Boston Cyclists Union

Alexandra Valdez she/her/ella

Website: https://www.valdezforboston.com/

Candidate Travel Background

What is your experience biking and/or walking around Boston?

I obtained my drivers license when I was 23 public transit/walking was my main form of transportation. I currently bike with my son weekly.

How do you typically get around Boston? Please rank the choices with 1 being most often.

1. Scooter or other micromobility
2. Bicycle
3. Walking
4. Public transit
5. Rideshare or taxi
6. Personal vehicle

How does the way you get around influence your perspective on transportation policy?

Because I take the T, bike, and drive, I experience firsthand the strengths and challenges our transportation system has. That shapes how I look at policy, I notice the need for a balanced approach that supports all modes of travel. It’s made me especially focused on improving safety for cyclists and pedestrians, making transit more reliable and accessible, and maintaining roads that serve everyone. To me, good transportation policy means creating a connected, affordable, and sustainable network that truly works for every resident

Have you ever visited a place where you felt you could get around without a car?

Yes

(Optional) Which places did you visit where you felt like you could get around without a car? What about that place made it feel accessible without a car?

While living in DC right after college and working at the Hispanic Congressional Caucus, I was able to get around without a car by taking the Metro, biking, and walking. The city felt accessible because transit, bike lanes, and walkable streets were well connected, making it easy and safe to reach work, errands, and neighborhoods. Experiencing this firsthand reinforced for me the importance of creating similar options in every community.

District Vision & Priorities

Do you believe your constituents primarily want more personal vehicle parking & driving space or expanded walking, biking, and public transit infrastructure?

1 = more personal vehicle space, 5 = expanded public transit infrastructure
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Which transportation challenges do you believe are most pressing for your constituents? Choose 3-5 of the options below.

frequency of bus/train/commuter rail service
lack of bus priority lanes/traffic
signals resulting in bus delays
condition/placement of bus stops
maintenance/condition of sidewalks
condition/existence of pavement markings
amount of parking for personal vehicles
availability of bicycle parking
condition/location of crosswalks
traffic signal timing
condition/availability of biking infrastructure
MBTA "The Ride" service

Will you commit to prioritizing at least one high-crash corridor or intersection in your district for safety improvements during your term?

Yes

(Optional) Please name specific high-crash corridors or intersections you will prioritize.
Examples include: Dorchester Ave & Columbia Rd, Mattapan Square.

Blue hill ave ( Franklin park), Blue hill Morton street, Boston Street & Columbia Road

Safer Streets & Infrastructure

How committed will you be to expanding safe biking, walking, and rolling (wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, etc.) infrastructure in your district?

1 = Not committed at all, 5 = Fully committed
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Would you support completing a citywide connected bike network by a target year (e.g., 2030), even if it requires reallocating parking or travel lanes?

Yes

Will you support requiring Boston to redesign at least 5 high-crash intersections per year, prioritizing areas near schools, libraries, and transit hubs?

Yes

Will you support upgrading quick-build bike lanes (plastic posts, paint) into permanent infrastructure (concrete curbs, planters) within 2 years of installation?

Yes

Budget & Accountability

Would you support a 2026 budget line item to continue growing an electrified BlueBike network with a focus on closing existing equity gaps in coverage?

Yes

Will you use your role in the city budget process to advocate for increased investments to the Streets Cabinet's budget for biking/walking/rolling infrastructure, policy, and programming?
Examples include: commitment to Vision Zero, the Boston Safe Routes to School Program, Learn-to-Bike sessions for adults and youth, and safe biking/walking infrastructure.

Yes

How confident are you that the Streets Cabinet, i.e., Boston Public Works and Transportation Departments are currently delivering projects equitably and on time?

1 = Not confident at all, 5 = Very confident
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

While a lot has been accomplished, there is more we can do to ensure that everyone is part of the conversation. This includes offering non-traditional community meeting hours, providing childcare during meetings, and actively engaging residents and business owners. Civic engagement must be approached through a cultural lens, ensuring that language, accessibility, and cultural context do not become barriers, so that all communities can meaningfully participate in planning and decision making.

Would you support raising the residential parking permit fee from $0 to $25 per car per year, with an exemption for anyone on SNAP or other means-tested government assistance, in order to raise $3 million dollars for transit and road safety improvements?

Yes

Community Engagement & Equity

In a hypothetical scenario in which the city proposes a change in pedestrian or mobility infrastructure, and it is broadly popular yet a small but vocal group opposes it because of parking changes, where would you place your support?

1 = Small but vocal neighborhood group, 5 = Supportive broader community
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Do you believe that community opposition to bike lanes, center running bus lanes, raised intersections, speed humps, etc., should override city-wide safety and equity goals?

No

(Optional) Studies have found that pedestrians from Black and Latino neighborhoods in Boston are more likely to be victims of traffic violence, even when they travel elsewhere in the city. What is your plan to address the racial disparities that impact street safety in Boston?

Addressing racial disparities in street safety requires prioritizing investments in historically underserved neighborhoods to ensure streets are safe for everyone. A family-centered approach, along with attention to seniors and vulnerable populations, ensures that street design, traffic calming, and crosswalk improvements meet the needs of all residents. Community engagement and multilingual education are also key to making safety improvements equitable and effective.

Climate & Transit Integration

How significant a role do you believe walking and biking should play in achieving Boston's climate action and resiliency goals?

1 = No role at all, 5 = Very significant role
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Will you support banning "right on red" at all traffic lights within city limits as adopted by Cambridge?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for unsafe driving such as speeding and red-light running at Boston's most hazardous intersections?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for illegal parking in bus stops, crosswalks, and bike lanes?

Yes

Mode Shift & Open Streets

Do you support expanding the Open Streets program (regular car-free streets for walking, biking, community gatherings)?

Yes

(Optional) Which streets or neighborhoods would you prioritize for expansion of the Open Streets?

I absolutely love Open Streets, it's a wonderful way to bring communities together. In my current role, I have worked to put this initiative together from a cultural lens, ensuring programming is inclusive and reflective of diverse communities. I would prioritize expanding it to neighborhoods that have not been participating, so all areas of the city can enjoy safe, car-free streets and the community building benefits they provide.

Would you support a mode-shift incentive program (discounted Bluebikes, MBTA passes, benefits for car-free households)?

Yes

Would you support expanding public programs for e-bike access (rebates, lotteries, subsidies for low-income residents)?

Yes

(Optional) Boston traffic is among the worst in the nation. What is your plan to have your constituents, your team, and you personally become less car dependent?

While a lot has been accomplished, there is more we can do to ensure that everyone is part of the conversation. This includes offering non-traditional community meeting hours, providing childcare during meetings, and actively engaging residents and business owners. Civic engagement must be approached through a cultural lens, ensuring that language, accessibility, and cultural context do not become barriers, so that all communities can meaningfully participate in planning and decision making.

(Optional) If you want to elaborate further on any of your answers in this survey, please do so here.

No response

Ben Weber he/him

Website: www.weberforboston.com

Candidate Travel Background

What is your experience biking and/or walking around Boston?

I have spent 17 years biking around my neighborhood in Jamaica Plain, with my kids (purchased around 6-7 bikes over the years from Ferris Wheels as the kids grew and for myself) or for exercise, I was a member of Charles River Wheelers and frequently participated in group rides, I have participated in several bike buses with families from the Lyndon and the Curley, I occasionally bike to work downtown, and I routinely go for walks through the Southwest Corridor, the Jamaica Pond, and the Arboretum to listen to music or walk my dog.

How do you typically get around Boston? Please rank the choices with 1 being most often.

1. Public transit
2. Walking
3. Personal vehicle
4. Bicycle
5. Rideshare or taxi
6. Scooter or other micromobility

How does the way you get around influence your perspective on transportation policy?

It connects me to the community I have spent 17 years living in, but it also informs my position when it comes to debates about transportation in Boston, where I strongly support the safety of cyclists and pedestrians over the ease of movement of cars.

Have you ever visited a place where you felt you could get around without a car?

Yes

(Optional) Which places did you visit where you felt like you could get around without a car? What about that place made it feel accessible without a car?

I lived for six years in NYC without a car, relying on public transportation, cycling, and walking. As for places I have visited where I felt like I could live without a car, these were places with robust public transit systems like London, Paris, and Vienna.

District Vision & Priorities

Do you believe your constituents primarily want more personal vehicle parking & driving space or expanded walking, biking, and public transit infrastructure?

1 = more personal vehicle space, 5 = expanded public transit infrastructure
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

People generally want expanded public transit infrastructure, which could include expanding the E branch of the Green Line from Heath Street to Canary Square or expanding the Orange Line from Forest Hills to Roslindale and West Roxbury. Due to the lack of infrastructure, however, I still get regular calls for sufficient parking in both JP and West Roxbury.

Which transportation challenges do you believe are most pressing for your constituents? Choose 3-5 of the options below.

frequency of bus/train/commuter rail service
lack of bus priority lanes/traffic
signals resulting in bus delays
condition/placement of bus stops
maintenance/condition of sidewalks
condition/existence of pavement markings
amount of parking for personal vehicles
availability of bicycle parking
condition/location of crosswalks
traffic signal timing
condition/availability of biking infrastructure
MBTA "The Ride" service

Will you commit to prioritizing at least one high-crash corridor or intersection in your district for safety improvements during your term?

Yes

(Optional) Please name specific high-crash corridors or intersections you will prioritize.
Examples include: Dorchester Ave & Columbia Rd, Mattapan Square.

Hyde Park Avenue near the Forest Hills T station, South Huntington and Heath Street, Egleston Square, Lagrange Street in West Roxbury

Safer Streets & Infrastructure

How committed will you be to expanding safe biking, walking, and rolling (wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, etc.) infrastructure in your district?

1 = Not committed at all, 5 = Fully committed
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Would you support completing a citywide connected bike network by a target year (e.g., 2030), even if it requires reallocating parking or travel lanes?

Yes

Will you support requiring Boston to redesign at least 5 high-crash intersections per year, prioritizing areas near schools, libraries, and transit hubs?

Yes

Will you support upgrading quick-build bike lanes (plastic posts, paint) into permanent infrastructure (concrete curbs, planters) within 2 years of installation?

Yes

Budget & Accountability

Would you support a 2026 budget line item to continue growing an electrified BlueBike network with a focus on closing existing equity gaps in coverage?

Yes

Will you use your role in the city budget process to advocate for increased investments to the Streets Cabinet's budget for biking/walking/rolling infrastructure, policy, and programming?
Examples include: commitment to Vision Zero, the Boston Safe Routes to School Program, Learn-to-Bike sessions for adults and youth, and safe biking/walking infrastructure.

Yes

How confident are you that the Streets Cabinet, i.e., Boston Public Works and Transportation Departments are currently delivering projects equitably and on time?

1 = Not confident at all, 5 = Very confident
1 ⬛️⬛️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

Over the last 6-7 months, there has been a slowdown in safety projects, including on Hyde Park Avenue and the Egleston Square redesign (which will be necessary to promote biking to White Stadium after it is renovated).

Would you support raising the residential parking permit fee from $0 to $25 per car per year, with an exemption for anyone on SNAP or other means-tested government assistance, in order to raise $3 million dollars for transit and road safety improvements?

Yes

Community Engagement & Equity

In a hypothetical scenario in which the city proposes a change in pedestrian or mobility infrastructure, and it is broadly popular yet a small but vocal group opposes it because of parking changes, where would you place your support?

1 = Small but vocal neighborhood group, 5 = Supportive broader community
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

I don't think parking spaces should come at the expense of pedestrian and cyclist safety.

Do you believe that community opposition to bike lanes, center running bus lanes, raised intersections, speed humps, etc., should override city-wide safety and equity goals?

No

(Optional) Studies have found that pedestrians from Black and Latino neighborhoods in Boston are more likely to be victims of traffic violence, even when they travel elsewhere in the city. What is your plan to address the racial disparities that impact street safety in Boston?

We need to expand traffic calming measures like speed humps and bike lanes, improve street lighting, and implement citywide red-light cameras to slow cars down.

Climate & Transit Integration

How significant a role do you believe walking and biking should play in achieving Boston's climate action and resiliency goals?

1 = No role at all, 5 = Very significant role
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

Getting people out of their cars and onto trains, buses, bikes, or on foot is crucial to reducing harmful emissions.

Will you support banning "right on red" at all traffic lights within city limits as adopted by Cambridge?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for unsafe driving such as speeding and red-light running at Boston's most hazardous intersections?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for illegal parking in bus stops, crosswalks, and bike lanes?

Yes

Mode Shift & Open Streets

Do you support expanding the Open Streets program (regular car-free streets for walking, biking, community gatherings)?

Yes

(Optional) Which streets or neighborhoods would you prioritize for expansion of the Open Streets?

I would like to have a group ride along the Jamaicaway.

Would you support a mode-shift incentive program (discounted Bluebikes, MBTA passes, benefits for car-free households)?

Yes

Would you support expanding public programs for e-bike access (rebates, lotteries, subsidies for low-income residents)?

Yes

(Optional) Boston traffic is among the worst in the nation. What is your plan to have your constituents, your team, and you personally become less car dependent?

We need to convince Bostonians to get out of their cars, but right now traffic is choking my district whether it is on Hyde Park Avenue, the Arborway, or Centre Street in West Roxbury. We need to invest in public transportation infrastructure, such as expanding the Orange Line beyond Forest Hills. My family chose to live where we live now in large part because it is a couple blocks away from the Stonybrook stop of the Orange Line. Expanding bus lanes, bus service, trains, and establishing a citywide bike lane network, will go a long way toward reducing traffic because people won't need cars to get around the city.

(Optional) If you want to elaborate further on any of your answers in this survey, please do so here.

No response

Coach Ahmed (he/him)

Website: votecoachahmed.com

Candidate Travel Background

What is your experience biking and/or walking around Boston?

As a former national track athlete, I love walking and jogging around our neighborhoods, it's how I stay connected to the community and see firsthand what's happening on our streets. Though as a father of five, the reality is I rely on my car and public transportation to get my kids where they need to go.

That being said, my children and my students bike all across Boston. Their safety, and the safety of every young person who bikes or walks in our city, is a top priority for me. We need to make sure our streets are safe and accessible for everyone, whether you are walking, jogging, biking, or driving.

How do you typically get around Boston? Please rank the choices with 1 being most often.

1. Personal vehicle
2. Walking
3. Public transit
4. Bicycle
5. Rideshare or taxi
6. Scooter or other micromobility

How does the way you get around influence your perspective on transportation policy?

Personally, living next to a major transportation corridor, where I live only steps away from the Roxbury Crossing T-stop and major bus routes, I feel lucky to feel connected to the entire city. On the doors, I hear the pain and struggle many of my neighbors across District 7 face in regards to transportation, more specifically a lack of reliable transportation. I strongly believe that every resident across Roxbury, Dorchester, the South End, and Fenway should have the same privilege as my family and me. Every resident should not feel secluded from the city, or worry about getting to work on time.

Have you ever visited a place where you felt you could get around without a car?

Yes

(Optional) Which places did you visit where you felt like you could get around without a car? What about that place made it feel accessible without a car?

I do not have to go far, the South End neighborhood right here in District 7 feels like it is accessible without a car. Everything you need is just a short walk away, and the neighborhood is extremely bike friendly. It's one of those places where day-to-day life can really happen on foot or by bike.

District Vision & Priorities

Do you believe your constituents primarily want more personal vehicle parking & driving space or expanded walking, biking, and public transit infrastructure?

1 = more personal vehicle space, 5 = expanded public transit infrastructure
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

This is a tough question, because what I have heard from thousands of conversations on the doors and in the community is that there is no single answer. Some neighbors are deeply frustrated with bike lanes, yet are also strong champions of improving our public transit system. Others are in favor of public transportation yet are wary of bus lane projects because of previous proposals that have threatened to cut down dozens of trees in a neighborhood (Roxbury) already suffering from extreme heat and polluted air. There are also many of our elderly residents who feel left behind when they see the abysmal state of some our sidewalks, and feel anger towards cyclists because they will ride on sidewalks, all because they do not feel the streets are not safe enough to bike on. At the same time, so many families like mine are calling for safer streets, streets where cyclists and drivers alike can get around without fear. The discussion needs to be had where the entire community is brought together to make some real change.

Which transportation challenges do you believe are most pressing for your constituents? Choose 3-5 of the options below.

frequency of bus/train/commuter rail service
lack of bus priority lanes/traffic
signals resulting in bus delays
condition/placement of bus stops
maintenance/condition of sidewalks
condition/existence of pavement markings
amount of parking for personal vehicles
availability of bicycle parking
condition/location of crosswalks
traffic signal timing
condition/availability of biking infrastructure
MBTA "The Ride" service

Will you commit to prioritizing at least one high-crash corridor or intersection in your district for safety improvements during your term?

Yes

(Optional) Please name specific high-crash corridors or intersections you will prioritize.
Examples include: Dorchester Ave & Columbia Rd, Mattapan Square.

One of the streets I hear about most from neighbors is Blue Hill Avenue. Families, seniors, and youth alike talk about how unsafe it feels to cross, drive, or bike along. It should not be dangerous just to get to school, the bus, or the corner store. We need real investment here such as: safer crosswalks, traffic calming, and infrastructure that protects both pedestrians and drivers. I will also include that we need to look at our side streets where speeding combined with more and more drivers looking down at their phones, we need to work on building real infrastructure to slow down cars on our side streets.

Safer Streets & Infrastructure

How committed will you be to expanding safe biking, walking, and rolling (wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, etc.) infrastructure in your district?

1 = Not committed at all, 5 = Fully committed
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

Every person deserves to move through their neighborhood safely and with dignity, whether they're a parent with a stroller, a senior using a walker, a student biking to school, or someone in a wheelchair. I have heard from so many residents that our sidewalks, crossings, and bike paths are not meeting that standard. We need to fix that by investing in better sidewalk maintenance, safe bike paths, and accessible crossings that work for everyone.

Would you support completing a citywide connected bike network by a target year (e.g., 2030), even if it requires reallocating parking or travel lanes?

Yes

Will you support requiring Boston to redesign at least 5 high-crash intersections per year, prioritizing areas near schools, libraries, and transit hubs?

Yes

Will you support upgrading quick-build bike lanes (plastic posts, paint) into permanent infrastructure (concrete curbs, planters) within 2 years of installation?

Yes

Budget & Accountability

Would you support a 2026 budget line item to continue growing an electrified BlueBike network with a focus on closing existing equity gaps in coverage?

Yes

Will you use your role in the city budget process to advocate for increased investments to the Streets Cabinet's budget for biking/walking/rolling infrastructure, policy, and programming?
Examples include: commitment to Vision Zero, the Boston Safe Routes to School Program, Learn-to-Bike sessions for adults and youth, and safe biking/walking infrastructure.

Yes

How confident are you that the Streets Cabinet, i.e., Boston Public Works and Transportation Departments are currently delivering projects equitably and on time?

1 = Not confident at all, 5 = Very confident
1 ⬛️⬛️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

On the doors and in the community, I hear constantly from neighbors about long-standing requests for fixed sidewalks, speed bumps on side streets, and dedicated pedestrian crossings, requests that have often gone unanswered for months, sometimes even years. I do not believe this comes from a lazy or inept BPW, but from a department that is stretched thin and in need of more resources and stronger support from the City to keep up with what our neighborhoods deserve.

Would you support raising the residential parking permit fee from $0 to $25 per car per year, with an exemption for anyone on SNAP or other means-tested government assistance, in order to raise $3 million dollars for transit and road safety improvements?

No

Community Engagement & Equity

In a hypothetical scenario in which the city proposes a change in pedestrian or mobility infrastructure, and it is broadly popular yet a small but vocal group opposes it because of parking changes, where would you place your support?

1 = Small but vocal neighborhood group, 5 = Supportive broader community
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Do you believe that community opposition to bike lanes, center running bus lanes, raised intersections, speed humps, etc., should override city-wide safety and equity goals?

No

(Optional) Studies have found that pedestrians from Black and Latino neighborhoods in Boston are more likely to be victims of traffic violence, even when they travel elsewhere in the city. What is your plan to address the racial disparities that impact street safety in Boston?

This issue hits close to home for me and so many of my neighbors. The fact that pedestrians from Black and Latino neighborhoods are more likely to be victims of traffic violence is a reflection of years of disinvestment. We need to fix that by prioritizing safety improvements in neighborhoods like Roxbury and Dorchester: repairing sidewalks, adding crosswalks and lighting, and designing streets that protect our pedestrians.

Climate & Transit Integration

How significant a role do you believe walking and biking should play in achieving Boston's climate action and resiliency goals?

1 = No role at all, 5 = Very significant role
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

Encouraging people to move through the city on foot or by bike strengthens community connection, improves public health, and builds a more sustainable future. To make that possible, we need real investment in protected bike networks, safer intersections, and shaded, accessible sidewalks. Prioritizing these projects in neighborhoods like Roxbury will help us meet our climate goals while making every street safer.

Will you support banning "right on red" at all traffic lights within city limits as adopted by Cambridge?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for unsafe driving such as speeding and red-light running at Boston's most hazardous intersections?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for illegal parking in bus stops, crosswalks, and bike lanes?

Yes

Mode Shift & Open Streets

Do you support expanding the Open Streets program (regular car-free streets for walking, biking, community gatherings)?

Yes

(Optional) Which streets or neighborhoods would you prioritize for expansion of the Open Streets?

Tremont Street and Malcolm X Boulevard. This would create a beautiful opportunity to bring together Roxbury, Mission Hill, and the South End.

Would you support a mode-shift incentive program (discounted Bluebikes, MBTA passes, benefits for car-free households)?

Yes

Would you support expanding public programs for e-bike access (rebates, lotteries, subsidies for low-income residents)?

Yes

(Optional) Boston traffic is among the worst in the nation. What is your plan to have your constituents, your team, and you personally become less car dependent?

Boston traffic is a daily frustration for so many of us, and I believe the solution starts locally. My plan is to make it easier and safer for people to choose alternatives by investing in reliable public transit, walkable streets, and protected bike infrastructure‚ especially around our schools, community centers, and transit hubs. My team and I already prioritize walking and using public transit to get around the district, and I plan to keep leading by example. When our streets are built for people, not just cars, we all move more freely and our communities thrive.

(Optional) If you want to elaborate further on any of your answers in this survey, please do so here.

No response

Ed Flynn

Website: www.edforboston.com

Candidate Travel Background

What is your experience biking and/or walking around Boston?

As a disabled veteran, I am unable to bike, use scooters, or other micromobility devices. I primarily walk, take public transportation, or drive in Boston. As a pedestrian, our streets and sidewalks need to be made safer. For 8 years, I’ve advocated for traffic-calming infrastructure, such as raised crosswalks and speed humps, to be placed where the majority of pedestrian and vehicular traffic is - on main streets, commercial roads, and high traffic corridors. I’ve advocated for speeding cars to be declared a public health emergency. But the rules of the road need to apply and be enforced for all - whether it’s a car, bike, scooter, moped or a pedestrian. On sidewalks and crosswalks especially, I’ve seen many of our seniors, persons with disabilities and families with young children have close calls because a moped, scooter, bike or car is going through stop signs, red lights, the wrong way. In my opinion, our existing pedestrian and road safety crisis has worsened over the last several years, since 2022, due to large corporations delivering food via moped and e-bike.

How do you typically get around Boston? Please rank the choices with 1 being most often.

1. Personal vehicle
2. Walking
3. Public transit
4. Rideshare or taxi
5. Bicycle
6. Scooter or other micromobility

How does the way you get around influence your perspective on transportation policy?

As a pedestrian, driver, and MBTA user - I am in District 2 and the city every day. I believe good transportation policy is about serving the maximum number of street users in the safest, most pragmatic, reliable and efficient way. A large part of this is community engagement and listening to the needs of my neighbors, small businesses, and nonprofit partners to find the right balance of what makes the most sense for the majority of people and our workforce. I’ve supported both bus and bike lanes where it makes sense - like the one block stretch of bus lane on Summer Street approaching South Station as that was a congestion point. I also supported the road diet and bike lane on Day Boulevard due to speeding vehicles coming from the highway and cutting through South Boston.

However, I opposed others where I thought they were impractical, where they created the exact conditions they sought to alleviate, and were ultimately found to not work as intended by the city administration - such as the Summer Street bus lane that created additional congestion that was not there previously, unpredictability on the road for all users, and pollution from traffic backed up in more areas. I also opposed the Boylston Street bus lane, which the city administration rescinded after not working as intended. It did not make sense to me that the city encouraged large third-party delivery companies to move to mopeds because of a lane being congested on Boylston Street in 2022, yet we removed 2 lanes in 2024 for that project.

Above all, my focus on transportation policy is how we can move our workforce efficiently, while making our streets safer for pedestrians, children, our seniors and persons with disabilities.

Have you ever visited a place where you felt you could get around without a car?

Yes

(Optional) Which places did you visit where you felt like you could get around without a car? What about that place made it feel accessible without a car?

No response

District Vision & Priorities

Do you believe your constituents primarily want more personal vehicle parking & driving space or expanded walking, biking, and public transit infrastructure?

1 = more personal vehicle space, 5 = expanded public transit infrastructure
1 ⬛️⬛️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

After listening to my constituents for nearly 8 years, I believe they want both. I don’t believe these are mutually exclusive things. I have neighbors who own a car and a bike who want more parking and better cycling infrastructure. I also have residents who want personal vehicle parking and better public transit infrastructure.

In Chinatown, South Boston and Bay Village, the most consistent feedback that I receive from residents is the need to prioritize parking spaces. Boston is a growing city, and with more Article 80 housing coming online with lower parking ratios, the existing parking scarcity has become exacerbated as new residents continue to bring their vehicles and have visitors on the weekend that do as well.

It is critical that the City acknowledges that many low-income workers, immigrant neighbors, working families, persons with disabilities and seniors often require a car to work, make appointments, and pick up their children from school to attend their activities - especially with chronically late BPS buses.

I’ve also heard from neighbors in the South Boston, South Boston Waterfront and South End about the importance of compromising on cycling infrastructure on alternative routes, and about the need to improve public transit infrastructure and reliable buses with the expansion of services. Our sidewalks and streets require approximately $700 million in funding for repairs, including many sidewalks in areas in Downtown, Leather District, Chinatown and South Boston. We need to make our sidewalks safer for our pedestrians.

Which transportation challenges do you believe are most pressing for your constituents? Choose 3-5 of the options below.

frequency of bus/train/commuter rail service
lack of bus priority lanes/traffic
signals resulting in bus delays
condition/placement of bus stops
maintenance/condition of sidewalks
condition/existence of pavement markings
amount of parking for personal vehicles
availability of bicycle parking
condition/location of crosswalks
traffic signal timing
condition/availability of biking infrastructure
MBTA "The Ride" service

I continue to advocate with the city, and with a unanimous City Council resolution I sponsored, that concurrent pedestrian phasing traffic signals are not safe for pedestrians.

Pedestrians should not have to worry about cars having the right of way at the same time. The pedestrian must have the right of way and be respected, while also being alert of their surroundings at all times and without distraction from their phones, etc.

Will you commit to prioritizing at least one high-crash corridor or intersection in your district for safety improvements during your term?

Yes, I advocate for many intersections and improvements every year throughout District 2. Pedestrian safety has been a top priority of mine for nearly 8 years.

(Optional) Please name specific high-crash corridors or intersections you will prioritize.
Examples include: Dorchester Ave & Columbia Rd, Mattapan Square.

I will continue to advocate for traffic-calming infrastructure improvements in high crash corridors and intersections throughout District 2 - including using raised crosswalks, speed humps, pedestrian crossing islands with rapid flash beacons, curb extensions and more. There are cases that the city has implemented my recommendations for speed feedback signs, speed humps, raised crosswalks and other street changes such as Congress Street and Sleeper Street; however, at this time, the city refuses to accept my recommendations to do a raised crosswalk on Congress Street near the Children’s Museum.

They disagree with me on doing so on main streets, commercial roads, and high traffic corridors or arterial roads. But Quincy Center and municipalities across the country have raised crosswalks in high foot traffic and commercial areas, and I will continue to advocate for Boston to implement them on arterial roads to slow down speeding cars as well.

Safer Streets & Infrastructure

How committed will you be to expanding safe biking, walking, and rolling (wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, etc.) infrastructure in your district?

1 = Not committed at all, 5 = Fully committed
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

I am strongly committed to making our streets safer, especially for our pedestrians, seniors, families with children and persons with disabilities.

Would you support completing a citywide connected bike network by a target year (e.g., 2030), even if it requires reallocating parking or travel lanes?

This year, I introduced an ordinance on a bike network commission because we need a sensible plan that has undergone extensive community engagement, relies on the longtime institutional knowledge of residents and small businesses, and results in a balanced approach that allows different parties to work together and compromise in the best interest of the city.

In my opinion, placing bike lanes without any connection, master plan, or doing bike lanes randomly through the Article 80 development process is counterproductive. We should be working together as a city to come to a compromise on alternative routes, to actively work to ensure we are not exacerbating traffic congestion, and limit impacts to local businesses and residential parking.

Will you support requiring Boston to redesign at least 5 high-crash intersections per year, prioritizing areas near schools, libraries, and transit hubs?

Yes, I continue to advocate for many interventions and improvements at intersections throughout District 2 every year.

Will you support upgrading quick-build bike lanes (plastic posts, paint) into permanent infrastructure (concrete curbs, planters) within 2 years of installation?

No, I will not support a plan that features a public works project for concrete and permanent infrastructure. Boston is an old city with narrow streets. When we implement changes like that with no way to reverse our decision, all it takes is one instance where there is an emergency, like a fire or heart attack for our first responders to address during rush hour or difficult weather conditions, like snow or bad rain - and there is only so much road for cars to move over and yield to Boston Police, Boston Fire and Boston EMS.

We can go through an extensive community engagement process to come to compromises on cycling lanes, where it makes sense in a particular neighborhood or street, without making decisions that could eventually have a negative impact on the overall public safety.

But it is critical that we maintain flexibility in the event that it does not work as intended, like other projects in recent years.

Budget & Accountability

Would you support a 2026 budget line item to continue growing an electrified BlueBike network with a focus on closing existing equity gaps in coverage?

No, I will not be supporting an electrified BlueBike network. We had an existing pedestrian safety crisis that caused me to recommend a 12 point traffic-calming and pedestrian safety plan to the city in 2018, and advocate for years at the Council that cars be declared a public health emergency.

No reasonable person believes that our pedestrian safety crisis has improved since the city advocated for large corporations and third-party food delivery companies to use mopeds in 2022 - with mopeds and e-bikes going the wrong way down one-way streets, through stop signs and red lights every day.

To now electrify the Bluebike network on top of that, we would only be exacerbating these existing issues with a device that can travel 20 mph and create the potential for crashes with users not following the rules of the road. The roads will become less safe for all users - pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and including those using electric Bluebikes themselves.

Will you use your role in the city budget process to advocate for increased investments to the Streets Cabinet's budget for biking/walking/rolling infrastructure, policy, and programming?
Examples include: commitment to Vision Zero, the Boston Safe Routes to School Program, Learn-to-Bike sessions for adults and youth, and safe biking/walking infrastructure.

Yes, I will continue to support investments into making Vision Zero a reality. Over the last seven years, I have advocated for a 20 mph speed limit and passed a resolution on the City Council to eliminate concurrent pedestrian phasing crossing signals, where the car and pedestrian have the right of way simultaneously.

For 8 years, I have advocated for speed humps and raised crosswalks in high traffic corridors, and continue to request rapid flash beacons and blinking signs at high traffic areas such as Arlington Street in Bay Village and East Broadway in South Boston, and I have asked for more resources for traffic enforcement.

How confident are you that the Streets Cabinet, i.e., Boston Public Works and Transportation Departments are currently delivering projects equitably and on time?

1 = Not confident at all, 5 = Very confident
1 ⬛️⬛️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

I have heard consistently from constituents from different neighborhoods that they have not been thoroughly engaged and listened to on important transportation policy issues. This includes the Summer Street Bus Lane as well as the Boylston Street Bus Lane, which elected officials, residents, businesses and other stakeholders had cautioned would exacerbate traffic and create unintended consequences. Ultimately, both bus lanes on Summer Street and Boylston Street were rolled back by the city administration as they had not worked as intended. These are instances where time and public money could have been spent elsewhere if community engagement was genuine and feedback was taken seriously.

Would you support raising the residential parking permit fee from $0 to $25 per car per year, with an exemption for anyone on SNAP or other means-tested government assistance, in order to raise $3 million dollars for transit and road safety improvements?

No, this will be viewed by my constituents as a tax and will in no way deter residents from having a personal vehicle in the city. Working families will not support this additional fee in my district.

Community Engagement & Equity

In a hypothetical scenario in which the city proposes a change in pedestrian or mobility infrastructure, and it is broadly popular yet a small but vocal group opposes it because of parking changes, where would you place your support?

1 = Small but vocal neighborhood group, 5 = Supportive broader community
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

This is a hypothetical question that depends on a case by case basis in the real world. Just because something is broadly popular does not always mean that it is the appropriate thing for a certain neighborhood, or that I will support it. I have often taken positions that are not popular, but what I believe to be in the best interest of the city.

Local neighborhood context matters, and city policy is not a one-size-fits-all approach as we have witnessed in recent years.

It is always important to engage neighborhood associations, residents and businesses and hear their feedback. There is often much we miss when we don’t. The critical thing is to listen to the quality and nuance of the argument on all sides before making an informed decision.

Do you believe that community opposition to bike lanes, center running bus lanes, raised intersections, speed humps, etc., should override city-wide safety and equity goals?

I do not agree with the premise of this question. It is unfortunately not a city-wide safety goal to have raised traffic-calming infrastructure in high traffic areas.

For 8 years, I’ve advocated for speed humps and raised crosswalks on main streets, commercial roads, and high traffic corridors - but it is the City of Boston that refuses to put them on arterial roads and placed them instead on neighborhood side streets in the Safety Surge Program. I have called for and held pedestrian safety hearings at the Council highlighting this philosophical difference of opinion.

(Optional) Studies have found that pedestrians from Black and Latino neighborhoods in Boston are more likely to be victims of traffic violence, even when they travel elsewhere in the city. What is your plan to address the racial disparities that impact street safety in Boston?

It is critical that we respect the community process and engage our constituents - the everyday users of our neighborhood streets and listen to what makes sense for them. We should hear from neighbors in communities of color on what their everyday experiences are, and what can be done to improve street safety for them in their local neighborhood context, and make informed decisions based on those lived experiences.

Climate & Transit Integration

How significant a role do you believe walking and biking should play in achieving Boston’s climate action and resiliency goals?

1 = No role at all, 5 = Very significant role
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

In order to achieve Boston’s climate action and resiliency goals, we need to work with the State to improve public transportation across our City. Certainly, walking and biking are options for some, but not for many neighbors and our seniors or persons with disabilities, and especially in winter months; however, investing in public transportation improvements that can help move greater numbers of our residents and workforce is even more critical.

Will you support banning “right on red” at all traffic lights within city limits as adopted by Cambridge?

No, although I have advocated to make no right turns on red in my district at a number of locations, it all depends on the intersection. We can’t say we have the worst traffic problems in the country and now, at the same time, ban all rights on red.

Moreover the city has not agreed with my unanimous Boston City Council resolution to remove concurrent pedestrian phasing signals where pedestrians and cars are given the green light and walk signal at the very same time. That, to me, is a recipe for disaster, and should be our focus to promote pedestrian safety on this issue.

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for unsafe driving such as speeding and red-light running at Boston’s most hazardous intersections?

Yes, I support automatic tickets for speeding cars that are running red lights and endangering all road users. However, enforcement should be across the board because cars, mopeds, e-bikes, scooters and cyclists must also adhere to the rules of the road. It cannot be that the rules are for some, but not for all. The rules of the road need to be applied and enforced for everyone across the board. It can no longer be the Wild West in the City of Boston.

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for illegal parking in bus stops, crosswalks, and bike lanes?

I do not support a system where, if we had a bus lane like Summer Street that was eventually rescinded because it did not work - that my constituents would get a ticket for not sitting in traffic, worsening pollution, and watching an empty lane in the middle of the winter- all for a policy that was ultimately undone just months later.

Mode Shift & Open Streets

Do you support expanding the Open Streets program (regular car-free streets for walking, biking, community gatherings)?

No, not on a regular basis.

(Optional) Which streets or neighborhoods would you prioritize for expansion of the Open Streets?

I do not support expanding the open streets program regularly on account of public safety and access for emergency vehicles.

But I have supported and continue to support street closures for annual parades, festivals, block parties, races or other charitable events, however, I do not support shutting down key arteries or heavily utilized streets for regular car-free streets unless there is strong neighborhood support and thorough, consistent and clear communication and messaging with residents and visitors before, day-of, and during a special event in the city.

Would you support a mode-shift incentive program (discounted Bluebikes, MBTA passes, benefits for car-free households)?

No, I support incentive programs for low-income neighbors and households, but not necessarily car-free households.

Would you support expanding public programs for e-bike access (rebates, lotteries, subsidies for low-income residents)?

No, I believe incentivizing e-bikes and electrification off Bluebikes has the very real potential to only worsen the existing public safety issues that we have from large third-party delivery companies and mopeds not following the rules of the road.

(Optional) Boston traffic is among the worst in the nation. What is your plan to have your constituents, your team, and you personally become less car dependent?

In order to cut down on commute times and reduce emissions, we need to invest in a more reliable public transportation system. We have the oldest subway system in the country and we need to get it back to a state of good operation by investing significantly on infrastructure upgrades and ensuring its regular maintenance. With proper investments, our public transportation system can move the greatest number of people in the most emission-friendly way without clogging up our roads. We also need to look into increasing bus routes and frequencies to incentivize people to take public transit instead of driving their cars.

Lastly, another reason for our traffic over the last decade has been the increased use of Uber and Lyft. In 2019, I held a hearing on the impacts of rideshares on traffic and pedestrian safety where it was indicated, at that time, that 116,000 trips were made per day in the City of Boston, and that 63% of the vehicles came from outside the region. The City should look at what other municipalities are doing across the country as it relates to the unlimited number of vehicles engaging in rideshare at the same time every day in Boston. Although it is convenient and we have all used these services, perhaps we can wait a few minutes longer for a pick up if it means our streets are less congested.

(Optional) If you want to elaborate further on any of your answers in this survey, please do so here.

No response

Enrique Pepen (He/Him/His)

Website: www.pepenforboston.com

Candidate Travel Background

What is your experience biking and/or walking around Boston?

I regularly walk around my neighborhood of Roslindale to stay connected with the community and observe the conditions of our streets firsthand. I also enjoy biking for fun, it's a great way to stay active and experience our city from a different perspective.

How do you typically get around Boston? Please rank the choices with 1 being most often.

1. Scooter or other micromobility
2. Rideshare or taxi
3. Bicycle
4. Public transit
5. Walking
6. Personal vehicle

How does the way you get around influence your perspective on transportation policy?

Using different forms of transportation has really put things into perspective for me. Riding a bike to work, I've felt firsthand the danger of sharing the road with cars, and during rush hour, I've experienced the frustration of waiting extended periods for the commuter rail. These experiences highlight how much our current system prioritizes cars, often at the expense of safety and reliability for everyone else. It's clear to me that we can't continue to be so car-centered. We need a more balanced, accessible, and people-focused transportation system.

Have you ever visited a place where you felt you could get around without a car?

Yes

(Optional) Which places did you visit where you felt like you could get around without a car? What about that place made it feel accessible without a car?

Local places are Roslindale Square, Jamaica Plain (Centre St/South St) Downtown Boston, Chinatown. What these places have in common are a strong business district with public transportation available.

District Vision & Priorities

Do you believe your constituents primarily want more personal vehicle parking & driving space or expanded walking, biking, and public transit infrastructure?

1 = more personal vehicle space, 5 = expanded public transit infrastructure
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

There's a strong appetite for better public transportation infrastructure in my district. For example, residents want better service on the #32, #40 bus, they want the extension of the orange line, they want zone 1A pricing for the commuter rails that service Roslindale and Hyde Park. These are all goals that I am personally working on as a councilor and working with our state legislators to make this happen.

Which transportation challenges do you believe are most pressing for your constituents? Choose 3-5 of the options below.

frequency of bus/train/commuter rail service
lack of bus priority lanes/traffic
signals resulting in bus delays
condition/placement of bus stops
maintenance/condition of sidewalks
condition/existence of pavement markings
amount of parking for personal vehicles
availability of bicycle parking
condition/location of crosswalks
traffic signal timing
condition/availability of biking infrastructure
MBTA "The Ride" service

Will you commit to prioritizing at least one high-crash corridor or intersection in your district for safety improvements during your term?

Yes

(Optional) Please name specific high-crash corridors or intersections you will prioritize.
Examples include: Dorchester Ave & Columbia Rd, Mattapan Square.

Hyde Park Ave & American Legion, Hyde Park Ave & River St, Hyde Park Ave & Ukraine Way, Blue Hill Ave & River St, Blue Hill Ave & Morton St, Mattapan Square,

Safer Streets & Infrastructure

How committed will you be to expanding safe biking, walking, and rolling (wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, etc.) infrastructure in your district?

1 = Not committed at all, 5 = Fully committed
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

I am fully committed to making this happen as I have already started to work on this with our Public Works Department in improving the sidewalks across my district and ensuring that they are ADA complaint.

Would you support completing a citywide connected bike network by a target year (e.g., 2030), even if it requires reallocating parking or travel lanes?

Yes

Will you support requiring Boston to redesign at least 5 high-crash intersections per year, prioritizing areas near schools, libraries, and transit hubs?

Yes

Will you support upgrading quick-build bike lanes (plastic posts, paint) into permanent infrastructure (concrete curbs, planters) within 2 years of installation?

Yes

Budget & Accountability

Would you support a 2026 budget line item to continue growing an electrified BlueBike network with a focus on closing existing equity gaps in coverage?

Yes

Will you use your role in the city budget process to advocate for increased investments to the Streets Cabinet's budget for biking/walking/rolling infrastructure, policy, and programming?
Examples include: commitment to Vision Zero, the Boston Safe Routes to School Program, Learn-to-Bike sessions for adults and youth, and safe biking/walking infrastructure.

Yes

How confident are you that the Streets Cabinet, i.e., Boston Public Works and Transportation Departments are currently delivering projects equitably and on time?

1 = Not confident at all, 5 = Very confident
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

I feel somewhat confident because I have seem them make progress and dedicate funds for safer infrastructure, but there's also space for improvement and I would like to see more effort in specific areas of my district.

Would you support raising the residential parking permit fee from $0 to $25 per car per year, with an exemption for anyone on SNAP or other means-tested government assistance, in order to raise $3 million dollars for transit and road safety improvements?

Yes

Community Engagement & Equity

In a hypothetical scenario in which the city proposes a change in pedestrian or mobility infrastructure, and it is broadly popular yet a small but vocal group opposes it because of parking changes, where would you place your support?

1 = Small but vocal neighborhood group, 5 = Supportive broader community
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

I have already made this decision, not directly specific with transportation, but I support the rezoning efforts of Squares and Streets in Roslindale that was receiving very strong opposition from a small vocal neighborhood group, but I sided with the broader community because I know this was the right thing for the community and its future.

Do you believe that community opposition to bike lanes, center running bus lanes, raised intersections, speed humps, etc., should override city-wide safety and equity goals?

No

(Optional) Studies have found that pedestrians from Black and Latino neighborhoods in Boston are more likely to be victims of traffic violence, even when they travel elsewhere in the city. What is your plan to address the racial disparities that impact street safety in Boston?

I'm committed to addressing the racial disparities in street safety by prioritizing infrastructure investments in historically underfunded neighborhoods. That means expanding traffic-calming measures, improving lighting, and upgrading crosswalks and intersections where data shows residents of color face higher risks. I will also push for transparent, race-disaggregated crash data and ensure that city budgets include equity-based funding formulas for street improvements. Finally, I'll work with community members, the Boston Transportation Department, and state partners to make sure our safety policies truly protect every Bostonian, no matter where they live or walk. Racial disparities in street safety are not incidental, they're the result of historic disinvestment, structural bias, and policy choices.

Climate & Transit Integration

How significant a role do you believe walking and biking should play in achieving Boston's climate action and resiliency goals?

1 = No role at all, 5 = Very significant role
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

The less car dependency we have in our city, the better it is for our environment and the air we breath.

Will you support banning "right on red" at all traffic lights within city limits as adopted by Cambridge?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for unsafe driving such as speeding and red-light running at Boston's most hazardous intersections?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for illegal parking in bus stops, crosswalks, and bike lanes?

Yes

Mode Shift & Open Streets

Do you support expanding the Open Streets program (regular car-free streets for walking, biking, community gatherings)?

Yes

(Optional) Which streets or neighborhoods would you prioritize for expansion of the Open Streets?

Luckily two of my neighborhoods have been chosen for open streets, but we haven't done Roslindale yet.

Would you support a mode-shift incentive program (discounted Bluebikes, MBTA passes, benefits for car-free households)?

Yes

Would you support expanding public programs for e-bike access (rebates, lotteries, subsidies for low-income residents)?

Yes

(Optional) Boston traffic is among the worst in the nation. What is your plan to have your constituents, your team, and you personally become less car dependent?

Prioritizing public transportation infrastructure, advocating for more bus lanes, and better service. Zone 1A pricing for my commuter rail stations in district. Building development near and around public transportation. These are all things that I truly believe in and am already working on.

(Optional) If you want to elaborate further on any of your answers in this survey, please do so here.

Thank you for the work you're all doing.

Gabriela Coletta Zapata (she/her/hers)

Website: gabrielacoletta.com

Candidate Travel Background

What is your experience biking and/or walking around Boston?

As someone who lives in the city without a car, I most often rely on a combination of public transportation and walking to get around. I love walking around Boston, especially the District One neighborhoods. Being on foot gives me the chance to engage with the community and the neighborhood in a way that being in a car would restrict. I am often stopped by friends, constituents, and voters while walking from place to place. Sometimes they ask questions, or have an issue to discuss, but oftentimes they are just excited to see me out and about in the neighborhood and just want to say 'Hi.'

How do you typically get around Boston? Please rank the choices with 1 being most often.

1. Public transit
2. Walking
3. Rideshare or taxi
4. Personal vehicle
5. Bicycle
6. Scooter or other micromobility

How does the way you get around influence your perspective on transportation policy?

Since I most often rely on public transportation to get around, I fully understand when constituents complain about delays or construction on the MBTA because I am experiencing the same issues. I often walk as well, so I see the issues that constituents talk about in terms of broken sidewalks and crosswalks in need of touch-ups. I occasionally borrow a family members' car to drive and I have experienced the infamous Boston traffic, especially getting in and out of Charlestown. I have a broad understanding of the places where our transportation systems and policy are successful as well as where improvements need to be made.

Have you ever visited a place where you felt you could get around without a car?

Yes

(Optional) Which places did you visit where you felt like you could get around without a car? What about that place made it feel accessible without a car?

Nice, France. Barcelona, Spain. Lisbon, Portugal

District Vision & Priorities

Do you believe your constituents primarily want more personal vehicle parking & driving space or expanded walking, biking, and public transit infrastructure?

1 = more personal vehicle space, 5 = expanded public transit infrastructure
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

One of the main concerns we hear from constituents in District One is about the lack of parking availability, particularly in East Boston and the North End. At the same time, it is clear that constituents are looking for more reliable public transit infrastructure.

Which transportation challenges do you believe are most pressing for your constituents? Choose 3-5 of the options below.

frequency of bus/train/commuter rail service
lack of bus priority lanes/traffic
signals resulting in bus delays
condition/placement of bus stops
maintenance/condition of sidewalks
condition/existence of pavement markings
amount of parking for personal vehicles
availability of bicycle parking
condition/location of crosswalks
traffic signal timing
condition/availability of biking infrastructure
MBTA "The Ride" service

Will you commit to prioritizing at least one high-crash corridor or intersection in your district for safety improvements during your term?

Yes

(Optional) Please name specific high-crash corridors or intersections you will prioritize.
Examples include: Dorchester Ave & Columbia Rd, Mattapan Square.

I already have worked to improve the intersection of Bennington Street and Saratoga Street in Orient Heights.

Safer Streets & Infrastructure

How committed will you be to expanding safe biking, walking, and rolling (wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, etc.) infrastructure in your district?

1 = Not committed at all, 5 = Fully committed
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

[Using this space as an explanation for the answer below] I represent an island, a peninsula, and a downtown neighborhood with limited street space that already has a bike lane on its largest street. This question is a bit more nuanced for me than just a yes or no answer. Public transit infrastructure and pedestrian safety measures are a higher priority for me.

[Using this space as an explanation for the question about upgrading to permanent infrastructure]

Quick build plastic posts and paint lack enforcement, long term sustainability, and year round maintenance. I do, however, appreciate permanent infrastructure like concrete curbs and planters that enliven the streetscape and advance green infrastructure goals.

Would you support completing a citywide connected bike network by a target year (e.g., 2030), even if it requires reallocating parking or travel lanes?

No

Will you support requiring Boston to redesign at least 5 high-crash intersections per year, prioritizing areas near schools, libraries, and transit hubs?

Yes

Will you support upgrading quick-build bike lanes (plastic posts, paint) into permanent infrastructure (concrete curbs, planters) within 2 years of installation?

No

Budget & Accountability

Would you support a 2026 budget line item to continue growing an electrified BlueBike network with a focus on closing existing equity gaps in coverage?

Yes

Will you use your role in the city budget process to advocate for increased investments to the Streets Cabinet's budget for biking/walking/rolling infrastructure, policy, and programming?
Examples include: commitment to Vision Zero, the Boston Safe Routes to School Program, Learn-to-Bike sessions for adults and youth, and safe biking/walking infrastructure.

Yes

How confident are you that the Streets Cabinet, i.e., Boston Public Works and Transportation Departments are currently delivering projects equitably and on time?

1 = Not confident at all, 5 = Very confident
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Would you support raising the residential parking permit fee from $0 to $25 per car per year, with an exemption for anyone on SNAP or other means-tested government assistance, in order to raise $3 million dollars for transit and road safety improvements?

Yes

Community Engagement & Equity

In a hypothetical scenario in which the city proposes a change in pedestrian or mobility infrastructure, and it is broadly popular yet a small but vocal group opposes it because of parking changes, where would you place your support?

1 = Small but vocal neighborhood group, 5 = Supportive broader community
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

There are so many variables to this question including location, timing, and proximity to transit that it is difficult to answer this question.

Do you believe that community opposition to bike lanes, center running bus lanes, raised intersections, speed humps, etc., should override city-wide safety and equity goals?

No

(Optional) Studies have found that pedestrians from Black and Latino neighborhoods in Boston are more likely to be victims of traffic violence, even when they travel elsewhere in the city. What is your plan to address the racial disparities that impact street safety in Boston?

(Optional)

Climate & Transit Integration

How significant a role do you believe walking and biking should play in achieving Boston's climate action and resiliency goals?

1 = No role at all, 5 = Very significant role
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Will you support banning "right on red" at all traffic lights within city limits as adopted by Cambridge?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for unsafe driving such as speeding and red-light running at Boston's most hazardous intersections?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for illegal parking in bus stops, crosswalks, and bike lanes?

Yes

Mode Shift & Open Streets

Do you support expanding the Open Streets program (regular car-free streets for walking, biking, community gatherings)?

Yes

(Optional) Which streets or neighborhoods would you prioritize for expansion of the Open Streets?

Eastie

Would you support a mode-shift incentive program (discounted Bluebikes, MBTA passes, benefits for car-free households)?

Yes

Would you support expanding public programs for e-bike access (rebates, lotteries, subsidies for low-income residents)?

Yes

(Optional) Boston traffic is among the worst in the nation. What is your plan to have your constituents, your team, and you personally become less car dependent?

I don't own a car, and am very proud to say I get everywhere on foot or by public transit with limited instances of ride share. I lead by example in this way and showcase it is possible despite a demanding schedule.

(Optional) If you want to elaborate further on any of your answers in this survey, please do so here.

No response

Helen Cameron (she/her)

Website: Cameron.4boston.org

Candidate Travel Background

What is your experience biking and/or walking around Boston?

I have no experience biking around Boston but walk a mile almost daily.

How do you typically get around Boston? Please rank the choices with 1 being most often.

1. Walking
2. Rideshare or taxi
3. Public transit
4. Bicycle
5. Scooter or other micromobility
6. Personal vehicle

How does the way you get around influence your perspective on transportation policy?

Generally, being a pedestrian more often than not, I walk city sidewalks which can be icy/slushy/slippery in winter, yet although unsafe, it's my preferred mode of transportation as I can benefit from the brisk, fresh air outdoors and at the same time, strengthen my equilibrium. While mechanical transportation is necessary overall, it is not necessarily needed for short daytime trips/local travel; this is what makes the city's Blue Bikes a cherished and convenient option.

Have you ever visited a place where you felt you could get around without a car?

Yes

(Optional) Which places did you visit where you felt like you could get around without a car? What about that place made it feel accessible without a car?

No response

District Vision & Priorities

Do you believe your constituents primarily want more personal vehicle parking & driving space or expanded walking, biking, and public transit infrastructure?

1 = more personal vehicle space, 5 = expanded public transit infrastructure
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

The greater percentage of my constituents rely on public transportation moreso than space for a personal vehicle as many don't own a motor vehicle. For this reason, expanded public transit infrastructure is a greater necessity than more personal parking space. On the other hand, as the population continues to grow financially and more people can afford a motor vehicle, that priority might change.

Which transportation challenges do you believe are most pressing for your constituents? Choose 3-5 of the options below.

frequency of bus/train/commuter rail service
lack of bus priority lanes/traffic
signals resulting in bus delays
condition/placement of bus stops
maintenance/condition of sidewalks
condition/existence of pavement markings
amount of parking for personal vehicles
availability of bicycle parking
condition/location of crosswalks
traffic signal timing
condition/availability of biking infrastructure
MBTA "The Ride" service

Will you commit to prioritizing at least one high-crash corridor or intersection in your district for safety improvements during your term?

Yes

(Optional) Please name specific high-crash corridors or intersections you will prioritize.
Examples include: Dorchester Ave & Columbia Rd, Mattapan Square.

I will prioritize Washington Street at Blue Hill Avenue, Grove Hall; Morton Street at Blue Hill Avenue; and at ALL public elementary and middle school zone straight roadways and intersections.

Safer Streets & Infrastructure

How committed will you be to expanding safe biking, walking, and rolling (wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, etc.) infrastructure in your district?

1 = Not committed at all, 5 = Fully committed
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

I will commit to designate, by clearly visible markings and audio/visual traffic signals and necessary strategic speed bumps, a bike lane along all main streets in my district. I will restrict motor vehicle travel along streets in thickly settled districts to 5 miles per hour with gentle beeping sounds moving forward, on turns, and backing, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 7 days a week. There should be no surprises on the roadways and no competition between pedestrians and 2,000-pound motor vehicles!

Would you support completing a citywide connected bike network by a target year (e.g., 2030), even if it requires reallocating parking or travel lanes?

Yes

Will you support requiring Boston to redesign at least 5 high-crash intersections per year, prioritizing areas near schools, libraries, and transit hubs?

Yes

Will you support upgrading quick-build bike lanes (plastic posts, paint) into permanent infrastructure (concrete curbs, planters) within 2 years of installation?

Yes

Budget & Accountability

Would you support a 2026 budget line item to continue growing an electrified BlueBike network with a focus on closing existing equity gaps in coverage?

Yes

Will you use your role in the city budget process to advocate for increased investments to the Streets Cabinet's budget for biking/walking/rolling infrastructure, policy, and programming?
Examples include: commitment to Vision Zero, the Boston Safe Routes to School Program, Learn-to-Bike sessions for adults and youth, and safe biking/walking infrastructure.

Yes

How confident are you that the Streets Cabinet, i.e., Boston Public Works and Transportation Departments are currently delivering projects equitably and on time?

1 = Not confident at all, 5 = Very confident
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Would you support raising the residential parking permit fee from $0 to $25 per car per year, with an exemption for anyone on SNAP or other means-tested government assistance, in order to raise $3 million dollars for transit and road safety improvements?

Yes

Community Engagement & Equity

In a hypothetical scenario in which the city proposes a change in pedestrian or mobility infrastructure, and it is broadly popular yet a small but vocal group opposes it because of parking changes, where would you place your support?

1 = Small but vocal neighborhood group, 5 = Supportive broader community
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Do you believe that community opposition to bike lanes, center running bus lanes, raised intersections, speed humps, etc., should override city-wide safety and equity goals?

No

(Optional) Studies have found that pedestrians from Black and Latino neighborhoods in Boston are more likely to be victims of traffic violence, even when they travel elsewhere in the city. What is your plan to address the racial disparities that impact street safety in Boston?

My plan as to the Black and Latino population is to make education and academic workshops available at all grade levels and at local libraries and community centers. Often, lack of information is the reason for serious accidents and threats to safety.

Climate & Transit Integration

How significant a role do you believe walking and biking should play in achieving Boston's climate action and resiliency goals?

1 = No role at all, 5 = Very significant role
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Will you support banning "right on red" at all traffic lights within city limits as adopted by Cambridge?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for unsafe driving such as speeding and red-light running at Boston's most hazardous intersections?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for illegal parking in bus stops, crosswalks, and bike lanes?

Yes

Mode Shift & Open Streets

Do you support expanding the Open Streets program (regular car-free streets for walking, biking, community gatherings)?

Yes

(Optional) Which streets or neighborhoods would you prioritize for expansion of the Open Streets?

No response

Would you support a mode-shift incentive program (discounted Bluebikes, MBTA passes, benefits for car-free households)?

Yes

Would you support expanding public programs for e-bike access (rebates, lotteries, subsidies for low-income residents)?

Yes

(Optional) Boston traffic is among the worst in the nation. What is your plan to have your constituents, your team, and you personally become less car dependent?

No response

(Optional) If you want to elaborate further on any of your answers in this survey, please do so here.

No response

Henry Santana (he/him)

Website: https://www.santana4boston.com/

Candidate Travel Background

What is your experience biking and/or walking around Boston?

When I first ran for Boston City Council in 2023, I actually did not own a car! Car ownership is fairly new to me, so for nearly my entire life I have depended heavily on walking, biking, and using public transportation. I love living in a city where you don't absolutely have to own a car to get around, but living without one certainly has its challenges. I think there is still a lot of room to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety so that all residents can feel safe when getting from one place to another - even if they do not own a car.

How do you typically get around Boston? Please rank the choices with 1 being most often.

1. Public transit
2. Walking
3. Personal vehicle
4. Scooter or other micromobility
5. Bicycle
6. Rideshare or taxi

How does the way you get around influence your perspective on transportation policy?

Since I have spent much of my life fully reliant on public transportation, walking, and biking to get around, I feel strongly that transportation is deeply connected to equity. Ensuring that all forms of transportation are safe and accessible to all is highly important to me on a personal level. I have spent my first term fighting for more reliable and affordable bus services to allow easy mobility, no matter where people live in the city and I have also prioritized making our streets safer for everyone.

Have you ever visited a place where you felt you could get around without a car?

Yes

(Optional) Which places did you visit where you felt like you could get around without a car? What about that place made it feel accessible without a car?

Personally, I feel that I can get around much of Boston without a car, but some trips take quite a long time without one. While there is still plenty of room for improvement (particularly when traveling from one neighborhood to another without going through downtown), I believe that Boston is one of the few cities in the US that you can get around without one.

District Vision & Priorities

Do you believe your constituents primarily want more personal vehicle parking & driving space or expanded walking, biking, and public transit infrastructure?

1 = more personal vehicle space, 5 = expanded public transit infrastructure
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

My team and I hear from residents all over the city every single day. While it is absolutely true that residents reach out because they have concerns about parking, I also hear from residents that are thrilled to be able to walk to school with their kids safely, take busses that are more reliable, and bike to work without worrying about being seriously hurt in an accident.

Which transportation challenges do you believe are most pressing for your constituents? Choose 3-5 of the options below.

frequency of bus/train/commuter rail service
lack of bus priority lanes/traffic
signals resulting in bus delays
condition/placement of bus stops
maintenance/condition of sidewalks
condition/existence of pavement markings
amount of parking for personal vehicles
availability of bicycle parking
condition/location of crosswalks
traffic signal timing
condition/availability of biking infrastructure
MBTA "The Ride" service

Will you commit to prioritizing at least one high-crash corridor or intersection in your district for safety improvements during your term?

Yes

(Optional) Please name specific high-crash corridors or intersections you will prioritize.
Examples include: Dorchester Ave & Columbia Rd, Mattapan Square.

My team has heard from residents that Mattapan Square is an area of concern when it comes to pedestrian and vehicle safety. I plan to help evaluate ways to improve safety in this corridor in a second term.

Safer Streets & Infrastructure

How committed will you be to expanding safe biking, walking, and rolling (wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, etc.) infrastructure in your district?

1 = Not committed at all, 5 = Fully committed
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

I am a firm believer in the City of Boston's commitment to Vision Zero. Pedestrian deaths are tragic and preventable. I strongly support the City of Boston's goal of reducing the number of vehicle accident deaths to zero. I hope to help accomplish this goal by supporting the expansion of safe infrastructure for all residents.

Would you support completing a citywide connected bike network by a target year (e.g., 2030), even if it requires reallocating parking or travel lanes?

Yes

Will you support requiring Boston to redesign at least 5 high-crash intersections per year, prioritizing areas near schools, libraries, and transit hubs?

Yes

Will you support upgrading quick-build bike lanes (plastic posts, paint) into permanent infrastructure (concrete curbs, planters) within 2 years of installation?

Yes

Budget & Accountability

Would you support a 2026 budget line item to continue growing an electrified BlueBike network with a focus on closing existing equity gaps in coverage?

Yes

Will you use your role in the city budget process to advocate for increased investments to the Streets Cabinet's budget for biking/walking/rolling infrastructure, policy, and programming?
Examples include: commitment to Vision Zero, the Boston Safe Routes to School Program, Learn-to-Bike sessions for adults and youth, and safe biking/walking infrastructure.

Yes

How confident are you that the Streets Cabinet, i.e., Boston Public Works and Transportation Departments are currently delivering projects equitably and on time?

1 = Not confident at all, 5 = Very confident
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

Our city's Streets Cabinet has made significant progress on improving safety along high crash corridors in the last couple of years. With that said, the rollout of some improvements faced unexpected delays and challenges. Additionally, I feel that community engagement could be improved to ensure that these projects are delivered in a more equitable manner and to ensure that residents stay informed of street infrastructure changes in their area.

Would you support raising the residential parking permit fee from $0 to $25 per car per year, with an exemption for anyone on SNAP or other means-tested government assistance, in order to raise $3 million dollars for transit and road safety improvements?

Yes

Community Engagement & Equity

In a hypothetical scenario in which the city proposes a change in pedestrian or mobility infrastructure, and it is broadly popular yet a small but vocal group opposes it because of parking changes, where would you place your support?

1 = Small but vocal neighborhood group, 5 = Supportive broader community
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Do you believe that community opposition to bike lanes, center running bus lanes, raised intersections, speed humps, etc., should override city-wide safety and equity goals?

No

(Optional) Studies have found that pedestrians from Black and Latino neighborhoods in Boston are more likely to be victims of traffic violence, even when they travel elsewhere in the city. What is your plan to address the racial disparities that impact street safety in Boston?

No response

Climate & Transit Integration

How significant a role do you believe walking and biking should play in achieving Boston's climate action and resiliency goals?

1 = No role at all, 5 = Very significant role
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

Reducing dependence on motor vehicles and ensuring that other modes of transportation are safe and accessible is important for achieving our climate goals. With that said, only a minority of greenhouse gas emissions in Boston are produced by motor vehicles. While I am committed to ensuring that both walking and biking will continue to be a safe and comfortable option for residents, it is unlikely that transportation in general will play a role as significant as tackling energy use or building construction when it comes to achieving our climate action and resiliency goals.

Will you support banning "right on red" at all traffic lights within city limits as adopted by Cambridge?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for unsafe driving such as speeding and red-light running at Boston's most hazardous intersections?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for illegal parking in bus stops, crosswalks, and bike lanes?

Yes

Mode Shift & Open Streets

Do you support expanding the Open Streets program (regular car-free streets for walking, biking, community gatherings)?

Yes

(Optional) Which streets or neighborhoods would you prioritize for expansion of the Open Streets?

I hope to help any community that advocates for Open Streets to be expanded to their area make that dream a reality. With that said, many community members in Allston-Brighton have let me know that they highly enjoyed Open Streets in 2024 and hope to see the program return there.

Would you support a mode-shift incentive program (discounted Bluebikes, MBTA passes, benefits for car-free households)?

Yes

Would you support expanding public programs for e-bike access (rebates, lotteries, subsidies for low-income residents)?

Yes

(Optional) Boston traffic is among the worst in the nation. What is your plan to have your constituents, your team, and you personally become less car dependent?

I believe strongly in investing in alternative forms of transportation and ensuring that they are accessible to all. I support the expansion of the free MBTA bus line program and plan to continue advocating for improved pedestrian safety measures to make walking and biking an option for all residents that prefer to walk or bike.

My team is actually already a team of public transit commuters! More than half of my City Council team does not have regular access to a vehicle. Personally, I take the bus just about everywhere already, but I have been taking advantage of our improving pedestrian infrastructure to get around on foot more often.

(Optional) If you want to elaborate further on any of your answers in this survey, please do so here.

Which transportation challenges do you believe are most pressing for your constituents?

I would like to add that condition/maintenance of roads is likely in the top 5 most common transportation-related concerns we hear. My team works alongside 311 and the Public Works Department to help get potholes that could pose a hazard for drivers or cyclists patched in a timely manner.

Julia Mejia (She/Her/Ella)

Website: https://www.juliaforboston.com/

Candidate Travel Background

What is your experience biking and/or walking around Boston?

I do a lot of walking around the City of Boston, and in certain areas, particularly Downtown, Back Bay, the North End, and the Seaport, it feels much easier to navigate on foot. That said, in other neighborhoods it can be more difficult because key destinations are not always in close proximity, leading to a greater reliance on vehicles.

As someone who often walks from event to event or goes door to door across our neighborhoods, I have seen firsthand that there is still a lot of work to be done to make Boston more pedestrian-friendly. Many sidewalks are cracked or uneven, tree roots have lifted pavement, and other accessibility issues persist. While I am often able to navigate these challenges myself, I know that for residents using wheelchairs, pushing strollers, or carrying groceries, these conditions can make getting around safely and comfortably much harder.

How do you typically get around Boston? Please rank the choices with 1 being most often.

1. Personal vehicle
2. Walking
3. Rideshare or taxi
4. Public transit
5. Bicycle
6. Scooter or other micromobility

How does the way you get around influence your perspective on transportation policy?

As a city-wide Councilor and single mom with a 15 year old daughter and a senior mother, it is critical for me to travel to many spaces across the city in a day. Seeing the conditions of the roads from the perspective of a vehicle owner signals that there is much more work to be done in our streets. Moreover, I also think about what potholes and uneven streets mean for folks who ride bicycles or mopeds, as they are much more vulnerable to injuries from these issues. Experiencing transportation as both a driver and a caretaker trying to get family members where they need to be shapes my perspective: our policies must prioritize safety, accessibility, and reliability for everyone, regardless of how they get around.

Have you ever visited a place where you felt you could get around without a car?

Yes

(Optional) Which places did you visit where you felt like you could get around without a car? What about that place made it feel accessible without a car?

I had the privilege of traveling to Chile years ago where I was very inspired by the infrastructure they have in cities such as Santiago, where you in fact do not need a car to get around. As a Latina, it reminded me that communities of color around the world have long built cities rooted in accessibility and connection. We have to acknowledge these roots and understand that the movement toward walkable, transit-oriented cities doesn't only have to be led by the wealthiest nations, but we can also look to communities in Latin America and elsewhere that prioritized collective wellbeing through infrastructure that is built for people.

District Vision & Priorities

Do you believe your constituents primarily want more personal vehicle parking & driving space or expanded walking, biking, and public transit infrastructure?

1 = more personal vehicle space, 5 = expanded public transit infrastructure
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

As a city-wide Councilor, my constituents have very diverse needs. With the current status of our city infrastructure, many of my constituents are heavily dependent on cars. They do not feel as though it is a feasible option to rely on public transportation to do basic tasks such as grocery shop (particularly in food deserts) or get to and from work (particularly if they work during unconventional hours). This signals that we need better-connected transit with more frequent services.

Many other constituents express deep fear and frustration with the lack of accessible bike lanes and walking infrastructure, and I believe we as elected officials in this city have an obligation to guarantee these folks' safety and access. No one's lives should be put in danger because of the way they choose to get around the city.

We have an opportunity to bring the city together around a shared need to navigate Boston easily, and turn down the temperature that exists around this topic without falling into either/ or thinking.

Which transportation challenges do you believe are most pressing for your constituents? Choose 3-5 of the options below.

frequency of bus/train/commuter rail service
lack of bus priority lanes/traffic
signals resulting in bus delays
condition/placement of bus stops
maintenance/condition of sidewalks
condition/existence of pavement markings
amount of parking for personal vehicles
availability of bicycle parking
condition/location of crosswalks
traffic signal timing
condition/availability of biking infrastructure
MBTA "The Ride" service

Will you commit to prioritizing at least one high-crash corridor or intersection in your district for safety improvements during your term?

Yes

(Optional) Please name specific high-crash corridors or intersections you will prioritize.
Examples include: Dorchester Ave & Columbia Rd, Mattapan Square.

Dorchester Ave & Columbia Road is a great example of where we can do more to improve street safety.

Safer Streets & Infrastructure

How committed will you be to expanding safe biking, walking, and rolling (wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, etc.) infrastructure in your district?

1 = Not committed at all, 5 = Fully committed
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Would you support completing a citywide connected bike network by a target year (e.g., 2030), even if it requires reallocating parking or travel lanes?

Yes

Will you support requiring Boston to redesign at least 5 high-crash intersections per year, prioritizing areas near schools, libraries, and transit hubs?

Yes

Will you support upgrading quick-build bike lanes (plastic posts, paint) into permanent infrastructure (concrete curbs, planters) within 2 years of installation?

Yes

Budget & Accountability

Would you support a 2026 budget line item to continue growing an electrified BlueBike network with a focus on closing existing equity gaps in coverage?

Yes

Will you use your role in the city budget process to advocate for increased investments to the Streets Cabinet's budget for biking/walking/rolling infrastructure, policy, and programming?
Examples include: commitment to Vision Zero, the Boston Safe Routes to School Program, Learn-to-Bike sessions for adults and youth, and safe biking/walking infrastructure.

Yes

How confident are you that the Streets Cabinet, i.e., Boston Public Works and Transportation Departments are currently delivering projects equitably and on time?

1 = Not confident at all, 5 = Very confident
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

I believe that there is much more work to do to ensure that projects are being carried out equitably. Even if certain data show that a project will bring some benefits to communities, it is still critical to conduct robust community engagement processes. We cannot accept a norm wherein residents feel that changes are happening to them, without them. If we do not meaningfully incorporate people's real concerns in infrastructure changes, it is more difficult to build the public trust and cooperation needed to see those projects through successfully.

Would you support raising the residential parking permit fee from $0 to $25 per car per year, with an exemption for anyone on SNAP or other means-tested government assistance, in order to raise $3 million dollars for transit and road safety improvements?

Yes

Community Engagement & Equity

In a hypothetical scenario in which the city proposes a change in pedestrian or mobility infrastructure, and it is broadly popular yet a small but vocal group opposes it because of parking changes, where would you place your support?

1 = Small but vocal neighborhood group, 5 = Supportive broader community
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

I believe we have to come together as a city and listen to all residents' concerns, regardless of whether we agree with them 100% or not. We must also recognize that it is much easier for some communities to organize around issues that are important to them than it is for others. That's why it's critical for the City to be intentional about whose voices are being heard and whose needs are being centered.

That said, I would ultimately support changes that make our city safer, more accessible, and more connected for everyone: pedestrians, cyclists, and residents who rely on public transit. Parking convenience should not outweigh the long-term benefits of sustainable and equitable mobility infrastructure. That said, what we cannot do is simply begin a rapid transformation that adds additional financial burden on our low-income communities of color. We have to engage them and ensure that a transition benefits everyone, as I am certain it can.

Do you believe that community opposition to bike lanes, center running bus lanes, raised intersections, speed humps, etc., should override city-wide safety and equity goals?

No

(Optional) Studies have found that pedestrians from Black and Latino neighborhoods in Boston are more likely to be victims of traffic violence, even when they travel elsewhere in the city. What is your plan to address the racial disparities that impact street safety in Boston?

Last summer, in response to a violent homicide caused by a scooter driver, our office established a citywide Quality of Life and Safety Task Force to bring together residents from various walks of life, beliefs, and experiences to discuss city-wide and neighborhood-specific solutions to address street and community safety. We believe that these organizing strategies focused on listening and educating is the way forward.

Our office is committed to bringing all voices into all spaces and places out of a core belief that that is how we arrive at the best solutions. We are very intentional about ensuring that people of color and low-income residents, who are often most impacted by inequities in infrastructure, enforcement, and investment are centered in the decision-making process.

We must exercise all tools in our tool box (policy, adequate allocation of funds, educational campaigns, improved community processes, and more) to address the racial disparities that exist in our streets.

Climate & Transit Integration

How significant a role do you believe walking and biking should play in achieving Boston's climate action and resiliency goals?

1 = No role at all, 5 = Very significant role
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Will you support banning "right on red" at all traffic lights within city limits as adopted by Cambridge?

No

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for unsafe driving such as speeding and red-light running at Boston's most hazardous intersections?

No

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for illegal parking in bus stops, crosswalks, and bike lanes?

No

Mode Shift & Open Streets

Do you support expanding the Open Streets program (regular car-free streets for walking, biking, community gatherings)?

Yes

(Optional) Which streets or neighborhoods would you prioritize for expansion of the Open Streets?

I am a proponent of working directly with communities to determine the next iterations of Open Streets. I like that the city has moved towards hosting Open Streets in majority Black/ Brown areas, and would support further expansion in those places among others that have diverse residents. That said, I will always defer to community and local small business owners before selecting a specific street or neighborhood to prioritize.

Would you support a mode-shift incentive program (discounted Bluebikes, MBTA passes, benefits for car-free households)?

Yes

Would you support expanding public programs for e-bike access (rebates, lotteries, subsidies for low-income residents)?

Yes

(Optional) Boston traffic is among the worst in the nation. What is your plan to have your constituents, your team, and you personally become less car dependent?

I think we have an opportunity to be more intentional about how we have these conversations. As of now, it feels as though there is an unnecessary and harmful divide, often framed on racial/ socioeconomic lines, about bike lanes vs. more cars. I do not subscribe to this mode of thinking. I am confident that through robust and culturally competent community engagement and educational campaigns, we can demonstrate that everybody can win (financially and from a public health and safety perspective) when we develop infrastructure that decreases our over-reliance on cars.

(Optional) If you want to elaborate further on any of your answers in this survey, please do so here.

Regarding a citywide connected bike network and the removal of parking, requiring Boston to redesign at least 5 high-crash intersections per year, and upgrading quick-build bike lanes into permanent infrastructure, we must let community lead the process. This means investing in infrastructure that connects neighborhoods historically left out of mobility planning conversations. Public engagement must be comprehensive, multilingual, and inclusive. In doing so, we can build trust and land in a place that truly benefits everybody.

In regard to automated punitive measures for parking, speeding, running red lights, etc., I want to flag that we have to be mindful of unintended consequences that may arise due to biased data, inconsistent enforcement, and the disproportionate impact these systems can have on low-income residents and communities of color. I support the implementation of technology to promote safety in our streets, but we cannot ignore how emerging technology without guardrails can be used to worsen existing inequities.

Liz Breadon (she/her)

Website: liz4ab.com

Candidate Travel Background

What is your experience biking and/or walking around Boston?

I do not bike in Boston due to safety concerns but I walk a lot.

How do you typically get around Boston? Please rank the choices with 1 being most often.

1. Personal vehicle
2. Public transit
3. Walking
4. Rideshare or taxi
5. Bicycle
6. Scooter or other micromobility

How does the way you get around influence your perspective on transportation policy?

I appreciate that people need reliable public transit. I appreciate that residents have different ability levels and accessibility can be challenging for some people some places.We are so car centric that this poses a risk for other users in Boston.

Have you ever visited a place where you felt you could get around without a car?

Yes

(Optional) Which places did you visit where you felt like you could get around without a car? What about that place made it feel accessible without a car?

I come from Northern Ireland and in Belfast and London and other European cities people use public transit and are less reliant on cars.

District Vision & Priorities

Do you believe your constituents primarily want more personal vehicle parking & driving space or expanded walking, biking, and public transit infrastructure?

1 = more personal vehicle space, 5 = expanded public transit infrastructure
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

The a/b structure of this question (more parking or expanded other transit) does not match the scale (ranking). There are constituents who want more parking and car access and likely an equal number who want improved alternative transit. I would say it is 50/50 so we need to consider all of these needs and preferences as part of transportation planning.

Which transportation challenges do you believe are most pressing for your constituents? Choose 3-5 of the options below.

frequency of bus/train/commuter rail service
lack of bus priority lanes/traffic
signals resulting in bus delays
condition/placement of bus stops
maintenance/condition of sidewalks
condition/existence of pavement markings
amount of parking for personal vehicles
availability of bicycle parking
condition/location of crosswalks
traffic signal timing
condition/availability of biking infrastructure
MBTA "The Ride" service

Will you commit to prioritizing at least one high-crash corridor or intersection in your district for safety improvements during your term?

Yes

(Optional) Please name specific high-crash corridors or intersections you will prioritize.
Examples include: Dorchester Ave & Columbia Rd, Mattapan Square.

Cleveland Circle, Lincoln Street, Kenrick Street, Brooks & Fanueil, Parsons St, Warren & Commonwealth

Safer Streets & Infrastructure

How committed will you be to expanding safe biking, walking, and rolling (wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, etc.) infrastructure in your district?

1 = Not committed at all, 5 = Fully committed
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Would you support completing a citywide connected bike network by a target year (e.g., 2030), even if it requires reallocating parking or travel lanes?

Yes

Will you support requiring Boston to redesign at least 5 high-crash intersections per year, prioritizing areas near schools, libraries, and transit hubs?

Yes

Will you support upgrading quick-build bike lanes (plastic posts, paint) into permanent infrastructure (concrete curbs, planters) within 2 years of installation?

Yes

Budget & Accountability

Would you support a 2026 budget line item to continue growing an electrified BlueBike network with a focus on closing existing equity gaps in coverage?

Yes

Will you use your role in the city budget process to advocate for increased investments to the Streets Cabinet's budget for biking/walking/rolling infrastructure, policy, and programming?
Examples include: commitment to Vision Zero, the Boston Safe Routes to School Program, Learn-to-Bike sessions for adults and youth, and safe biking/walking infrastructure.

Yes

How confident are you that the Streets Cabinet, i.e., Boston Public Works and Transportation Departments are currently delivering projects equitably and on time?

1 = Not confident at all, 5 = Very confident
1 ⬛️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Would you support raising the residential parking permit fee from $0 to $25 per car per year, with an exemption for anyone on SNAP or other means-tested government assistance, in order to raise $3 million dollars for transit and road safety improvements?

Yes

Community Engagement & Equity

In a hypothetical scenario in which the city proposes a change in pedestrian or mobility infrastructure, and it is broadly popular yet a small but vocal group opposes it because of parking changes, where would you place your support?

1 = Small but vocal neighborhood group, 5 = Supportive broader community
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Do you believe that community opposition to bike lanes, center running bus lanes, raised intersections, speed humps, etc., should override city-wide safety and equity goals?

No

(Optional) Studies have found that pedestrians from Black and Latino neighborhoods in Boston are more likely to be victims of traffic violence, even when they travel elsewhere in the city. What is your plan to address the racial disparities that impact street safety in Boston?

optional

Climate & Transit Integration

How significant a role do you believe walking and biking should play in achieving Boston's climate action and resiliency goals?

1 = No role at all, 5 = Very significant role
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Will you support banning "right on red" at all traffic lights within city limits as adopted by Cambridge?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for unsafe driving such as speeding and red-light running at Boston's most hazardous intersections?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for illegal parking in bus stops, crosswalks, and bike lanes?

Yes

Mode Shift & Open Streets

Do you support expanding the Open Streets program (regular car-free streets for walking, biking, community gatherings)?

No

(Optional) Which streets or neighborhoods would you prioritize for expansion of the Open Streets?

No response

Would you support a mode-shift incentive program (discounted Bluebikes, MBTA passes, benefits for car-free households)?

Yes

Would you support expanding public programs for e-bike access (rebates, lotteries, subsidies for low-income residents)?

Yes

(Optional) Boston traffic is among the worst in the nation. What is your plan to have your constituents, your team, and you personally become less car dependent?

No response

(Optional) If you want to elaborate further on any of your answers in this survey, please do so here.

No response

Marvin Mathelier (he/him/his)

Website: https://www.marvinforboston.com/

Candidate Travel Background

What is your experience biking and/or walking around Boston?

I live in very-walkable Egleston Square in Boston, so I'm able to walk, bike, and take the T to a lot of where I regularly need to go. I have 2 bikes‚ an eBike I use to get around the neighborhood, and an urban arrow (bucket bike) I use for my business, so we don't have to use a car when we do local catering, as well as for my kids‚ whether that's school pickups or going on adventures around Boston with them. I've also been using my bike sometimes to get me from Jamaica Plain to some areas of Roslindale or West Rox to canvass lately!

How do you typically get around Boston? Please rank the choices with 1 being most often.

1. Public transit
2. Personal vehicle
3. Rideshare or taxi
4. Bicycle
5. Walking
6. Scooter or other micromobility

How does the way you get around influence your perspective on transportation policy?

When I used to work for the Executive Office of Veteran Services, I used to take T to and from work. Now that I'm canvassing different neighborhoods around Boston, I more often have to use a personal vehicle (I also carry signs and other materials) to get there in a timely fashion or if it's raining. This has driven home for me the disparities in public transportation availability and accessibility in different neighborhoods, and how that shapes residents' options.

My experiences cycling around the city, sometimes with my kids, has made me very aware of the level of safety of bike paths in different parts of the city. We are very fortunate in my neighborhood to be near the Southwest Corridor bike path, where I feel very safe biking with my kids. But there are other areas of Boston that have gaps in bike paths, or bike lanes that aren't safe enough, where I wouldn't ride with my kids in tow. Because of this, I want to make sure there are more bike routes that are not only available and easy to use, but also safe enough that anyone can use them.

Have you ever visited a place where you felt you could get around without a car?

Yes

(Optional) Which places did you visit where you felt like you could get around without a car? What about that place made it feel accessible without a car?

Many places in Boston, as well as New York City, Chicago, and in London and parts of Spain while traveling. The public transportation systems in these locations felt intuitive, you could find proper signage for where you needed to go and maps were visible and easy to read. The accessibility and hours of operation also made a big difference. It was usually possible to get to public transportation within a 10-minute walk or so, and the trains went through the night, even if they were less frequent during late night hours. These systems were also cost effective, where $10-20 can get you a few rides throughout the city.

District Vision & Priorities

Do you believe your constituents primarily want more personal vehicle parking & driving space or expanded walking, biking, and public transit infrastructure?

1 = more personal vehicle space, 5 = expanded public transit infrastructure
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

It depends. As an at-large candidate, I'd represent residents across Boston, and from talking to constituents, different people from different neighborhoods have differing needs and desires. People in neighborhoods that already have greater accessibility to the T and residents don't rely as heavily on cars, residents I've spoken with are more in favor of improving bike lanes and an on-time T. Meanwhile, in places where the subway is a mile away or more and residents have to rely on cars, they may not be as in favor of bike lanes at this time.

I believe constituents across Boston do want expanded walking, biking, and public transit infrastructure, and residents also want to have a voice in how and where transportation infrastructure is implemented. I believe we can create a mutli-modal transportation system that meets the variety of needs of Boston residents, and takes into account neighborhoods' differing structures and needs.

Which transportation challenges do you believe are most pressing for your constituents? Choose 3-5 of the options below.

frequency of bus/train/commuter rail service
lack of bus priority lanes/traffic
signals resulting in bus delays
condition/placement of bus stops
maintenance/condition of sidewalks
condition/existence of pavement markings
amount of parking for personal vehicles
availability of bicycle parking
condition/location of crosswalks
traffic signal timing
condition/availability of biking infrastructure
MBTA "The Ride" service

Will you commit to prioritizing at least one high-crash corridor or intersection in your district for safety improvements during your term?

Yes

(Optional) Please name specific high-crash corridors or intersections you will prioritize.
Examples include: Dorchester Ave & Columbia Rd, Mattapan Square.

Mass Ave & Beacon St along with Columbia Rd & Washington St because based on 2015 - 2017 data both are top 5 pedestrian injury crash intersections. The former is also right near the Esplanade, which is a major city draw, and Columbia and Washington are right near Franklin Park, another valued green space, which will only see an increase in traffic with its continued development.

Safer Streets & Infrastructure

How committed will you be to expanding safe biking, walking, and rolling (wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, etc.) infrastructure in your district?

1 = Not committed at all, 5 = Fully committed
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

Increasing this infrastructure is a net positive for everyone. It increases safety (decreasing the chance of collisions), is another way of decreasing our net emissions, and furthers our mission to make this city accessible for all.

Would you support completing a citywide connected bike network by a target year (e.g., 2030), even if it requires reallocating parking or travel lanes?

Yes

Will you support requiring Boston to redesign at least 5 high-crash intersections per year, prioritizing areas near schools, libraries, and transit hubs?

Yes

Will you support upgrading quick-build bike lanes (plastic posts, paint) into permanent infrastructure (concrete curbs, planters) within 2 years of installation?

Yes

Budget & Accountability

Would you support a 2026 budget line item to continue growing an electrified BlueBike network with a focus on closing existing equity gaps in coverage?

Yes

Will you use your role in the city budget process to advocate for increased investments to the Streets Cabinet's budget for biking/walking/rolling infrastructure, policy, and programming?
Examples include: commitment to Vision Zero, the Boston Safe Routes to School Program, Learn-to-Bike sessions for adults and youth, and safe biking/walking infrastructure.

Yes

How confident are you that the Streets Cabinet, i.e., Boston Public Works and Transportation Departments are currently delivering projects equitably and on time?

1 = Not confident at all, 5 = Very confident
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

4 because there is still room for improvement. Over the course of this campaign, I have heard time and time again about traffic around Franklin Park. Even before the recent construction of the new stadium, there is congestion when driving past this hub for the community, which is a problem that still needs addressing.

Would you support raising the residential parking permit fee from $0 to $25 per car per year, with an exemption for anyone on SNAP or other means-tested government assistance, in order to raise $3 million dollars for transit and road safety improvements?

Yes

Community Engagement & Equity

In a hypothetical scenario in which the city proposes a change in pedestrian or mobility infrastructure, and it is broadly popular yet a small but vocal group opposes it because of parking changes, where would you place your support?

1 = Small but vocal neighborhood group, 5 = Supportive broader community
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

I once again return to the Franklin Park infrastructure issue, the bike lanes there should have their physical infrastructure developed from existing rapid infrastructure, along with a parking solution not unlike that of the Commons. If this hypothetical were to gather popular support with a small vocal group, I'd place my support with the broad community which has already expressed its need for a solution.

Do you believe that community opposition to bike lanes, center running bus lanes, raised intersections, speed humps, etc., should override city-wide safety and equity goals?

No

(Optional) Studies have found that pedestrians from Black and Latino neighborhoods in Boston are more likely to be victims of traffic violence, even when they travel elsewhere in the city. What is your plan to address the racial disparities that impact street safety in Boston?

By increasing the infrastructure like what's already been created in other neighborhoods, to ensure we not only decrease collisions amongst our black and brown communities but for everyone.

Climate & Transit Integration

How significant a role do you believe walking and biking should play in achieving Boston's climate action and resiliency goals?

1 = No role at all, 5 = Very significant role
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

It's a vital way of cutting carbon emissions, given that transportation makes up about 30% of emissions.

Will you support banning "right on red" at all traffic lights within city limits as adopted by Cambridge?

No

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for unsafe driving such as speeding and red-light running at Boston's most hazardous intersections?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for illegal parking in bus stops, crosswalks, and bike lanes?

Yes

Mode Shift & Open Streets

Do you support expanding the Open Streets program (regular car-free streets for walking, biking, community gatherings)?

Yes

(Optional) Which streets or neighborhoods would you prioritize for expansion of the Open Streets?

Eastie, North End, or Allston/Brighton seeing as how they are lacking this community event.

Would you support a mode-shift incentive program (discounted Bluebikes, MBTA passes, benefits for car-free households)?

Yes

Would you support expanding public programs for e-bike access (rebates, lotteries, subsidies for low-income residents)?

Yes

(Optional) Boston traffic is among the worst in the nation. What is your plan to have your constituents, your team, and you personally become less car dependent?

I personally commit to continuing to walk, bike, and use public transportation whenever possible. While we can talk to people about their individual habits and personal responsibilities, that also needs to be supported by increased infrastructure and incentives that make it increasingly possible for everyone in Boston to become less car-dependent. I am committed to making those things happen when I'm elected to Boston City Council.

(Optional) If you want to elaborate further on any of your answers in this survey, please do so here.

No response

Ruthzee Louijeune she/her

Website: https://www.ruthzeeforboston.com/

Candidate Travel Background

What is your experience biking and/or walking around Boston?

I frequently walk around the city.

How do you typically get around Boston? Please rank the choices with 1 being most often.

1. Personal vehicle
2. Public transit
3. Walking
4. Rideshare or taxi
5. Scooter or other micromobility
6. Bicycle

How does the way you get around influence your perspective on transportation policy?

My perspective on transportation policy is not limited to my current travel habits: it's shaped by my own lived experience of navigating Boston. I am a daughter of the City and throughout different phases of my life I have interacted with nearly all methods of travel as I navigated from school, work, to visit friends and neighbors. I believe we are most successful in designing a comprehensive, environmentally friendly, equitable transportation policy when acknowledging the unique challenges faced by individual neighborhoods and residents in different life stages and fiscal positions.

Have you ever visited a place where you felt you could get around without a car?

Yes

(Optional) Which places did you visit where you felt like you could get around without a car? What about that place made it feel accessible without a car?

Amsterdam. I also lived in DC and New York and never had a car. Robust Public Transit. Scooters.

District Vision & Priorities

Do you believe your constituents primarily want more personal vehicle parking & driving space or expanded walking, biking, and public transit infrastructure?

1 = more personal vehicle space, 5 = expanded public transit infrastructure
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

I believe constituents want both, because what they truly want is a transportation system that works. This isn't an "either/or" debate for the people I talk to. It's a "both/and" reality. The goal isn't to choose between drivers and cyclists, or between parking and public transit. The goal is to reduce our city's crippling over-reliance on single-occupancy cars by providing better, safer, and more reliable alternatives.
When we do that, everyone wins.
By building out a network of dedicated bus lanes, we make the bus a faster, more appealing option, which takes cars off the road.
By creating a grid of safe, protected bike lanes, we empower people who are able to cycle to do so, which takes cars off the road.
By fighting for a functional, frequent, and reliable MBTA, we give thousands of people the best reason to leave their car at home.
When we successfully build and maintain these alternatives, the result is less traffic and less competition for parking for those who truly need their vehicles: our seniors, tradespeople, families with young children, and residents with disabilities.

Which transportation challenges do you believe are most pressing for your constituents? Choose 3-5 of the options below.

frequency of bus/train/commuter rail service
lack of bus priority lanes/traffic
signals resulting in bus delays
condition/placement of bus stops
maintenance/condition of sidewalks
condition/existence of pavement markings
amount of parking for personal vehicles
availability of bicycle parking
condition/location of crosswalks
traffic signal timing
condition/availability of biking infrastructure
MBTA "The Ride" service

Will you commit to prioritizing at least one high-crash corridor or intersection in your district for safety improvements during your term?

Yes

(Optional) Please name specific high-crash corridors or intersections you will prioritize.
Examples include: Dorchester Ave & Columbia Rd, Mattapan Square.

Mattapan Square, K-Circle

Safer Streets & Infrastructure

How committed will you be to expanding safe biking, walking, and rolling (wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, etc.) infrastructure in your district?

1 = Not committed at all, 5 = Fully committed
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

Expanding safe infrastructure for walking, biking, and rolling is a core belief about what makes a city livable, equitable, and vibrant. I am very committed to addressing these concerns.

Would you support completing a citywide connected bike network by a target year (e.g., 2030), even if it requires reallocating parking or travel lanes?

No

Will you support requiring Boston to redesign at least 5 high-crash intersections per year, prioritizing areas near schools, libraries, and transit hubs?

Yes

Will you support upgrading quick-build bike lanes (plastic posts, paint) into permanent infrastructure (concrete curbs, planters) within 2 years of installation?

Yes

Budget & Accountability

Would you support a 2026 budget line item to continue growing an electrified BlueBike network with a focus on closing existing equity gaps in coverage?

No

Will you use your role in the city budget process to advocate for increased investments to the Streets Cabinet's budget for biking/walking/rolling infrastructure, policy, and programming?
Examples include: commitment to Vision Zero, the Boston Safe Routes to School Program, Learn-to-Bike sessions for adults and youth, and safe biking/walking infrastructure.

Yes

How confident are you that the Streets Cabinet, i.e., Boston Public Works and Transportation Departments are currently delivering projects equitably and on time?

1 = Not confident at all, 5 = Very confident
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Would you support raising the residential parking permit fee from $0 to $25 per car per year, with an exemption for anyone on SNAP or other means-tested government assistance, in order to raise $3 million dollars for transit and road safety improvements?

No

Community Engagement & Equity

In a hypothetical scenario in which the city proposes a change in pedestrian or mobility infrastructure, and it is broadly popular yet a small but vocal group opposes it because of parking changes, where would you place your support?

1 = Small but vocal neighborhood group, 5 = Supportive broader community
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Do you believe that community opposition to bike lanes, center running bus lanes, raised intersections, speed humps, etc., should override city-wide safety and equity goals?

No

(Optional) Studies have found that pedestrians from Black and Latino neighborhoods in Boston are more likely to be victims of traffic violence, even when they travel elsewhere in the city. What is your plan to address the racial disparities that impact street safety in Boston?

No response

Climate & Transit Integration

How significant a role do you believe walking and biking should play in achieving Boston's climate action and resiliency goals?

1 = No role at all, 5 = Very significant role
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

No response

Will you support banning "right on red" at all traffic lights within city limits as adopted by Cambridge?

No

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for unsafe driving such as speeding and red-light running at Boston's most hazardous intersections?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for illegal parking in bus stops, crosswalks, and bike lanes?

Yes

Mode Shift & Open Streets

Do you support expanding the Open Streets program (regular car-free streets for walking, biking, community gatherings)?

Yes

(Optional) Which streets or neighborhoods would you prioritize for expansion of the Open Streets?

Mattapan

Would you support a mode-shift incentive program (discounted Bluebikes, MBTA passes, benefits for car-free households)?

Yes

Would you support expanding public programs for e-bike access (rebates, lotteries, subsidies for low-income residents)?

Yes

(Optional) Boston traffic is among the worst in the nation. What is your plan to have your constituents, your team, and you personally become less car dependent?

Better public transit. More reliable, more affordable, and more easily available.

(Optional) If you want to elaborate further on any of your answers in this survey, please do so here.

We currently have a discounted program for BlueBikes for qualifying households

Steven Berry

Website: n/a

Candidate Travel Background

What is your experience biking and/or walking around Boston?

Walking, biking, buses, and the orange line are how I primarily get around Boston. I am fortunate enough to also live along the Southwest Corridor Park which makes walking and cycling easier, but we need significant changes on our streets in regard to traffic enforcement to make our streets safe.

How do you typically get around Boston? Please rank the choices with 1 being most often.

1. Walking
2. Public transit
3. Bicycle
4. Scooter or other micromobility
5. Personal vehicle
6. Rideshare or taxi

How does the way you get around influence your perspective on transportation policy?

I grew up in a car centric family and have lived in multiple car centric cities and areas. Boston is a compact city with multiple transit options, and after years of walking and taking the subway or bus with an infant, it is apparent we need to increase bus and bike lane infrastructure to reduce our dependence on personal vehicles. We also need to clear the sidewalks from all of the barriers that make it difficult for anyone to safely walk, especially those with accessibility needs.

There is not enough room for more vehicles and right now is the time to make that a priority. Our federal government is giving us many more questions than answers on what they believe American life is, but they have been crystal clear they only care about infrastructure prioritizing personal vehicles, and that is not what we need in Boston.

Have you ever visited a place where you felt you could get around without a car?

Yes

(Optional) Which places did you visit where you felt like you could get around without a car? What about that place made it feel accessible without a car?

Realistically, an e bike has the ability to make any smaller town and most cities accessible without a vehicle. I currently live close to the Orange Line and using a vehicle to get around the city isn't even a consideration as it does not provide the freedom walking, biking, and public transit does.

District Vision & Priorities

Do you believe your constituents primarily want more personal vehicle parking & driving space or expanded walking, biking, and public transit infrastructure?

1 = more personal vehicle space, 5 = expanded public transit infrastructure
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

The mayoral preliminary election made it clear we all want expanded walking, biking, and transit infrastructure, as was the case in 2021. It is time for our leadership to follow through on their platform instead of using us to gain votes only to then backtrack at the first sign of opposition. This year's mayoral "race" significantly delayed bike and bus infrastructure, including the removal of bus lanes and a complete stop to bike lane expansion. We have a lot of ground to make up for this.

Which transportation challenges do you believe are most pressing for your constituents? Choose 3-5 of the options below.

frequency of bus/train/commuter rail service
lack of bus priority lanes/traffic
signals resulting in bus delays
condition/placement of bus stops
maintenance/condition of sidewalks
condition/existence of pavement markings
amount of parking for personal vehicles
availability of bicycle parking
condition/location of crosswalks
traffic signal timing
condition/availability of biking infrastructure
MBTA "The Ride" service

Will you commit to prioritizing at least one high-crash corridor or intersection in your district for safety improvements during your term?

Yes

(Optional) Please name specific high-crash corridors or intersections you will prioritize.
Examples include: Dorchester Ave & Columbia Rd, Mattapan Square.

I would prioritize all of the corridors near Forest Hills station including Washington St to Egleston Square and Centre St to Huntington Ave. We need to make big and bold moves today, we can no longer live with the incrementalism of these services. We must expand bike and bus lanes on a large scale.

Safer Streets & Infrastructure

How committed will you be to expanding safe biking, walking, and rolling (wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, etc.) infrastructure in your district?

1 = Not committed at all, 5 = Fully committed
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

Accessibility is quite literally my number one priority for everything. Everyone needs equal access to our city services. We don't have funding to fix all of our streets, but we could at least prioritize the busiest streets as a start. A very low cost plan would include cleaning up our sidewalks and ensuring there is nothing flowing over onto the sidewalks and trimming trees to an acceptable height. We have far too many sidewalks and paths that are blocked by overgrown flowers, plants, trees, etc that make it very difficult for anyone with accessibility needs to safely navigate and lead to pedestrians having to walk into the street to go around our poorly maintained sidewalks.

Would you support completing a citywide connected bike network by a target year (e.g., 2030), even if it requires reallocating parking or travel lanes?

Yes

Will you support requiring Boston to redesign at least 5 high-crash intersections per year, prioritizing areas near schools, libraries, and transit hubs?

Yes

Will you support upgrading quick-build bike lanes (plastic posts, paint) into permanent infrastructure (concrete curbs, planters) within 2 years of installation?

Yes

Budget & Accountability

Would you support a 2026 budget line item to continue growing an electrified BlueBike network with a focus on closing existing equity gaps in coverage?

Yes

Will you use your role in the city budget process to advocate for increased investments to the Streets Cabinet's budget for biking/walking/rolling infrastructure, policy, and programming?
Examples include: commitment to Vision Zero, the Boston Safe Routes to School Program, Learn-to-Bike sessions for adults and youth, and safe biking/walking infrastructure.

Yes

How confident are you that the Streets Cabinet, i.e., Boston Public Works and Transportation Departments are currently delivering projects equitably and on time?

1 = Not confident at all, 5 = Very confident
1 ⬛️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

Our mayor and elected officials ran on bus and bike improvements over the past few years, and in 2025 we have halted essentially all bus and bike infrastructure, including the removal of the bus lane for the 39 bus on Boylston street, which is one of the 5 busiest bus routes for the MBTA. The rollout of these lanes has had its own issues on effectiveness, mostly due to no enforcement of the rules. We demand better and safer streets for everyone, and I will hold everyone accountable on following through on their word.

Would you support raising the residential parking permit fee from $0 to $25 per car per year, with an exemption for anyone on SNAP or other means-tested government assistance, in order to raise $3 million dollars for transit and road safety improvements?

Yes

Community Engagement & Equity

In a hypothetical scenario in which the city proposes a change in pedestrian or mobility infrastructure, and it is broadly popular yet a small but vocal group opposes it because of parking changes, where would you place your support?

1 = Small but vocal neighborhood group, 5 = Supportive broader community
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

I support services that will make the entire city a better place for all modes of transportation for everyone. To accomplish this, we need safe, reliable and usable bus and bike infrastructure, as well as more safety measures for pedestrians. These are the things most people want, and we deserve to have these things now, not slowly rolled out over 15-20 years with multiple stops during election years.

Do you believe that community opposition to bike lanes, center running bus lanes, raised intersections, speed humps, etc., should override city-wide safety and equity goals?

No

(Optional) Studies have found that pedestrians from Black and Latino neighborhoods in Boston are more likely to be victims of traffic violence, even when they travel elsewhere in the city. What is your plan to address the racial disparities that impact street safety in Boston?

Enforced traffic monitoring for parking, bikes, and buses will increase police presence along busier streets, as well as provide a small sense of safety knowing our streets are actually being monitored and creating a safe environment for all of us.

There are multiple ways to address this and I would like to hear much more input from communities, but we already pay police for this service, we need to go back to enforcing traffic violations. Its a small step that can have a big impact immediately.

Climate & Transit Integration

How significant a role do you believe walking and biking should play in achieving Boston's climate action and resiliency goals?

1 = No role at all, 5 = Very significant role
1 ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 5

(Optional) Explanation for the answer above.

Due to uncertainties of our federal government, I believe walking and biking will have a significant role on our resiliency goals. I think the biggest change we can make today would be to fully fund train and rail infrastructure, including significant improvements to our commuter rail system, turning it into a reliable regional rail system with trains arriving every 15-30 minutes throughout Massachusetts. We already have the right of way for the tracks and banned ourselves from buying diesel trains, now is a great time to vastly improve our network.

Will you support banning "right on red" at all traffic lights within city limits as adopted by Cambridge?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for unsafe driving such as speeding and red-light running at Boston's most hazardous intersections?

Yes

Will you support automated enforcement (with equity safeguards) for illegal parking in bus stops, crosswalks, and bike lanes?

Yes

Mode Shift & Open Streets

Do you support expanding the Open Streets program (regular car-free streets for walking, biking, community gatherings)?

Yes

(Optional) Which streets or neighborhoods would you prioritize for expansion of the Open Streets?

I would like to see an increase in the number of days for all of the neighborhoods, as well as a study on which neighborhoods could benefit from being pedestrianized full time, such as Newbury St.

Would you support a mode-shift incentive program (discounted Bluebikes, MBTA passes, benefits for car-free households)?

No

Would you support expanding public programs for e-bike access (rebates, lotteries, subsidies for low-income residents)?

Yes

(Optional) Boston traffic is among the worst in the nation. What is your plan to have your constituents, your team, and you personally become less car dependent?

I am fortunate enough to live along the Orange Line and enjoy the many benefits of our city without needing to use a vehicle to get everywhere.

(Optional) If you want to elaborate further on any of your answers in this survey, please do so here.

I believe we should be looking at transportation as a whole, not in fragmented pieces as we do today. I am in support of mopeds and e-bikes, especially for deliveries. A vehicle is not needed for deliveries on our crowded streets, mopeds and e-bikes create a much lower barrier to entry and take up significantly less space, as well as less air pollution compared to vehicles.

No one is willing to fully admit it, but we currently do not have many levers to pull to on the environmental front for the foreseeable future, and this is why I believe bus, bike, and train expansion is more vital now than it has ever been.