Providence’s Mayoral and City Council Candidates Stand on Safer Streets, Transportation Choices, and Mobility Justice

 

Responses below come from the Providence Streets Coalition’s candidate questionnaire, developed with our partners and volunteers, which was sent to all candidates for mayor and city council.

THANK YOU to all the candidates who answered our questions – all three mayoral candidates, and 20 out of the 40 City Council candidates. (For a list of candidates who did not respond, scroll to the bottom of the questionnaire.)

Click the + sign on the left to read the comments from each candidate. There are 12 questions total. 

The Providence Streets Coalition is fiscally sponsored by a 501c3 and therefore cannot and will not make any endorsements in local elections.

1. How do you personally travel around Providence? Is that working for you? How does mobility affect your life, your job, your family? How would you ideally like to get around Providence and what would need to happen to make that a reality?

I travel mostly by car and walking. This works for Jim and I and we’re lucky to live in a walkable city like Providence. I’ve lived in cities like Chicago though, and was an active user of their public transportation because it was reliable and accessible. Increasing public transportation access and accountability would undoubtedly increase ridership in our city and state. We’re a small enough community that we could make it work well.

I travel mostly by car, whether in my own or via Uber, although I try to use my bike as often as possible. Before, when I had a regular job schedule, I took the bus several times a month, depending on schedule and weather. I would like to increase my bike travel as it is fun, occasionally quicker than using a car in the city and also helps me get some exercise in. I think I would have to have a much more reliable schedule in order to consistently bike to work.

I drive, ride the bus, and ride my bike to get around Providence. I am lucky to live within walking distance of two bus lines, the R and 1 line. The rise of gas prices has become a significant financial burden on many people in Providence, including myself. When my car broke down in February, I relied on the bus, my bike, and walking to get around. During the spring and summers, my family and I try to ride our bikes more often for our commute, especially now with the rise of gas prices and the ongoing climate crisis.

As a City Council member, I have sponsored initiatives such as the Green and Complete Streets’ ordinance which paves the way for safer streets in Providence, while codifying the City’s commitment to developing infrastructure that is safe, reliable, sustainable, and accommodating to all residents. That means people who drive cars, bike, walk or use a wheelchair should have access to safe streets to travel. We need to ensure that we are doing a citywide survey of our streets to begin taking what we have learned in doing the N. Main St. study and apply it to other parts of the City so that every neighborhood has access to safe streets with multi-modal options.

I personally travel around Providence in many different ways: by foot, by bike, by Uber/Lyft, and very occasionally by bus. My partner and I share a car, and I’ve made the very intentional decision to live as close as I can to my workplace. As such, Monday through Friday, I walk a little over a quarter mile to work in the morning and then a little over a quarter mile back home in the afternoon. I used to bike to work, but then my bike was sadly stolen, so I’ve just walked to work and have been doing so for years. Even going to places like City Hall requires only a 20-minute walk from me (if I’m not in rush. Plus, it allows me to reflect, take a call, exercise and clear my head.) Going to the grocery store or farmers’ market or longer distances may call for a vehicle, but generally speaking, Providence is a walkable city, and I love the proximity of everything. I wouldn’t change much about the way I get around.

I walk and drive. I’d prefer not to drive as much as I do and would prefer to use the bus. RIPTA needs to increase bus routes and to make the service more user friendly.

I love to bike when I can, but I use my car most often. Providence lacks a strong bike infrastructure. From where I live on Lippitt Street, I have to either brave Hope Street or North Main- two high-traffic thoroughfares- in order to get anywhere, competing with cars, trucks, and the like. Ideally, I’d go to work, to see my friends and girlfriend in the West End, and go out to eat on Thayer and Hope all via bike. In order for that to happen, we need better bicycle infrastructure that makes alternative transportation safer and more accessible.

In order to be a leader in environmental and mobility justice, Providence must build the foundation on which its residents can thrive.

I currently drive an electric vehicle, a 2015 Volkswagen E-Golf, to work in Cranston and walk and drive the spin scooters on most trips outside of the grocery store. I would ideally drive my own electric bike or scooter. I’m planning to buy one, and previously, I drove the spin scooters to work every day when I worked in Providence. I’ll be saving up for a scooter of my own, but I’ve had some dangerous experiences scootering on North Main Street, in the Whole Foods plaza, and on Olney street, which has bike lanes on opposite sides.

I get around Providence mostly by either walking or driving my Electric Vehicle (Bolt EUV ’21). My husband and I trade off use of our one car, and he often also takes RIPTA to work at Brown.

I would love to use public transit more often, but have found that it doesn’t readily connect to many of the places I need to go in a timely mannner. I understand the challenges that RIPTA faces, and would love to see us invest more not only in electrifying the fleet, but in expanding routes and enabling faster service. When we lived in California, I almost exclusively commuted using a combination of commuter rail, buses, and subways – and my kick scooter.

I also used to more regularly get around on a non-motorized kick scooter. When residents talk with me about the quality of the sidewalks as a barrier to active mobility, I understand. I have not regularly used my kickscooter since moving to Providence because of the uneven quality of our sidewalks and roads, which makes scooting less safe. Prioritizing this kind of quality of life improvement would be a top priority for me as Councilor – ensuring we have adequate funding for fixing sidewalks and investing in complete streets. From my work as a climate policy advocate, I am also no stranger to negoating with utilities and would ensure that utilities are paying for and actually doing repair on roads after they cut into them to do repairs on their infrastructure. Providence residents should not foot the bill for poor quality road work done by our utilities.

People of all ability levels (wheelchairs, walkers, people pushing strollers, etc) should be able to get around our city.

I have for a number of years have taken public transit.
I would like to see a safer Kennedy Plaza.
I know that a safer bus terminal will definitely encourage more ridership. Most people would not do business with a store or in a shopping center if it is deemed unsafe and a bus terminal is no different.

Most of my personal travel around Providence has been by car. It is working in the sense that a car has been able to accommodate and provide my wife and I with a level of convenience when traveling with our 6-month year old daughter. Mobility is everything. The freedom to move to your destination when you need to is a fundamental human right and can’t be overstated enough. Ideally, I’d like to get around Providence by bicycle but the thought of riding during the frigid winter months has given me some hesitation, and the cost to purchase a commuter bicycle has often served as financial barrier for me. However, upon reflection, perhaps the cost to maintain a car far exceeds the price tag of a commuter bicycle.

I commute most days on the bus. I very occasionally commute on my bicycle. I’m very fortunate in that I am able to use public transport in order to travel to my job downtown. If I am going to other parts of the city, or if I am running errands, I often do use my car because public transportation or biking do not feel like viable or safe options.

I am very fortunate that I and many members of my community in Providence are able to move around the city, however most are reliant on cars. Additionally, many Providence residents are not so fortunate. Mobility affects nearly every aspect of people’s lives, not just mine. For example, I was talking with a Ward 5 resident who uses a wheelchair to get around and because of the lack of curb cuts and safe sidewalks, he has a hard time moving around the city. Additionally, with the addition of removing masking on the bus, commuters may decide that the risk of getting COVID (and its constantly evolving sub-variants) is not worth the risk.

In places that I have lived in the past I have been a full-time bike commuter. That is not something I feel safe doing in this city. I have been hit by cars twice, despite wearing bright colors and running bike lights, and those experiences have shaken me. We need an infrastructural overhaul in this city. We need to build contiguous, protected bike lanes, fix the sidewalks, and make bus routes more efficient when it comes to going places that are not downtown. If we can make other transit options viable, we can cut down on vehicular traffic which will make alternative options even more accessible and safe.

I mostly travel by automobile and walk. My husband and I of 34 years have lived on Pleasant Valley Parkway for over 30 years. My office is two miles away downtown. For more than 23 years my husband and I car pool. I drop him at the train station and he commutes into South Station. In the evening I pick him up and depending upon my schedule he will sometimes take a RIPTA bus from the station to City Hall to catch the balance of a City meeting or hearing. During the day, once downtown I can walk from my office to City Hall to conduct City business. We also live a block from the Chalkstone Avenue business corridior. We regularly walk up to shop or go to one of the several great restaurants on the Avenue. Pleasant Valley Parkway is a City park and we really enjoy walking it in all seasons. We are fortunate to have our two grown children live nearby so we often walk over to visit them and vice versa. Our neighborhood is very walkable as it was platted long before automobiles were ubiquitous so there is a nice balance with the commercial corridor and the residential area of the surrounding streets.

I drive or walk to wherever I’m going! I am looking to purchase an electric scooter to get around my neighborhood, I think creating some sort of incentive for residents to do this makes sense. I would also like to ride my bicycle more but I am honestly terrified of our drivers. We need to create a City that gives residents multiple transit options so we are not just relying on cars.

Thoughts? I find your line of questions racists and geared to a few and not to all, you can’t have more space on the roads and tie it in to equity that doesn’t make sense , every question is geared towards race , I have many projects to unite my ward plans where everyone prospers .I have plans for less congested roads ,I have plans to bring neighborhoods together ,I have plans for empowering disadvantage citizens and their children to enhance their lives even the new people to our community which is a sanctuary city , if you do what’s good for the people equatiy will follow , thanks for reaching out

I travel with by car, and it does well for me and my family. I would like a train system in place similar to that of Miami and Las Vegas for either the city and state to help ease transport and curb congestion. We can look at the history of the city when trolleys rails were used to see how this can be implemented today.

The reality is that mist people travel by vehicle. Therefore to make it a reality, gas prices need to be regulated to be affordable for travel.

Providence needs public transportation that is free, effective and safe that so that residents do not have to relay on cars. Currently the city offers bike and scooter shares which I think are great ways to increase ridership and public engagement of our public transportation.

As a teacher and social worker, my daily life is intertwined with that of schools which require functional transportation systems to work. Most of my students take public transportation, walk, or bike. I drive a car about half the time I leave the house. It works, but only in a certain way. I transport large classroom materials daily; my car makes this easy for me, especially when I have to transport clients for work. 

My next vehicle, car or bike, will be electric. It’ll save me money, and lessen my carbon footprint.  Ideally, I would walk everywhere and bike around for fun, too. About one-third of the neighbors I’ve spoken with prefer to walk and bike everywhere. Elmwood is already a walkable neighborhood with fantastic food, inspiring schools, active libraries, local fresh and affordable produce, great haircuts, and the best park in Providence, Roger Williams. As a council member, I will build on these strengths.

If electric buses reliably came every 11 minutes, had free charging for phones, and secure WIFI, I would bike and bus more and other people would too. I used to drive my step-son to school most mornings because there was no bus-line that worked for him in middle school. Now he takes the bus most days. I strongly believe that all teenagers should be able to take a safe and reliable city bus for free, year-round. It’s good for social and professional development to know how to navigate the city.

Something else I’d like to add:  About half of my Ward 9 neighbors I know were not born in the United States. They have lived in other parts of the country and the world. They have experienced a variety of city service systems and types of government. They know when a city service could be less corrupt and easier to access. This is not a trivial lived-experience! Every neighborhood’s potential comes from its neighbors. Every Elmwood neighbor I talked with wanted cleaner, safer, simpler transportation options, regardless of their party, voter status, or demographic. People asked for slower streets that are safe for children to bike on, sidewalks that are accessible to elders, and more frequent, reliable bus service. Some of my neighbors also reflected on subway systems in other countries, which had unarmed police members walking in public spaces. Contrast this with what we generally have here in the United States: armed police in large cars. The ways we direct our public safety officers to engage with neighbors or passersby  – whether they travel by foot, bike, bus, wheelchair, or car – directly impacts our sense of safety.

 

The nature of my job requires a car. I jokingly call it my mobile office because I typically work out of my car in between client visits. However, I wish for a day that I only had to go to one office and can bike/walk to work. It’s healthier for people and the environment. Engagement of the community in the benefits of healthy transportation will allow residents to be vested in the investments and projects to increase pedestrian and alternate modes of transportation that may improve our environment.

Me myself I travel around Providence all kinds of ways. I walk. Take the bus. Ride a bike. Drive. Get rides from friends and family. Lift, and Uber. Ideally I get around pretty good, but I’m real big on helping others so having a vehicle is real important to me. I can help more with a car. I would need more money.

I travel through Providence by my personal vehicle. It works for the most part, although, My husband and I do sometimes have to share the vehicle. Insurance is high, gas is expensive. I would prefer a safer, cleaner, more efficient way for me and my family to travel through providence. Working and living here, public transit would make life much easier.

I walk. We live at the eastern edge of Smith Hill just west of I-95. We walk to Elmhurst, the East Side, Downtown. When I had my office it was in walking distance. My wife, Denise, and I have one car and we are in it often although not every day. Ideally I wish all our needs were within walking distance. I wish I could use wheeled transportation just for adventure beyond the city.

I mostly drive or walk. Ideally, I would more frequently bus or ride! I have been riding more as bike lanes have expanded and I have felt like it was a safer option to go cross neighborhood. The bus is a great option if you are traveling along one of the spokes that go east/ west primarily and not a great option if you’re doing a lot of north/south travel in Providence. On the state level, we need to expand and invest in RIPTA. On the city level – we need to keep moving forward in making our streets safe for everyone – walk, roll, ride, or drive.

I most often drive if I am going somewhere that is further than a walk, especially if I have my kids with me. I have commuted by bike in Providence and typically walk if I’m going shorter distances. I would ideally like to ride the bus more. I have spent a lot of money maintaining a car. Ideally buses would run frequently enough, including at nights and on the weekends, and would be cheap enough to use regularly.

Lately it’s been walking! Canvassing and meeting my neighbors has been a wonderful way to get out and walk. We’ve been campaigning as a family so it’s been lovely to stay local and go to our favorite places in the neighborhood. Both my husband and I work about 30-45 minutes away and are required to be in-person during the academic year so we have to drive daily during those months. I am originally from Peru so one of the beautiful things was having local everything within walking distance–little markets, shops, restaurants were always available. We’re starting to see some of that pop up here on the Admiral Street corridor but the reality is that not everyone in our neighborhoods can walk or ride bikes so having more localized transportation or shuttles available that make local stops to local markets, stores, laundromats etc would be something lovely for those that don’t have that access. Better yet, how cool would a bicycle service be for some young entrepreneurs in the area? Running errands for our neighbors that can’t do it themselves? Money maker for an entrepreneurial spirit!

2. A recent Providence Journal story reported that drivers have hit 3,000 people walking and biking in the city in the last decade. If elected, what will you do to reduce traffic violence?

The current Great Streets Program was created with the right goal in mind– to better connect our city and make all streets safer for pedestrians, bikes and cars. I think the most important aspect of that plan is its focus on calming traffic. We know that many areas in our city are unsafe to walk or bike– and we need to do better. Real cities have real bike lanes and bike networks. They have designed streets for the traffic that uses them and they have strict speeding limits within city limits. Most importantly, real cities maintain this infrastructure once they’ve built it. As mayor, I will support ways that responsibly reduce speeding and calm traffic in our community and develop long-term strategies to maintain it.

Continuing the expansion of citywide multimodal infrastructure and traffic calming measures is key to keeping people who aren’t in cars safe. Another important piece is launching a comprehensive public awareness campaign to re-educate drivers on being less aggressive and developing awareness of pedestrians, bikers, etc, around them.

I want to invest in using data-driven and technology-based approaches and personal narratives to enhance public safety and policing strategies in order to reduce traffic violence. I also want to continue to fight for transportation policies that will increase safety and reduce congestion and vehicle mileage which will necessarily reduce traffic violence. I want to work to create a multi-modal, transit culture in our City and State. We need to be partnering with the Providence Streets Coalition and other grassroots organizations in order to be engaged in educating Providence residents about the importance of creating safe transit opportunities and the role that we each have in ensuring one another’s safety.

As a City Council member, I have sponsored initiatives such as the Green and Complete Streets’ ordinance which paves the way for safer streets in Providence, while codifying the City’s commitment to developing infrastructure that is safe, reliable, sustainable, and accommodating to all residents. That means people who drive cars, bike, walk or use a wheelchair should have access to safe streets to travel. We need to ensure that we are doing a citywide survey of our streets to begin taking what we have learned in doing the N. Main St. study and apply it to other parts of the City so that every neighborhood has access to safe streets with multi-modal options.

First and foremost, this is an alarming and horrifying statistic. Ultimately, as these numbers indicate, this is a huge liability, and everyone in the City of Providence deserves to have transportation and infrastructure that is multimodal, that is safe and well-designed, and that is accessible to all. As we plan for the future, we need to take into consideration the needs of various users of infrastructure, such as pedestrians, families, children, seniors, bicyclists, and those with disabilities. Investment in an infrastructure that supports safe pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle traffic would go a long way toward reducing traffic violence. The addition of dedicated bus and bike lanes, free transit options for those in need, additional bike, and pedestrian safety guidelines, and smart investment in infrastructure improvements will also help reduce traffic violence.

In our vehicle-centric world, car drivers have far more protection than anyone else, and there truly needs to be a fundamental paradigm shift in how we envision safe and affordable transportation for all. People who ride bikes, pedestrians or folks walking babies in strollers, those who have disabilities, etc. deserve the utmost protections and people need to realize that people advocating for their basic safety is not a zero-sum game.

In order words, we cannot view this as one person’s gain (e.g., having a safe bike trail or dedicated bus lane) as another person’s loss (e.g., losing a parking spot) because expanding multi-modal transportation and safe pedestrian and multi-modal infrastructure can literally be a matter of life or death. Someone risking death and getting hit on a bike because of lackluster protections or infrastructure is far more pressing than trying to preserve a parking spot, in my opinion. It’s like comparing apples and oranges. Are there ways to implement these changes fairly, more transparently, and reasonably? Sure, and I hope to be able to do that in a way where we can build consensus. Additionally, I hope to educate and move forward in a way that is less contentious and divisive in order to enhance safe and reliable transportation options for all, which only strengthens our economy and different ways for people to get to where they need to be – be it work, going to an appointment, patronizing a business, etc.

It is necessary for Providence to improve cycling safety and transit routes through the development and implementation of safe and secure cycling infrastructure that is protected from vehicular traffic and has direct access to major routes and residential areas; bicycle lanes on transit routes to speed transit and increase safety; pedestrian-friendly traffic-calming measures; pedestrian-friendly signal timing; and transit signal priority. Commuters’ multimodal transportation options are affected by an area’s infrastructure choices. We should design systems that encourage residents to reduce traffic and pollution.

Other ideas to consider:

– Set up a citywide system for collecting transit impact fees for new developments so that the funds will be used for equitable, multi-modal improvements for transportation
– Construct protective infrastructure to improve existing bike lanes and connect disconnected lanes.
– Promote bike and walking by setting up car-free zones and days in cultural districts and smaller commercial zones in the city

I would continue to support the Great Streets Initiative, particularly the marking of streets and intersections.

While speed bumps have captured the most media attention, the true answer to reducing traffic violence is street design. Our street design must induce the driver behavior it needs to be safe.

For example, North Main Street- despite its close proximity to thousands of Ward 3 residents- has the feeling of a highway, where exceeding the speed limit can be safely executed. This is not true, as every day I see cyclists on the shoulder, pedestrians, and even witnessed a collision at the Rochambeau intersection a few weeks ago. This is a failure of planning- the street, through pedestrian and bicycle improvements, radar speed signs, and other means of traffic calming, should feel like a community boulevard, and as a result drivers will behave accordingly.
In order to be a leader in environmental and mobility justice, Providence must build the foundation on which its residents can thrive.

If elected, I’ll work to decrease traffic violence by year-round canvassing, and building buy in from diverse communities that are less enthusiastic about increasing mobility and calming traffic. I’ll connect issues that matter most to these communities, like crime and connect it to mobility. Pushing policies like Crime reduction through environmental development which correlates traffic calming in high drive-by areas with, significantly reducing crime.

First – I would work in partnership with experts on these types of policies and programs to leverage their expertise and use the best available research to guide my decisionmaking on which measure to pursue.

I would support the Great Streets Initiative/Plan to build out protected bike lanes and opportunities for safe mobility across the City.

I am also a supporter of traffic calming measures. I would want to work with community and experts on the best types of measures for different roads. As I am walking around, I am seeing and also hearing anecdotally from neighbors that some traffic calming measures just send people speeding up side streets that were previously quiet (for example, the next few streets north of Rochambeau).

I would also prioritize actually enforcing our traffic rules. As mentioned above, there is a lot of speeding and dangerous behavior in quiet residential neighborhoods.

More police governing traffic.

This is a great question. As a side note, I would imagine that this number is perhaps underreported. I believe we must carefully design streets that provide clear visibility for travelers of all modes, reduces speeding, offers separation between modes, and protects pedestrian crossings that would significantly lessen the dangers that cause fatalities and injuries. I would also support the funding of public awareness campaigns in our city to educate travelers on how to co-exist safely and respectfully on our roads.

Every time a car hits a pedestrian or cyclist is a tragedy and a policy failure. Providence has a severe lack of traffic calming measures. The city needs to implement more of these, such as speed bumps and road signs. We also need to fix the infrastructure that we already have. If the sidewalk is falling apart, a pedestrian will be forced to walk in the road. We also need to link up the protected bike lanes in the city. By creating more infrastructure for non-car travel, we can remove cars from the road and make streets even safer.

Before implementing any of these solutions, it is crucial that we do outreach to residents, business owners and commuters to make sure that the implementation of these changes will in fact help the neighborhoods.

My son is an avid cyclist. He was struck by a vehicle while riding his bike to his office downtown one morning. It could have been much worse, but nonetheless very unsettling. As the Councilwoman from Ward 5 I will continue to advocate for traffic calming measures to ensure that people are not risking bodily injury just going about their daily business as a pedestrian or cyclists.

We need to make sure all streets have sidewalks on them so folks aren’t walking in the street. Hillcrest Village is in my ward and it blows my mind that there is no sidewalk on two streets leading up to it. A good portion of the residents use wheelchairs and I always see them in middle of the road. I also would like to see elevated crosswalks at intersections where it makes sense (heavy foot traffic). There is a few streets where neighbors would like to see more speed bumps so adding those makes sense. I will always be a strong ally to the City’s planning department and the safe streets coalition in advocating for different policies that they put out. The planning department is doing great work around making more pedestrian friendly neighborhoods so I want to make sure they have the resources to continue that work. I also want to look into what other polices we can put into place to deter commercial trucks from driving in our residential neighborhood, this is a concern a lot of families in my ward have.

There would have to be a more active bike culture. We live in a cold climate and bike riding can only be seasonal. We can implement the love of biking more by hosting more events and provide more opportunities for bike riding across the state. The adding of baskets can be used so that it can bikers can pick up groceries when they need to.
 

Work on measure to control speed and place speed bumps where they would more effettive

As of now there have been multiple traffic calming measures made to Ward 9. I am eager to see the ways these measures bring more safety and growth to our community. If elected, I will continue to engage those that live and make their lives in Ward 9 in my decision making. It is important that we invest and prioritize the needs and dreams of those that live in the area.

Traffic violence is an unacceptable loss of human life and productivity. Data shows that children and the elderly are particularly susceptible to fatal car crashes in general, and more so when biking or walking. The effects of this damage  –  fatal or otherwise – on a family and a neighborhood can be life-altering and catastrophically economically depressing. While Elmwood has some traffic calming infrastructure, we must expand what is already there. This includes slower speed limits for the main streets and side streets between Elmwood and Broad, and an eventual Complete Streets redesign for Elmwood Avenue, expanded to feature: more natural green space, more trees on every single block– a more beautiful environment in general for neighbors.

Between 2000-2012, bike use increased 60% across the United States. I’m encouraged by the recent improvements along Broad Street. I believe these changes – the protected bike lanes, bus islands, expanded walkways, and lane reductions – will make Broad Street a safer street for everyone, whether they are driving, walking, or biking. Traffic has not increased or decreased at all on Broad Street in my subjective opinion. It feels slower and safer with fewer chaotic movements.

Another way to reduce traffic fatalities is to increase the number of bikes relative to the number of cars in general by making it easier and safer to bike through the city. We need to raise safe bike riders and safe drivers who equally understand and accept the rules of the road. This includes holding people accountable when they engage in reckless driving in residential areas where kids live and ride their bikes.

 

Protected urban trails are an obvious point. As aforementioned, community engagement is paramount to educate and include residents in the decision process. Lastly adding more traffic calming measures will help reduce traffic violence.

I would hold those accountable by giving out infractions and fines and also jail time if needed. I would also make bike lanes and sidewalks more safe in areas of heavy accident reported zones.

Public safety is one of my most important issues in the coming election. I believe that the safety of my constituents is paramount and will do everything in my power to increase safe travel routes for those of you walking and biking through the city.

Let’s see, that is about 300 people on foot or biking have been hit by a car. Was the injury serious? I don’t know what the specific facts of cases are. Is this a troubling statistic? Does it rate as “traffic violence”?

Priorities for this year through to next summer (we have increased neighborhood allocations thanks to federal funds) include: crosswalk improvements, expanded traffic calming especially between Westminster and Atwells, support/ connectors for active plans for street/bike lane improvements. I’m also interested in exploring strategies that have been especially successful in other cities (street murals, for example in crosswalks, etc.) and working with folks from the Providence Streets Coalition to identify other priorities in the West End, Federal Hill, and Valley.

I have heard from voters in Ward 14 whose family members have been hit; this issue needs to be addressed in a timely manner. The voters have asked for traffic safety measures and haven’t seen any changes. I will advocate for traffic calming and street redesigns that improve safety and equity for all road users, and prioritize which streets and intersections are renovated based on the number of accidents in those locations over the past decade.

I think an important thing here is to make sure we’re enforcing the laws that are put in place. Driving distracted has become a huge concern not just here–everywhere. As I’ve been studying different models in different cities on what to do as we expand our mobility footprint here in Providence, we need remember that we can only protect our loved ones by acting together through systems to change streets, laws, norms, technology, and drivers, all at the same time. It’s a mental reset on sharing our roads and streets and right now we need to be doing everything to ensure we’re supporting that mental shift.

3. Providence is experiencing an affordability crisis. In addition to skyrocketing housing costs, owning a car costs an average of $9,666 per year. According to the U.S. Census, 17% of Providence households already do not own a single car –– 4.1% of owner-occupied households, and 25% of renter-occupied households. Will you support and prioritize expanding public transportation, walking, and biking infrastructure as a way of reducing the cost of living in Providence?

[Optional] Add additional thoughts on the nexus of housing, transportation, and affordability:

STRONGLY SUPPORT

There’s no way around it: cars are very expensive to own. Newer cars cost more to purchase. Older cars cost more to maintain. They all cost a lot to fuel and insure. To the extent that we can make Providence easier to navigate without relying on a car, individuals and families can realize significant savings while also lessening the environmental impact of cars. Those savings can translate directly into a better quality of life, or get redirected towards housing. Additionally, the more we do to improve bus service and frequency, the less dependent we will be on cars to get to work when our job may be in another city.

Absolutely, expanding these modes of transportation and increasing their accessibility will not only reduce the cost of living in Providence, it will also promote sustainability by reducing the amount of carbon emissions through reduced amounts of driving. Further, you should not need a car to live in the city. Providence is approximately 20.6 square miles. Everyone in the city should have access to multi-modal transit, regardless of the neighborhood that they live in.

As Mayor, I will work with community based groups, RIPTA and RIDOT, Dept. of Planning and Healthy Communities to build upon Green and Complete streets and also create and implement a toolkit of design solutions that provide safe access to transit — ultimately with the goal of helping to encourage a multimodal-transit culture in our City.

The city must build ample affordable housing and free transportation that everyone can use fairly to access well-paying jobs, schools, and community spaces. This type of transformation in cost of living will lead to an overwhelming sense of security and belonging as we attempt to make pollution, poverty, racism, and environmental injustice nothing more than a sorrowful tale of the past.

Ward 3 has considerable public transit access, as the two major corridors of Hope and North Main Street pass through the length of the ward and are regularly serviced by the 1 Bus and the R-Line (we are looking forward to the fare-free pilot!). Unfortunately, especially on the North Main corridor, we are missing opportunities to maximize city land, and space that could be inviting mixed retail and affordable housing sits empty and vacant. Providence is growing, and we must act quickly to establish affordable housing before it is swallowed up by out-of-state developers for luxury apartments.

We need to redo our zoning code to have less red tape around increasing mobility, housing and affordability.

These issues are so inter-related. When I co-chaired the state’s Hunger Elimination Task Force, so many folks in the community brought up transportation and mobility as a key challenge for food security. Not only is it another big expense, but if transit doesn’t go near the services we need (or the services we need are not located in dense areas near housing, etc), people lose access. Things that are close ‘as the crow flies’, but distant because of the need to change buses in Kennedy Plaza can be impossible to access. Time also has a value – especially for folks juggling multiple jobs and families – and decreasing time spent in transportation between home, work, and important services is a real affordability issue.

When I commuted in the San Francisco Bay Area, I took a cross-town bus for several years from the Embarcadero through neighborhoods to the other side of the City (the Presidio). During the evening commute, it was such a regular occurance for folks to pop on and off two or three stops apart to grab dinner ingredients and hop on the next bus behind us (or clearly pop onto our bus after having just bought evening ingredients). Kids would commute to school; business people in suits would go between work and home. It was bustling and filled with the diversity of the City because it was $2 and got you where you needed to go, past the services and stops you needed to access between work and home. Rhode Island is the second most densely populated state — we could also have systems that worked like this to better connect our housing, transportation, and other services to more affordably serve residents.

Affordable affordable affordable.
People including myself must not be left.

Expanding affordable housing is one of the main objectives of my campaign, and my #1 priority. When we expand walkable and bikeable infrastructure, not only will the cost of living go down, but the whole community’s economy will benefit.

We are fortunate that Providence was developed long before automobiles were on the scene. Providence has many walkable neighborhoods. As the Councilwoman from Ward 5 I will continue to advocate for an expanded public transit system and improved infrastructure to provide for safe walking and biking.

I believe that we must look at three areas to fully understand the systems that are damaging our access to affordable and safe housing and transportation. Environmental Justice, increased housing security and job equity.


1) Environmental justice to me is everything that interacts with and affects people. Therefore, it is clean and lead-free water, air that is free of toxic pollution from the Port, schools that have real investment, and policing that operates by what the community wants and needs.

2) Housing Security – As has been recently reported, the racial gap in home ownership in Rhode Island is larger in Rhode Island than the nationwide average. Ward 9, like other neighborhoods, is impacted by these unacceptable disparities and it needs to be addressed now rather than ignored further. Housing stability also means supporting renters facing increased rents and other costs and educating them on their rights.

3) Job Equity – We need a council person who supports small business growth, increases job training, creates employment opportunities to earn a living wage and fights for equal pay regardless of gender or race.

Big picture: The Providence City Council needs to act as a strong advocate for the Bicycle Mobility Plan, which will help cities and towns complete their fragmented bicycle and pedestrian networks. 50% of the population of Rhode Island lives within 10 miles of Providence.

In my professional experience doing years of direct outreach and peer recovery support service, most people – even of the most humble income – use buses, bikes, and cars. The problem is reliability and affordability. In reality, people make fluid transportation choices depending on their job, neighborhood, and family circumstance. Our City Council has an important role in making it easier for people to access public transportation and to safely walk to their jobs, homes, and local businesses. The health benefits are clear and we will save money over time.

I think about this question another way: how can enhanced public transportation and walking/biking infrastructure support Ward 9’s many small businesses? How can enhanced transportation options connect local residents to more local jobs? These questions should be a priority for our City Council as it considers budgetary and legislative action, and for our Ward 9 councilor in their constituent-service role.

Addressing affordability to live and travel throughout the city of Providence is extremely important to me. My constituents need affordable access to housing and to transit. I have talked in length with the housing department, the recipients of housing as well as other city councilors about how we can better provide affordable transportation and housing for the people who live in our city who need support in funding in order to survive. We need to keep transit accessible and make it more reliable and most importantly safe.

I support capping rent increases to bring down housing costs. I will also fight for transit oriented development that ensures that new housing near transit stops includes affordable units. This will incentivize more people to use public transit.

I strongly support endeavors to make affordability the highest priority for our city Residents…Hard stop. However, we have so many pieces that need to work collectively to create that structure and there are other priorities like, building affordable housing, combating food insecurity, and giving people access to solid wage earning pathways that need to be worked on in conjunction with the expansion of transit options in our city.

SOMEWHAT SUPPORT

I would like to have something in place that would reduce costs while being able to have the infrastructure in place to fulfill the needs of residents.

Bikes are being dropped off all over the city sidewalks creating issues as well. I WOULD SUPPORT WAYS TO MAKE BUSING MORE AFFORDABLE.

Oh, I wish we didn’t need a car. But we can afford one. I wish there was a pedestrian nexus between home and work. It takes a cultural shift but I believe it is coming.

4. Many cities enacted fare-free transit options during the pandemic, both as a means to help essential workers and to improve social distancing for bus drivers. Most are seeing an increase in bus ridership as a result of these policies. Starting September 1st, RIPTA’s R-Line will be fare free to riders for a one-year pilot. Do you support expanding free bus service on RIPTA to more lines?

[Optional] Add additional thoughts on strategies to increase bus ridership:

STRONGLY SUPPORT

Add one or more concentric hubs within the city to our public transportation system to simplify access when traveling within city limits. As Mayor, develop a public awareness campaign around bus use by setting a personal example and offer free bus passes as an employee benefit for City personnel.

I have been talking about making the R-1 line free for a while. In fact, last year I tweeted about it, and I am happy that it will be piloted. Yes, I absolutely support expanding free bus service on RIPTA to more lines. As Mayor, I would like to provide free bus riding to all city employees. I’d also like us to have protected bike storage/lock for those riding their bikes to work all throughout the City. I want to work with the State and RIPTA to create an incentive program for businesses who encourage their employees to take the bus, ride their bike, or walk to work.

I absolutely 100% support expanding free bus service on RIPTA to more lines. In fact, I was the lead sponsor on a Providence City Council resolution endorsing Rhode Island AFL-CIO’s recommendation to make RIPTA service free of charge and have publicly asked the Governor to help us pilot more free routes here in Providence.

See more here: https://twitter.com/JohnGPVD/status/1456064412163493888/photo/1

As Chair of Stage Legislative Affairs on the Council, I also urged my Providence City Council colleagues and Providence General Assembly delegation members to endorse legislation introduced by state Sen. Meghan Kallman and Rep. Leonela Felix to make RIPTA service free for all riders.

While more of state-level policy, increased affordability through fare-free transit remains a strong goal of mine.

Ward 3 has considerable public transit access, as the two major corridors of Hope and North Main Street pass through the length of the ward and are regularly serviced by the 1 Bus and the R-Line (we are looking forward to the fare-free pilot!). Unfortunately, especially on the North Main corridor, we are missing opportunities to maximize city land, and space that could be inviting mixed retail and affordable housing sits empty and vacant. Providence is growing, and we must act quickly to establish affordable housing before it is swallowed up by out-of-state developers for luxury apartments.

I support fare free RIPTA. Though, I also support using funds to expand the reach and frequency of RIPTA. Currently, one of the limitations of RIPTA’s budget is ridership. I am glad that a lot of RIPTA’s riders have discounted rates in many forms, and we also need to attract more full-fare riders to RIPTA. Full fare riders are sometimes able to mode shift to cars or other options, so to attract them to RIPTA, it needs to go to the places where they are going and with greater frequency. For example, Brown pays for faculty and students to ride RIPTA – their ID badges have RIPTA passes loaded onto them, and Brown is charged for every ride. RIPTA is essentially free for them (while still generating revenue for RIPTA). I would love to see RIPTA and the City expand programs like this — and also study why those receiving these free fares don’t travel on it more often.

When I worked as the State’s Food Czar, we had created GIS mapping of factors that influence food access – which included both access to a car or access to RIPTA. Accessing basic services, like grocery stores or doctors’ offices, can be very complicated on RIPTA. We need to ensure that it is connecting to the places where Rhode Islanders are going and actually replacing trips that would otherwise happen via car.

I support any effort to make public transport free and viable. People should have a right to have the means to travel to their job without fear of losing essential income.

Yes, I support expanding free service on RIPTA bus lines. RIPTA is an under utiized asset. For Providence to succeed we need RIPTA to succeed. RIPTA and the MBTA need better coordination of schedules in and around the train station. Further, the state made a big committment to the MBTA when it agreed to the MBTA Pawtucket Layover Facility in 2013. Rhode Island, if not the City should have a seat on the MBTA Board to better coordinate customer service between the two major public transit authorities servicing Providence.

I am all for free public transit! I would also like to see the quality of service improve in terms of more frequent routes and more weather friendly bus stops.

I believe that Providence residents should be able to fully engage their city using public transportation, it should be for all of us. We can increase ridership by focusing on our neighbors that need public transportation and making sure that our bus routes mirror their needs, both now and in the future. Making more space for our youth to ride free or at discounted prices allows them to space to grow into adults that understand, appreciate and utilize our public transportation.

We have a relatively high bus ridership in Ward 9. Fare-free options will allow more people to use the bus including some who may ditch their cars for a greener future.

Cost, speed, and frequency go into people’s decision making as to which means of transportation they may use. I will fight to make our buses clean, free, convenient and accessible for all Providence residents.

RIPTA being free should happen now. I’m really interested in working on how we can make that happen for all bus routes and finding opportunities to offset the operational costs that come with offering that transit opportunity to RI Residents. The R-Line pilot will serve as a great tool to make this happen.

SOMEWHAT SUPPORT

If we didn’t have to choose between frequent, reliable service and free-fare then yes. But if I had to pick one it would be close. The R line made freely available to riders is a great opportunity for assessment of change in ridership patterns especially on the most traveled bus line in the State. It would be great to see what a year of a free R line achieves and the cost saving potential. Members of City Council need to know what assessment tools the state has put in place for this. As I mentioned before, I will try to make RIPTA free for all teenagers.

Fare-free transit would be great for combating the current crisis that providence residents are facing with inflation and the current housing crisis. The reason I don’t Strongly support is because I believe that RIPTA needs to be expanded. We need more frequent buses and additional lines. We would need more funding in order for this to be realized and properly sustained. With that being said this is definitely a project that I will work for in City Hall

Fare-free is really fare-cost-transfer-to-other-than-the-rider. It’s challenging. Probably the answer is greater population densities like NY or Boston where car transportation is really limited to getting in and out of the metropolitan areas.

NEITHER SUPPORT NOR OPPOSE

5. Do you support traffic calming and street redesigns that improve safety and equity for all road users?

[optional] Add additional thoughts on how racial and economic justice overlaps with transportation

STRONGLY SUPPORT

It’s expensive to own a car so people with limited incomes must consume a greater percentage of their earnings towards transportation. In Providence, a significant percentage of people in this situation are non-white. Making it easier for low-income people to move around freely will put more money in their pockets. Due to our demographics, this would have a significant impact on non-white communities.

We cannot achieve transportation justice without racial, social, economic and environmental justice; they are all interconnected.

Everyone should have the right to transit and mobility and be able to do it freely and safely without risk of being racially profiled or not having access or being able to afford public transit all together.

As Mayor, my approach will be supporting and promoting a multimodal transit infrastructure and culture by taking action against systemic racism in our city and state’s transportation system and all of our structures.

There is research that shows evidence of environmentally hazardous facilities and infrastructure that are disproportionately and intentionally in marginalized communities (low-income communities of color/BIPOC), where residents are exposed to high levels of air, water, and noise pollution which result in significant racial health disparities and economic disinvestments.

There are also studies that show low income, BIPOC residents and individuals with various disabilities or mobility challenges have less access to affordable and accessible transit. This impacts employment, health, education and quality of life.

Improving our public transit not only is inclusive of increasing access to transit and ridership but is also about providing convenient and affordable connections to jobs, services (health, social, job training, mentorship services) and basic life essentials. When I proposed the North Main street Corridor plan I took all those things into consideration. As Mayor, working towards an equitable, safe, and multi-modal transit culture will help address the disparities that exist in our City.

By promoting sustainable transportation, we reduce emissions, protect public health, and create shared prosperity. Through decisions on how to regulate street infrastructure and how to allocate public space on roadways and sidewalks, city government has significant power to improve racial equity and the accessibility and reliability of multimodal transportation options.

Carbon pollution always has and continues to affect people of color and low-income frontline communities. The location near ports, highways, rail yards, and industrial areas puts them in the front row of greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to an overall increase in health problems. Residential segregation caused by unequal housing development plans and redlining continues to force this issue and ensure these communities suffer the most environmental health consequences.

People of color in the city have lower health expectancies and outcomes than their white counterparts. They live in neighborhoods given over to high-pollution industries and highways. It is easy to see why the highest lead poisoning and asthma rates in the state are found concentrated in these low-income areas. This is unacceptable.

Amid the industrial buildings and roadways, there is less tree canopy in non-white neighborhoods. The combination of high carbon emissions and no carbon reduction methods continues to cause ever-increasing problems in frontline communities. This needs to change. Action focused on climate justice addresses both the global effects of carbon on our environment and the nearby injustices that affect health, economy, and fairness across racial lines.

From its beginnings to Rosa Parks and segregation-era bus boycotts through today, public transit has always existed at the center of race, class, and privilege. We must continue to push the vision of an equitable system to ensure it is designed for all users.

In the same way that the Providence Tree Plan is mapping out tree access and access to green space across the City, I would want to ensure that all neighborhoods – not just the wealthier neighborhoods – have access to safe streets for walking, biking, scooting, and rolling.

People who ride buses often times are not often treated with respect. Myself being both elderly and disabled resent a bus moving forward before I can even get to my seat upon entering a bus.

Travel and transportation are the cornerstones of economic health in any community. If people cannot safely travel, then the whole city suffers. This also intersects with racial justices, as minority communities are forced to live in areas with insufficient public transport and infrastructure. If we are going to pursue true racial justice, we have to include travel and transportation in our efforts.

The state needs to invest in its roads and infrastructure located right here in Providence. For decades the state spent billions of dollars on building roads to get people out of the City. It is time the state took responsibility for properly maintaining its roads and bridges that are located right here and have been for decades. The state’s public transportation system should not be treated as some after thought. Fully funding RIPTA should be as high a priority as maintaining Route 146 which serves the states northern suburbs.

As we continue to understand and sift through our local history we are faced with the reality that our marginalized communities need more than apologies and hopes for well wishes-we require action from our elected officials. Racial and economic justice cannot be separated from environmental justice which is everything that interacts with and affects people. We need to be honest that people are working jobs and have needs that exist outside of bus hours and zones that currently exist, we need to change this.

Yes! Unequivocally. And I’ll add: we need Ward 9 residents to have a say in each phase of any street redesign effort. This is more than a matter of expertise or logistics. Sharing ideas and experiences is a key part of the policy process. As Ward 9 City Councilor, I will hold regular, accessible, and democratic community meetings for all neighborhood projects. Not just ad hoc meetings but regular meetings, ideally including childcare and food to allow a wide range of resident participation. This type of participation and engagement is how our street redesigns will succeed.

I am inclined to support street calming and street redesigns that support more pedestrian and non-car activities. However, again, the community needs to be part of the ideas and planning for future projects. To impact racial and economic Justice, it is important to engage the community and investigate disparate impacts due to previous projects.

There has to be a better design alternative other that speed bumps. Also the tree planters in the Armory district which encase tree wells in rectangles of granite curb need improvement. I would like to see a test case of narrowing the vehicular two way right-of-way to maybe 16 ft for a length of 20 ft and surfacing that 20 ft with a rumble type surface. The granite curbs could swell gently to create the 20 ft narrow which would also serve as a pedestrian crossing.

Racial and economic justice are deeply interconnected to transportation and climate justice issues. Ultimately, I do this work because I believe, as a city, we can do better to address equity issues that interconnect with people’s everyday lives, and that when we do, we lift the city up for everyone who lives, works, and visits Providence. This is not necessarily the easiest path, and it sometimes requires pushing back against corporate special interests, but ultimately, it is the strongest for our residents and our city. I’m honored to represent Ward 13, and I take the responsibility seriously as we engage in community-wide conversations and issues that impact equity and access.

As I have walked every street in Ward 14, I have seen the difference in the conditions of sidewalks and streets in Wanskuck compared to Elmhurst. I would like to address the disparities in investment between these communities so that everyone can safely use the streets and sidewalks. Highways throughout the US have been built to segregate communities causing health impacts to those communities from car emissions. I also will advocate to increase use of public transit, biking, and walking to reduce emissions and improve the health of Providence residents.

The key to making these changes work is to ensure that equity in terms of race, ethnicity and class are at the forefront of the decision making process as it revolves around our future transit infrastructure. Data tells us that white people are more likely to own vehicles than black, brown or indigenous people. If we want everyone to participate fully in this conversation as we continue to develop a great streets plan for our city, we have to make sure that everyone has an efficient and affordable way to get to work, school, appointments, and anywhere else they need to go–and by extension–has an opportunity to partake in the development of that plan.

SOMEWHAT SUPPORT

Racial and economic justice are the reason I stand for more frequent busses as well as additional lines. There is a disconnect with the people of Providence and sufficient transit to some of Rhode Island’s better paying career opportunities, which makes it increasing difficult to progress. Also the most adjudicated charge in the state is suspended licenses. We have a system in place that takes away driving privileges, especially for those of lower income individuals, for several non-driving offenses, and offer little to know legal recourse compiled with a public transit system that is lacking. This is a system that I will be looking for reform in.

NEITHER SUPPORT OR OPPOSE

6. Do you support traffic calming and street redesigns that improve safety and equity for all road users, even if it means taking away parking or car travel lanes?

[optional] Add additional thoughts on parking policies: 

STRONGLY SUPPORT

We have to work with business owners and commerce associations to educate them ahead of time and find alternative parking solutions based on best practices adopted in other cities. All this has already been done quite successfully elsewhere. The City has traditionally been terrible at communicating with just about everyone. We will do better.

Yes, I believe the top priority should always be making our streets safe. I am committed to creating a multi-modal Providence. We need city wide protected bike storage and to provide people who have parking permits free and accessible places to park their cars during snow storm. That continues to be an issue. We also should encourage development close to transit lines so that we reduce the need for an individual to own a car.

Each situation is unique and needs to be thoroughly vetted by all stakeholders (so the process and finding solutions, if feasible, for all parties is important). However, as stated, I support traffic calming and street redesigns that improve safety and equity for everyone. My track record on this type of issue speaks for itself. Despite opposition, I Remained An Ardent and Fearless Supporter of Bike Lanes. In 2021, we stood our ground on the South Water Street improvements that calmed the waterfront and expanded bike lanes, accessibility, and multi-modal transportation for city residents. Avid supporters and neighborhood abutters of the improvements plan cited the previous safety concerns,and other issues undermining the quality of life and the calmness visitors should feel along the waterfront. Holding our ground on these improvements resulted in a 25-27% reduction in speed, an 84-86% reduction in vehicles traveling faster than 30 MPH, and a 12 MPH reduction in maximum speed. Our plan was ultimately backed by the Federal Highway Administration and advocates. Additionally, following the installation, People for Bikes named South Water Street as one of its “”Five Best New Bikeways”” nationally.

When the City upgrades roads to include increased bike infrastructure, their traffic engineers and planners do extensive work to study the traffic patterns on those streets and how they might be affected. I support these policies and also this thorough implementation process that involves study and planning.

Absolutely support any effort to expand bike lanes and sidewalks, even if that means reducing parking or travel lanes. For years, we have enacted policies that make car travel the only option for commuting workers. These policies are openly classist and only serve to make our communities less safe. Our objective should be to lessen the amount of cars on the road, not the other way around.

1. We need to balance neighborhood needs as we prioritize safety and access – totally achievable with increased communication.

2. One problem that we have seen in the neighborhood recently and are likely to see more of is parking for commercial buildings. The city needs to increase communication with those building owners and with the tenants/unit owners, so folks understand that if the building does not offer a parking lot, the resident needs to secure other private off-street parking (or rethink having a car). [See below for more on this issue]

3. As we are engaged in discussions about moving away from car-first streets, we also need to be mindful that we are not framing from an ableist perspective and that access for folks who depend on their cars for mobility is a prioritized part of the checklist.

SOMEWHAT SUPPORT

As mayor, I intend to work with neighbors and businesses owners to implement planning strategies that offset any impact reduced parking or travel lanes would have on their community and hope to have an ongoing dialogue about what works best for each commercial district.

While I am a staunch supporter of developing safer alternative transit infrastructure, there is a right and wrong way to do so, especially with the wide variety of stakeholders that depend on existing street resources. It is important that any major changes to streets involve an open process that includes ample opportunities to shape the change into what is best for that neighborhood.

In Ward 3, we are looking forward to the autumn test of a dedicated bike lane on Hope Street in order to inform future decisions about that plan.

We have to figure out the balance between supporting local businesses and keeping people safe. It can be done and cities across the nation are finding ways to do so, Providence should continue to look for examples of the future we want.

In simple terms: yes. But I can understand this question from other perspectives. I think people are afraid that reduced car travel lanes or less parking will increase road congestion and make it harder and more dangerous to get from place to place. If the State of Rhode Island and the City of Providence invest in Complete Streets, electric buses, and free charging with on-going neighborhood input, we will succeed. This will be one of the City’s Council most important jobs.

Our car culture is not there yet, but it is coming. Sadly, we are still too reliant are cars and moving too fast here just annoys the public.

NEITHER SUPPORT OR OPPOSE

Traffic calming and street redesigns should only happen after robust community input. Residents and businesses that abut a public way facing a proposed redesigned need to be engaged. They need to know what policy is being debated and invited into the discussion. Also, the elderly, disabled and the infirmed need to be specifically solicited for their input.

I support street redesigns and traffic calming measures that are safe and equitable so long as it makes sense in that neighborhood. I also believe that we need 100% buy-in from the neighborhoods or it becomes more of what we saw here on Eaton St.–wasting money to fix something the neighbors here weren’t happy with but with a little more planning and input, could’ve been and still be a really great redesign for the Eaton St corridor.

SOMEWHAT OPPOSE

Talking away parking to redesign Can cause accidents

I am an advocate for small business, I am also a providence resident. With the increasing number of people moving to providence I believe that right now taking away travel lanes for vehicles as well as parking would increase traffic around the city as well as take away from small business. This could be something to revisit if we increase and improve the current public transit system we have in place, making it easier and safer for the public to move through providence efficiently and safely.

STRONGLY OPPOSE

Increased handicap parking

7. Most of Providence’s fastest and most dangerous roadways are owned and operated by the RI Department of Transportation (RIDOT) (examples: Memorial Boulevard, Elmwood Avenue, North Main Street, Allens Avenue). Additionally, RIPTA’s Transit Master Plan and RIDOT’s Bike Mobility Plan both have numerous proposed projects in Providence that will require collaboration with the City. If elected, what would be your philosophy and approach to working with RIDOT, RIPTA, and the General Assembly to increase mobility options and safer, cleaner streets in our city?

I believe that my past experience, both at city and at the state, uniquely qualifies me to be a mayor for all of Providence. I plan to use the relationships that I have fostered over the years to convene and collaborate with stakeholders at every level of government to ensure that Providence receives the support and funding that it deserves when working with all state agencies and elected officials.

I have a track record of advocacy and working with the RI General Assembly and state agencies to accomplish clear objectives. I look forward to working with RIDOT and RIPTA on ensuring that every road in Providence, regardless of who is technically responsible for it, meets the needs of our citizenry. I also believe that there are opportunities for us to sweep and clean roadways that do not belong to the City.

The North Main Street project that I have been spearheading is an example of the type of collaboration that I will demand as Mayor. In order to create one of the highest-quality, multimodal transit systems in the country, parties will have to be understanding of each other and will be required to work together in partnership with community groups, bus riders, and folks who get around on a bike. We must commit ourselves to improving these systems in every neighborhood. I want to have increased communications with the leadership in the involved parties to make real progress in improving our public transportation system. We will also work with the community to get their input on the actual people affected by these plans, as we intend to involve anyone critically involved in any of the issues we face.

Yes! The City should work with the RIDOT, RIPTA and the state government to improve public transportation, such as increasing the frequency of bus service and train service (such as commuter rail), providing better real-time information, and providing sheltered stops. In order for residents to take advantage of enhanced services, it is important to expand accessibility and reliability of transit, as well as fare-free services. The public must have access to public transportation. It benefits everyone when commuters switch from car use to transit-not just the people riding trains and buses, but also the people driving in the congested traffic on roads that breathe cleaner air.

A state agency, RIDOT, is out of city control in Providence, but the city can advocate and drive progress with intermediate steps until transit justice is achieved. In order to improve equity across transit systems, removing barriers and improving the reliability of bus service should be a priority since bus riders disproportionately are commuters of color and low-income people, such as many essential workers without other affordable transportation choices.

I look forward to collaborating with RIDOT and RIPTA regarding the Transit Master Plan and Bike Mobility Plan. I will assist in convening stakeholder groups to discuss proposed plans. Once consensus is reached, I will assist in passing city ordinances and will lobby the state legislature where needed.

While consensus building is often a long, arduous process, there is a right way to do it. It will be my intention to personally meet with every state stakeholder with a hand in making our streets greener, more accessible, and more equitable- potentially even hiring a coordinator at the city level to pursue this work. Through careful communication and planning, a state consensus around bicycle transit investment can be developed and put to good use.

Currently, I have great relationships with leaders at the state level, from legislators to agencies. I’ll utilize those relationships while also being a public advocate for different projects.

When I co-chaired the state’s Hunger Elimination Task Force with Dr. Alexander-Scott, one of the top things we heard from the community was the role of transportation and transit access for food security. I had a cross-agency function and dug in with my colleagues in Planning, RIDOH, and RIPTA on transportation planning processes and investment opportunities in public transit.

I similarly have been an effective advocate outside of state government on policies that affect transportation and climate change.

I would leverage this unique array of experiences — both from the inside as an outside advocate – to use the tools I have on Council to work with the city and state and our fellow state-level elected officials to increase mobility options and the safety and usability of our streets across the city.

Everyone must work together in equal cooperation.

When it comes to any proposed projects between various government agencies and institutions, my general philosophy and approach is to find ways to boost public participation and engagement, and to deepen our partnership with marginalized communities who have often taken on the burden of historically harmful transportation policy decisions. Lastly, it is my hope that all decisions are made with a strong and real commitment to equity.

My philosophy on collaborating with organizations like RIPTA and RIDOT, is the same as my philosophy when talking and reaching out to voters. We need full transparency and communication in order to see our goals realized. I would keep a totally open line of communication, and signal to these organizations exactly what the members of our community want and need, and where they are needed most. Additionally, even though some of these agencies act at a different layer of government, there is still a role for City Council. They need to be at the table and advocating for the people of Providence.

RIDOT needs to be held accountable. Over 190,000 people call Providence home. Basically one fifth of the entire state population. RIDOT needs to make investments where the people are and that is right here in Providence. My record on the Council to date shows that I have a record of advocating for my constituents and collaborating with leaders, stakeholders and the community to achieve consensus and lasting results. I will continue to advocate for my constituents and work to increase mobility options and safer, cleaner streets in our city.

I believe Providence elected officials (city and state level) need to do a better job in teaming up when working with RIDOT. We need to have a strong collaboration when fighting for the needs of our neighbors. We need to make sure our residents needs and concerns are being heard and I will make sure to elevate those at any opportunity I get. If our residents don’t want something that the state wants to impose on us, then I will use to every tool I have to make sure those development projects don’t happen.

I would work diligently with them to find out what is best for the streets of our city.

I will support any program that will Get our streets cleaned a d increase street sleeping at night

My philosophy is one of respectful and deep collaboration and I believe that elected officials work for the betterment of their community and have the honor of being their voice. I would need to spend some time looking more deeply into these projects and speaking with my neighbors, in community meetings I hope to resume, about their needs and desires. It is my job to then do the work to make that happen to the best of my ability.

My approach, like my politics, is radically practical: my job is to create neighborhood-level consensus and dialogue. As City Counselor, my role will be to present residents with the most accurate public health and economic data for common sense changes that yield fewer traffic deaths and save ordinary people money.

No matter what, I will work with our State Senate and House representatives as they engage in their official oversight role of RIDOT. But this is the State delegation’s role. It’s important to me that City and State issues – even when they are overlapping – are handled by the appropriate representatives. This will improve the constituent services politicians can deliver for their neighbors and prevent infighting and miscommunication. I’m concerned when Representatives and Senators serve in city government and when city officials serve in State government. This poses a conflict of interests – or the perception of one – that diminishes people’s overall confidence that government decisions are made based data, not politics.

There are already proposals for some of these roadways which will bring safer bike/pedestrian lanes. My philosophy is to work with these entities to propose and pass sensible and good legislation for safe and clean streets. Again included within these entities should require community engagement. This is one of the best ways for residents to understand the why and advocate for the changes we see best. As councilperson, one of my priorities is to engage the community and offer advocacy on our behalf.

My approach would be. I am born and raised in Providence. I have taken the Ripta bus line for most of my life. I know the amount of money your company has made over the years. I also know how many lives you have helped. And I also know how many lives you have failed. Its time to give back to those who have given you your company for years on end. For the betterment of our community. Same angle with All the other Transit companies as well.

When elected i will certainly be working with City Hall to make sure that more efficient and safer public transit will be supported in any way that will improve mobility in my community and the city of Providence as a whole.

I don’t know.
 

We need to be a partner with these state agencies and with the Providence delegation at the General Assembly. That includes initiating active communication (because unfortunately the state agencies often don’t) and strong advocacy that puts Providence residents’ access and safety first.

I will leverage the fact that Providence is the largest city and the capital to propose having the Providence City Council Committee on Public Works have quarterly meetings with all stakeholders: the public, RIDOT, RIPTA, DPW to move forward with improving public transit, biking and pedestrian infrastructure in a unified direction.

I think we have a great opportunity in this City Council to really be innovative in our approaches as a collective who wants to forge great opportunities for city growth and improvement. We have an opportunity to really work together to create some guiding principles around what we believe are priorities and this is a perfect opportunity for that.

8. The Providence Public School Department currently spends about $16 million per year on transportation via its contract with the private company First Student, to bus 9,000 elementary and middle school students daily. The City has had a rocky relationship with First Student – having no choice but to incur contract increases and being left without options during driver strikes. Even a small reduction in the number of children being bused could save millions of dollars that could then be used to support other improvements in the schools. Additionally, traffic congestion around schools during pickup/dropoff times is among the worst in the city. If elected, would you support policies and projects that will make it easier for children to walk, bike, or roll to Providence public schools?

[optional] Add additional thoughts on school transportation:

STRONGLY SUPPORT

This is something I touch upon in my policy platform. We should be making the transition to neighborhood schools in an effort to strengthen communities while also saving millions and clearing our roads of serious congestion and environmental impact caused by hundreds of buses.

Both of my children have biked to school, but the current infrastructure is not safe. We live 1.7 miles from my daughter’s middle school — about a 12 min bike ride. But, I do not feel comfortable letting her ride alone. The bike lines on the Boulevard are unprotected, and there are not any on Elmgrove, Hope or Session (where her school is located) or on Camp where MLK is located.

We could save a significant amount of money if we provided more families with options to get around and also stopped printing bus passes. I have been pushing for the city to work with Brown to create school IDs for students that they can swipe on the bus, similar to Brown employees. Achieving that goal will be a priority as Mayor. I want to ensure that all Providence public school students have access to free public transportation, and if they choose to walk or take a bus, I intend on ensuring their safety as they do.

We must adopt swift and actionable plans to decarbonize and refocus on sustainable economic and societal function. Net-zero goals should include across-the-board reductions in carbon emissions from transportation, buildings, waste processing, and the energy supply. These currently create varying portions of the city’s total emissions with buildings making up a significant total. Public schools remain the largest part of electric and gas consumption, which makes them a smart choice for early changes from both an environmental and social focus.

City goals for carbon neutrality should include a decreased timeline to better benefit all residents and the environment. Decarbonization depends on 100% reliance on sustainable electric sources by 2035 and neutral carbon municipal buildings by 2024. The current Climate Justice Plan in place from 2019 (which I support!) unfortunately stretches these goals to 2050. These less stringent goals do not align with scientific reality. If allowed to continue for an extra decade, achieving net-zero will not be enough to maintain habitable temperatures in light of current climate change projections.

As bike transit is healthier for both students and the environment, I am a huge proponent of students using alternative transportation to get to school, provided it is safe and accessible.

I would also support additional options for busing, too. My understanding is that high school students who live more than 2 1/2 miles from their school receive RIPTA passes to commute to school. 2 1/2 miles is still quite a distance for students to travel — especially since many do not have access to cars. As we experience very high levels of absenteeism in our schools, we should be removing all barriers for kids to arrive safely at school — which could involve increased use of RIPTA or increased options for busing of other types — in addition to active mobility options.

School busing was to integrate our schools.
That goal has rightfully been accomplished.
Not so much because of busing in this day and age but because our neighborhoods are integrated and rightfully so.

I look to support projects that will uplift our youth, as they are the future of our neighborhood and city. Students and families deserve choices in their transportation, especially as students age and are able to travel alone. Children being able to walk, bike and roll where it is safe, cost effective to the family, first and sustainable are a priority for me.

We should have more, smaller schools that are within walking distance. Especially for elementary school students. We should also think about ways of creating competition with the bussing company such as incentivizing carpooling amongst neighbors. I do not think that these solutions are mutually exclusive necessarily. Different people will change their behavior in different ways. My social work training tells me to meet people where they are, work with community strengths and listen more to students and parents themselves.

Most people I speak to want “good quality” neighborhood schools that are within walking distance. However, people find that we have such a small amount of good schools which too often requires a long drive or bus transportation. We need to improve all our schools so that neighborhood schools becomes more of a reality for parents.

Please add ride to this list! We should revisit extending RIPTA passes for travel less than a mile.

We must prioritize funding towards rebuilding and fully funding our schools. We should certainly fund alternative transportation for students but we should also ensure that every Providence family has a high-quality public school to attend in their neighborhood. By properly funding our schools, we can reduce the number of families who choose to send their children to a school outside of their neighborhood.

School transportation is a hot button topic as it relates to the lackluster improvements in the Providence School system. I support going back to a neighborhood school system where we don’t see the need for as many school buses on the road.

SOMEWHAT SUPPORT

I will always advocate for ways to reduce traffic congestion in and around our schools and elsewhere, but first and formost we must protect and ensure our children’s safety.

SOMEWHAT OPPOSE

As a Providence resident, growing up here the time that you would see an increase in public safety issues with young people was during the walk to and from school. The bus provides an extra safety for children and families in many capacities. I would love to see more kids being active to and from school, but I don’t see how we could allow this while maintaining safety for children. Being a parent and a grandparent, safety is very important to me.

9. How will you prioritize snow removal from sidewalks, bike lanes, and bus stops?

I believe that Providence can be the best-run city in the entire country by focusing on what matters – simple quality-of-life issues. That means better coordination across city departments and better vendor management, including roadwork and snow plowing. We need to get used to doing things the right way, the first time. That includes snow removal from streets, sidewalks and bike lanes and working with partners to ensure that bus stops. As mayor, I will ensure that the departments who do this work are streamlined and resourced to ensure prompt clean-up hours after a storm.

We need to invest in the tools to accomplish this. Bobcats, smaller plows, and the technology to assign and track performance.

Part of my platform is “A Government that Gets the Basics Right”. In this section, one of the priorities is to fill the potholes, pick up the trash, and shovel the snow in every neighborhood. I intend to put emphasis on the basics of road maintenance. Also, the city should have clear signage and regular communication about street sweeping. I intend to increase the frequency of street cleaning but also clearly indicate which sides of the street and which date they will be swept.

I would also like to incorporate a seasonal work initiative to train and hire residents for seasonal jobs like picking up the trash, doing snow removal, and I would like to establish a community ambassador program where once a month we have a city wide street cleaning initiative from April to October.

By working in partnership with DPW to get the job done. Our recently released “Quality of Life” plan is a people-powered, living, breathing blueprint with a clear vision to improve the entire City for everyone. With input from nearly 600 people thus far, it includes solutions to address snow removal. A few ideas that will ensure accountability and efficiency in prioritizing snow removal from /bike lanes and bus stop include:
– Expanding metrics and using analytics to track the performance of the Department of Public Works in real-time
– Creating a continually updated public score for each City Department to ensure top-of-the-line customer service
– Eliminating complacency and mandate efficiency on sidewalks, street sweeping, snow removal, etc.

I will advocate for resources to enforce existing ordinances regarding snow removal from sidewalks, bike lanes and bus stops.

My candidacy is all about local issues, and making Providence better in the things it already does. Snow removal is chief among those- I would empower a citizen snow removal board, to field inquiries, complaints, and priorities to be communicated to the Department of Public Works. The idea here is to engage community members who care about the process to share information and research the best options for snow removal moving forward.

We prioritize snow removal from sidewalks, bike lanes, and bus stops by taxing these large non-profits like Brown that are taking up enormous amounts of property and receiving lots of city services leads us to defund city services. And using that money to increase funding for city services. While also exploring new and more clean technology around city services.

This is a great question. I will work alongside the Mayor and their team to ensure we are prioritizing curb to curb snow removal — including in our bike lanes. I will also ensure we are enforcing snow removal policies across the city. For example, in my ward, last winter, I consistently saw locally owned businesses prioritizing shoveling and de-icing the sidewalks outside of their businesses, while many of the large corporate businesses had treacherous sidewalks.

I would also want to ensure that we are providing community resources to those who are unable to clear their own paths. I am consistently impressed by the Snow Brigade on the East Side.

I would respond quickly if/when constituents flagged problem areas to me and work with the city to rectify them immediately.

I take buses even after a snow storm. That should answer that question lol.

I would support any changes in city policy that mandates that our Department of Public Works prioritizes snow removal of our roadways for drivers with the same focus and urgency to make roadways and bus stops passable for cyclists and those commuting by bus. This may require that our City hire more contractors and snow laborers to ensure that pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure is given the same attention.

Snow removal should be prioritized based on need. High traffic bus stops, bike lanes and sidewalks need to be shoveled out first. Once high traffic areas are cleared, I would want to make sure that the areas around larger apartment buildings (especially the affordable housing complexes) are done as they are likely to have higher concentrations of people who may be reliant on public transit or biking. Snow removal would also have to be prioritized in lower income areas where people are similarly reliant on non-car methods of transportation. After that, the rest of the city should be cleared. The City should be responsible for snow removal from sidewalks. Putting the burden on individuals means that older, or disabled residents have to find other people to help them, and this may not be a reality.

The new administration needs to be committed to delivering City services with examplary professionalism, including snow removal for those categories which fall into its jurisdiction. RIPTA and RIDOT need to step up and be responsibe for maintaining their areas, including timely snow removal from bus shelters and stops and state roads and bridges. RIPTA and RIDOT need to be held accountable.

We need to have comprehensive plans in place to make sure all sidewalks, bike lanes, and bus stops are plowed in a timely manner. We will need to make sure this is a priority for the next administration. We need to make sure commercial buildings have plans in place as well in terms of their sidewalks. We need to work with RIPTA to find out which bus stops in each ward have the most ridership so we can start with those and work our way down in terms of plowing right after a snowstorm.

Have the infrastructure in place with government workers and volunteers from the neighborhood to have the snow remove in a timely manner.

Yes making the city responsi le for cleaning g there sidewalks as well

It is the job of City Council to make sure that the city and its residents are well served. There are currently mechanisms in place that handle this and if it needs reviewing we should do that.

Snow removal is critical for basic safety and quality of life in the winter months, especially for essential workers, elders, and students. Snow removal should be based on community use and density, not political connections. Many of my neighbors who have lived in other neighborhoods report insufficient snow removal in this neighborhood simply because of our location and perceived political power. This is one of the City Council’s most important oversight roles: are city services really truly delivered equitably, everyday? 

One other approach to making snow management more efficient might be to explore ending parking bans and making mostly empty parking lots (of which there are far too many) open to certified neighborhood residents during storms. This would make clearing snow more centralized, potentially saving neighbors and city officials precious time.

Parking bans incentivize people to use significant amounts of their own property for parking as opposed to living space or additions to their house which could provide rental income, house a family member, or even serve as a small business shop. All of this will help to reduce the high cost of rent.

Access to school includes the transportation modes utilized by students. Sidewalks is a must as well as bus stops. In regard to bike lanes, we will need to monitor the adoption by bicycle users and ensure that we clear the ones used for transportation to work and school.

I would pay attention to forecast. Hire some people to salt sidewalks, bike lanes, bus stops, and streets. And keep a team in rotation when the snow does fall. To keep all sidewalks, bike lanes and bus stops clear, and safe for easy access.

City services is on the top of my list. Snow removal is important for people to travel throughout the city which means it is important to me.

I don’t know.

I have had numerous conversations with DPW about snow removal. There are other northern cities that get their fair share of snow and have figured out prompt snow removal from public shared surfaces; Boston and Minneapolis come to mind. It would be worthwhile to understand better the system they have implemented there and explore scaling it to Providence (also state-owned bridges!). It is so frustrating to see people in wheelchairs and other mobility issues traveling in the street when it snows – we’ve got to do better.

The city needs to invest in equipment that can plow these areas, and plow them at the level that meets the needs of all Providence residents.

In my Ward, I would ask that we continue to prioritize immediately the areas that are highly dense foot traffic area as all too often I see young people walking on the street to get to school or our neighbors in wheelchairs having to use the street to navigate.

10. Reducing vehicle speeds can be the difference between life and death, but many Providence residents view the school zone speed cameras as a “speed trap” and a “money grab” because no one knows where the revenue is going. Right now, only 35% of the speed camera revenue is used to pay for traffic calming infrastructure. Do you support increasing that percentage so the City can afford the capital improvements that would permanently reduce speeding in school zones and eliminate the need for speed cameras?

[optional] Add additional thoughts on traffic enforcement: 

STRONGLY SUPPORT

Yes, the transportation policies referenced above would most likely include increasing the percentage from this stream of revenue towards traffic calming. This is part of improving the accessibility and equitability for all in our city of Providence and also having additional funds to support the initiatives that I have proposed and outlined in my platform.

We also need to work with public safety and the community to eliminate ATV use on our public streets. They are not made for use on public streets/roads. I would like to work with the State and riders to identify a remote location for ATV usage. We must employ equitable and just strategies to hold those accountable who are carelessly riding ATVs.

This is a no-brainer!

While speed cameras contribute significant revenue to our city, I prefer to have the city make revenue through nonpunitive means. While more expensive, capital improvements- street upgrades that naturally curb dangerous driving behavior- are a more permanent solution to the issue, and I would fully support making our way towards that systemic fix.

I would be in favor of turning 100% of those funds to traffic calming infrastructure. I would seek to join the Finance Committee and figure out how to cover those funding gaps.

My understanding is that the speed cameras do not necessarily cause drivers to reduce the speed at which they travel – but just impose fines for traveling above the speed limit in certain zones. We should be prioritizing traffic calming measures that actually keep people safe — especially kids in school zones. I would support using the revenue from these cameras to create safer streets and reduce the need for the cameras.

I have also personally talked with many people who do not know that the speed limit in Providence is 25 mph unless otherwise marked. Many of the larger roads are built in ways that make you feel as a driver like you could be going more quickly and likely need better signage (along with traffic calming measures) to educate drivers on the legal and safe speed.

The current administration has always had huge issues regarding transparency and trust. I would absolutely support increasing that percentage of revenue, and I would do it openly and loudly, so that everyone knows what their hard earned income is going towards.

I also do not think that we should rely on speed traps as a means of traffic enforcement. These cameras ultimately become a regressive tax on low income and working communities.

I support and voted for the use of the revenue generated from speed cameras to be desginated to fund traffic calming infrastructure.

Accordion Content

The best way to make our streets safer is better street design. I would like to see a portion of the police budget that is used for traffic enforcement to be reallocated towards implementing traffic calming measures on streets that have the most accidents.

SOMEWHAT SUPPORT

In general, yes. City revenues – whether it’s a tobacco tax or speeding tickets – should fund attempts to correct the underlying policy problem: improving driving behavior and preventing nicotine use in children. This is how good policy works. This can also help prevent spending waste. If problems and solutions are not transparently connected by smart policy, we should expect a general level of cynicism about government spending and taxation of hard-earned money.

In order to answer this specific question, I need to know what the other 65% of the revenue goes to: if the answer were school social workers, then I think we would have to have a careful recalibration of the funding to ensure critical city services like social workers are not relying on controversial revenue streams.

I don’t have much of a problem with speed cameras in general. Cameras are more fair, efficient, and a safer deterrent of speeding than armed officers hidden across the City. Over-reliance on cameras of course could pose problems from a privacy perspective. There must be a balance. Insofar as people continue to drive recklessly in certain neighborhoods, people must be held to account for particularly dangerous activity. This may require deeper forms of remediation and restorative dialogue between offenders and the community. This is an opportunity for me – a hopeful City Conselor with a social work background – to craft policies that complement existing traffic camera use.

I would be inclined to getting a higher percentage but I’d like to know more about those finances before committing stronger support.

This is tricky. It makes perfect sense to increase the percentage of revenue for traffic calming measures if the infrastructure was going to implement, say a large speed bump (not always popular I know) in the areas necessary and then reduce the speed below the 20MPH and impose larger fines for the violations in school areas. I would not however, like to use the increased revenues on the purchase of additional cameras or technology that hasn’t been properly researched. We can’t utilize increased revenue dollars to then purchase improperly vetted technology.

STRONGLY OPPOSE

I would like to see how these revenues are currently being use and what the plans to change them are and in what ways those area beneficial to Ward 9. We should look into using speed bumps/tables as opposed to punitive measures that burden the communities that can least afford them.

11. Pollution from cars and trucks currently make up 30% of Providence’s carbon emissions, contributing to extremely high rates of asthma and public health issues in Providence’s lower income communities of color near highways and arterial roads. The Providence Climate Justice Plan calls for an 11% reduction in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by 2030, and for 45% of all VMT to be electrified by 2030. Furthermore, the RI General Assembly passed the Act on Climate in 2021, requiring that greenhouse gas emissions be 45% below 1990 levels by 2030, and net zero by 2050. Any Rhode Island resident, business, or organization may bring a civil action to enforce this chapter starting in 2026. Do you support reducing and electrifying the miles driven in and around Providence?

[optional] Add additional thoughts on the climate crisis and mobility: 

STRONGLY SUPPORT

We will begin by transitioning our City fleet to all-electric.

I intend on continuing the efforts that are laid out by the 2021 Act on Climate, to be carbon neutral in the city of Providence by 2050. I do support increasing the number of electric vehicles being driven in and around providence, and also want to look into other technologies that could also increase sustainability and energy efficiency in the city.

During my first 100 days in office, I want to evaluate the progress of the Climate Justice Plan and sharpen the focus of these efforts towards environmental mitigation, resiliency, adaptation, and infrastructure improvement. In doing so, I want to invite climate researchers and practitioners, those involved in the community, sustainability office workers, public health experts involved in respiratory diseases and other environmental harms, and more to promote the best actions moving forward. This will lead to reduced environmental harms in our city and will help us plan to improve the climate crisis in multiple aspects, not just transportation.

There is a substantial chunk of infrastructure funds dedicated to the creation of more electric vehicle charging stations, and as Mayor, I would work with the State and our federal delegation to ensure that we have enough stations to put our City in a position to support an electric vehicle culture.

Efficiencies, cleanness, safety, and affordability of transportation are vital to reducing GHG emissions.

In order to achieve a carbon-neutral transportation system, we need to reduce our dependence on cars and use more sustainable alternatives for all transportation needs, including commuting and freight. We must reduce or eliminate co2 emissions by 2040 by using alternative-fuel vehicles widely, especially walking, biking, and taking transit. For transportation management to be successful, a shift away from single-occupant vehicles is needed, as well as an expansion of electric charging networks. In addition to barges, trains, and last-mile micro-mobility options such as cargo bikes, the city will need to develop zero-emission vehicles for transportation. Efficient mobility and modern infrastructure aim to make a city’s transportation system safer, more accessible, and more sustainable. This commitment includes:
• Develop a citywide network of EV charging systems
We plan to install fast-charging stations on city-owned property and install curbside level 2 chargers in conjunction with energy partners in order to increase the number of public chargers across the city.
• Reduce the city’s municipal fleet and lower emissions
Technology and transportation trends encourage the city to make smart changes to its fleet, which results in fewer and smaller vehicles and fewer vehicle miles traveled. We will achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. Electrification, developing hybrid and electric vehicles, and improving fleet efficiency will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near future. Reducing carbon dioxide emissions will require getting a 100 percent clean electricity grid and using technology to enhance emergency response and other heavy vehicles in the long run.
• Encourage the reduction of emissions from commercial and fleet vehicles
Vehicle air pollution will be monitored through advanced sensing, and dedicated curb space will be explored for zero-emission vehicles. Optimal performance will be promoted among fleet operators by upgrading to the most efficient models available.

If we are to take the Act on Climate seriously, Providence must lead the way when it comes to the electrification of our city’s fleet of vehicles. Supporting and incentivizing bike transit is another great way for the city to meet its VMT reduction goals.

I believe we need a city level green new deal that’ll encompass aggressive climate policy. The reality is though we can’t save the world from Providence but we can lead the way. So we should by joining the national climate agenda for a Green New Deal.

I was part of the coalition that helped pass Act on Climate, and I also have been working on implementing the Climate Justice Plan in my role as chair of the Providence Sustainability Commission. I have demonstrated my support for these policies, and will support them in new ways as a Councilor.

I also have demonstrated this commitment in my own life. When my 15 year old Honda Civic recently ‘died’, my husband and I replaced it with a 100% electric car. While we still rely on our car for getting around to many places, our miles are all 100% electric. (We charge at home, where we have solar on our roof and offset the remainder of our usage with the Green Powered program at Green Energy Consumers).

We have witnessed the climate crisis get worse and worse as time goes on, as well as pollution affecting us more and more on a daily basis. I will support every effort to reduce carbon emissions and end the mass corporate pollution of our city.

Caring about the environment is not a choice anymore and neither is just talking about it.

I would like to move up the net zero goal by 5-10 years in the climate justice plan.

Yes, 100%. Electric vehicles and battery-storage infrastructure will define successful cities in the coming 50 years. Providence can be a well-run, world-renown city that has: ease of movement, ample public parks, affordable, cleaner transportations, and diverse city cultures in all 15 wards. Business and investment will flow to the places where there is electric vehicle infrastructure, biking and walking infrastructure that connects neighborhoods, and employers. 

Failing to include neighborhoods like Elmwood – that feature generations of hard-working immigrant families – in the development of clean energy infrastructure cannot be an option. That would be to fail as a City in all its history. Modernizing our energy system presents new opportunities for wealth generation for families who deserve it.

Climate justice is an important topic especially in black&brown communities. Our communities deserve a reduction in emissions and incentives for people to drive electric vehicles.

Reducing miles driven makes more sense than substituting fuel miles driven with electric miles driven. I’ll bet the Act on Climate has some serious revision before 2030. Market forces are market forces and we will see what happens.

I will advocate for Providence to have a world class Rapid Bus Transit system, and increase bike and pedestrian infrastructure to meet our climate goals and reduce asthma rates for the people who live near highways and arterial roads by improving air quality.

I’d like to propose follow up studies in 5/10 years to see how we’re doing in combating the climate crisis in our lower income communities to see if we’re actually on the right track. I’m a proponent of utilizing systems that work but not letting time waste when they don’t so that we can pivot when necessary. It’s how we should approach a forward thinking city that is advocating for our underserved.

SOMEWHAT SUPPORT

At one point the city was talking about electric car shares, I am interested to see where that went. We are looking to promote health, wellness and equity and the City has to make changes to the way that looks. That includes the bike and scooter shares, ride-shares in the city and any car shares that would become available. The goal has to be to have an offering for residents that fit their economic needs.

I believe that reducing emissions is important. I will absolutely be in support of reducing emissions for the future of our great city. Safety and quality of life are very high on my priority list and I will do what is in my power to create a safe and healthy environment for the people of my community.

NEITHER SUPPORT OR OPPOSE

The time to act is beyond overdue.

12. The City’s Comprehensive Plan, which is enforced through the City’s Zoning Ordinance, is about to undergo a once-in-a-decade update between now and 2024. In order to increase the amount of affordably priced homes in the city and encourage more sustainable transportation choices, would you support reducing or eliminating mandatory parking minimums for all new development city-wide?

[optional] Add additional thoughts on land use policy that will increase density, affordability, and walkability:

STRONGLY SUPPORT

Reform zoning now. Upzone.

Restrictive zoning and various land use regulations are factors that affect housing affordability. They can delay the development of both single and multi-family homes, and with the rising demand and housing costs, they create a barrier to the access of affordable housing. I look forward to conducting a full assessment of our city’s comprehensive zoning plan and taking a more equity-based approach that includes  land use strategies that address the legacy of racial and socioeconomic injustice so that we can better meet the city’s housing and development needs. We must prioritize the needs of our most vulnerable community members including BIPOC, immigrant, low-income communities and those who are unhoused, disabled and aging by increasing density and creating an inclusive city that is sustainable, affordable and accessible for all to live in and get around.

would absolutely support eliminating parking minimums in all new housing developments. Sustainable, affordable housing is perhaps what the City of Providence needs most, and we will never achieve that goal unless we are fully committed to these policies.

This is one of the easiest, low-cost, common-sense things that Providence can do to encourage new development and reduce rent. 

I’ll take this prompt one step further. Parking lots over a certain size should be subject to a marginal tax or penalty to encourage: (1) housing development to drive down average rents; or (2) community solar projects to decrease energy costs by letting neighbors buy a portion of a panel’s production and have the energy credited to their utility bill. Large, empty parking lots are heat sinks that make the neighborhood hotter, and increase rent.

We know that the City of Providence has an affordable housing problem. The good news is that Providence has received millions of dollars from Washington DC, the State of Rhode Island, and a local housing bond to build housing. The bad news is that current zoning limits the creation of dense, multifamily housing evenly across the city. We need affordable housing across all neighborhoods. I propose up-zoning the whole city to allow for 2, 3, and 4 unit multi-families and even denser development in transit zones.

“Up-zoning” will give homeowners and builders the freedom to build more, denser housing units across the city, decreasing average rents for all, and preserving family connectedness.

I will work with the community and advocates to address the housing crisis. I will advocate that Providence take full advantage of all funds available for building affordable housing. I will fight to implement a cap on rents, and other measures to increase housing in a way that assures development without displacement.

SOMEWHAT SUPPORT

To incentivize more affordable housing development, I support eliminating parking requirements for 100% affordable housing projects. I already have an ordinance drafted on this policy that I intend to file before the City Council.

There is absolutely no reason that downtown construction should be stymied by parking requirements. While I would have to talk with neighbors before committing to reducing or eliminating parking requirements in our neighborhoods, I would fully support reducing or eliminating parking requirements in the already denser parts of the city.

Our priority must be to improve our mass transit systems. I would be more inclined to strongly support this policy change if our public transit systems were further developed, but right now they are not. Also, we need to be mindful of our elderly, disabled and infirm residents who have genuine mobility issues and without a reliable public transit system will continue to need vehicles.

This questions sounds like it is bordering on gentrification, we have to be careful when we put gentrification and equity together like this.

As much as I think we need to reduce our dependency on personal vehicles, it wouldn’t be responsible to have a blanket elimination of parking minimums for all new developments. In some cases, the neighborhood will be overburdened by the demand of parking caused by some projects. Credible traffic and parking studies can alleviate some of these concerns if they can reliably predict car usage within a new development.

Perhaps try it in a pilot area of the city.

I do strongly support this measure and have supported it multiple times in the neighborhood on zoning variations already in my work on the Ordinance Committee, however- please see the flagged issue above with parking at commercial units. Eliminating parking minimums without working with the state and city to increase RIPTA and other public options is not likely to decrease the number of cars significantly on the street; it instead is including more illegally parked cars on the street and making streets more congested and less safe. We need to couple this with other measures to make it truly effective.

It is also worth pointing out that the ability to have a vehicle parked outside one’s home is an important equity issue. I’d like to see the disability community included in conversations about eliminating parking so that we can ensure we’re not making Providence even less accessible.

NEITHER SUPPORT OR OPPOSE

I think smart building that creates a “housing for all” objective and creates solid jobs for the people of Providence is a great way to ensure that we’re hitting on several issues that are of concern today. It’s clear that we need to build in order to combat our housing issues. This however needs to be done though with prevailing wages, prioritizing MBE/WBE participation in the process, incentivizing companies to use Green infrastructure….the list goes on. All of this however, needs to be met with the proper support from the different neighborhoods so that we don’t lose out on what makes our neighborhoods distinct and diverse. It makes good sense to focus our efforts simultaneously on expanding density, prioritizing affordability and gaining walkability while maintaining all the reasons why we love Providence.

SOMEWHAT OPPOSE

In order for me to support this initiative we would have to be in a much better place with public transit. With parking being a problem already in the city I couldn’t stand for this without the increase in public transit routes and a more frequent schedule. Once this is done then I could definitely get behind this initiative.

THANKS FOR READING OUR QUESTIONNAIRE!

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City Council candidates who did not provide answers:

Ward 3: Michael Fink (I)
Ward 4: Steven Carrera (D), Stephen Napolitano (D)
Ward 5: Steven Cianci (I)
Ward 8: James Taylor (D)
Ward 9: Gerald Catala (D), Juan Pichardo (D), Jose Perez Corporan (I)
Ward 10: Pedro Espinal (D), Natalia Rosa Sosa (I)
Ward 11: Mary Kay Harris (D), George Lindsay (D)
Ward 12: Althea Graves (D), Seangsouk Keobouthanh (I)
Ward 14: Patrick Griffin (D), Ronald Iacobbo (R)
Ward 15: Oscar Vargas (D), Santos Javier (D)

Read the letter to the candidates for Governor and add your name to it!

On Wednesday, July 27th, 2022, 36 organizations that are deeply concerned about the future of Rhode Island’s transportation systems sent an open letter to each of the 8 candidates for governor, calling on the next administration to make bold changes to bring our state’s transportation infrastructure into the 21st century.

The letter states that “Rhode Island’s outdated transportation system is failing to keep pace with the needs of our residents, our economy and our planet. We believe that Rhode Islanders deserve a transportation system that provides for their diverse mobility needs, reduces air pollution, improves local economic development, supports affordable housing development, and cuts greenhouse gas emissions.”

Read the full letter here and add your voice here.