Hey Denver! It’s time to vote for a new Mayor! At BikeDenver, we believe that bicycling is part of the identity of the City of Denver and we wanted to find out how our mayoral candidates viewed issues and priorities related to bicycling. We encourage, you, the reader, to research candidate positions on a wide spectrum of issues and we hope that these specific responses will help you in that process.
In early April, 2011, BikeDenver sent this bicycle specific questionaire to all the candidates on Denver’s mayoral ballot. At press time, we are reporting all the responses we received:
1. According to the Denver Regional Air Quality Council: Emissions from mobile sources (cars, trucks, etc) make up the largest segment of air pollution in the Denver metropolitan region.
As Mayor, how will you work to reduce pollution-causing automobile trips?
Jeff Peckman
For the purpose of reducing pollution, the most practical, significant, and cost-effective solution is to make vehicles non-polluting with technologies that also save fuel enough to pay back the investment. I would aggressively create the conditions for implementing existing and emerging technologies that can dramatically reduce pollution caused by vehicles. This will also create a new economy and jobs, in manufacturing and retrofitting vehicles.
People will continue to drive cars in large numbers, and will not change that habit or need in any significant way, certainly not by using bikes enough to make a significant difference. That is especially true if it means biking near vehicles emitting toxic fumes. The more that vehicle pollution is reduced, the more people can enjoy biking in the city. I don’t like to bike anywhere near streets with cars, both because of the safety and air quality issues. Those adverse conditions are very limiting.
A simultaneous but more immediate solution is to use a technology that can reduce the inherent chaos in man-made electromagnetic fields. This chaos, resulting in these collective fields in a metro-wide power grid, creates a kind of “electrostatic trap” for natural and man-made ozone and other pollutants. When this chaos is greatly reduced, the ozone and pollutants are allowed to flow up into the upper atmosphere where a natural air cleaning process involving ultraviolet light can occur. This has been demonstrated in Los Angeles with a more than 40% improvement in air quality over a period of 80 days.
Chris Romer
As an avid bike enthusiast, riding 40-60 miles per week in the spring and summer, and a
member of BikeDenver I plan to lead by example. I will be a biking mayor – riding as
much as possible myself and continuing my work to make Denver a national leader in
bicycling. As Mayor I am committed to:
• Improving infrastructure throughout the city to encourage commuting by bicycle and cycling tourism
• Expanding the B-cycle program in Denver
• Ensuring bike paths and routes continue throughout the metro area and do not stop at city lines
• Encouraging the establishment of cycling teams in Denver high schools
• Ensuring city government and services are bike-friendly and promote cycling in Denver
Theresa Spahn
By completing FasTracks by 2019, Denver will be a city that is designed to move people, not just cars. That is why I, along with the Metro Mayor’s Caucus and RTD Board of Directors, support a .4% tax increase on the November 2012 ballot. This vision is a critical infrastructure investment to Denver’s economy, and a vital step in becoming a green city. We will decrease our reliance on automobiles through increased public transit access and use, transit-oriented development, and bike and pedestrian enhancements in order to save our environment and make Denver a model for sustainability.
Thomas Wolf
Can I answer something easier, like how to bring peace to the Mideast? Hard to
get citizens out from behind the wheel, but certainly making the city more bike and
pedestrian friendly has to be the main thrust. On the pollution front, from what I
have read it is really a power law issue i.e. a large% of the pollution comes from
a small % of highly emitting vehicles. I use to report heavy emitter to Clean Air
Colorado’s hotline until I found out they are all bark and no bite. Being a Wolf, I
will obviously do what I can to introduce a proactive “bite”, and just like the rest
of my policies that aim to change behavior, it will strike at the violator’s wallets
aggressively to get swift results.
Carol Boigon
Did not reply.
Michael Hancock
Did not reply.
Doug Linkhart
Did not Reply.
Danny Lopez
Did not reply.
James Mejia
Did not reply.
Ken Simpson
Did not reply.
2. The State of Colorado is currently the least obese state in the US, although our population is becoming obese at a faster rate than any other state. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, biking for transportation can count toward the minimum 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity recommended for physical health. It is also listed as the
safest way to get physical activity.
As Mayor how will work to promote bicycling as a way to combat obesity trends?
Jeff Peckman
For the purpose of reducing obesity, stress reduction, proper diet, and a variety of exercise are all critical components, and probably more effective. The variable of weather, safety, available time, and adequate biking routes make regular bicycling one of the less reliable exercise routines for most people.
In West Denver where I live, there is too much glass on the street, too many cars racing along, passengers throwing things at bikers, and vehicle fumes. One time, a few years ago, someone climbed over our 6 foot fence, and used a bolt cutter to get into a metal shed and stole my bicycle. So for a large area of Denver, bicycling is not the preferred way to reduce obesity. Perhaps a special arrangement could be made where B-Cycles are placed at recreation centers for group cycling programs at reduced cost. This would also acquaint people with their neighborhoods, and build more sense of community. Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is really not all that knowledgeable about the best ways to improve health. So I would not use them as the best reference.
Chris Romer
One of the most effective ways we can combat obesity trends is to get our kids back on
bikes. I would work with Denver Public Schools to ensure there is adequate infrastructure
at all of our schools so kids have a place for their bikes. We need to make sure there are
plenty of safe routes for our kids to ride to and from school, so we need to invest in
expanded bike lanes.
This past year I raised money through the Bailey HUNDO bike race for the Colorado
High School Cycling league and as Mayor I would work to promote the Cycling League
throughout all of our high schools. If we can reach our kids early and give them
opportunities to be physically active, especially through biking, we will turn the tide on
our rising obesity problems in Colorado.
Theresa Spahn
As mayor, I will promote multiple bike to work days and create a greater awareness of the B-cycle program, expand the program to under-served areas and sign more residents up for the program. In addition, we must combat obesity trends by working with businesses and showing them how regular exercise, like bicycling, can reduce their bottom line by creating health care cost savings.
Thomas Wolf
My father had a friend with kids who died of a heart attack at a young age. He
immediately sold our second car and he biked to work the rest of his career and
still pedals to this day. He is 80 next year and still has calves that look like fire
hydrants. So from this role model, we became a biking family, which included
annual participation in the pioneering days of RAGBRAI , and bikes became our
default transportation. When you elect me your M ayor set me a goal for the number
of days I ride to work and I will beat it.
Carol Boigon
Did not reply.
Michael Hancock
Did not reply.
Doug Linkhart
Did not Reply.
Danny Lopez
Did not reply.
James Mejia
Did not reply.
Ken Simpson
Did not reply.
3. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership reports that eliminating one bus route, based on average per-pupil expenditure and average number of pupils per bus, would save a school district approximately $37,000 per year.
As Mayor, how would you save limited DPS funds by encouraging more children to
bicycle or walk to school?
Jeff Peckman
For the purpose of saving DPS funds, there are many other ways I would accomplish much bigger savings, without putting children at risk. This question must have been composed by someone living in a nice neighborhood with good bike routes, and clean streets and sidewalks. Before committing to eliminating any bus routes, given issues of safety, weather, etc., I would want sufficient input from parents, and the necessary experts to know that all schools are adequately served by buses.
Saving money for DPS is not a good enough reason to eliminate a service that might be important for the welfare and education of children. Quite frankly, I don’t think Denver is safe enough, and the air quality is not good enough to require all students to walk or bike. And if a bus route was eliminated, it would probably mean more parents driving their children to school.
Chris Romer
As a city we must be committed to increasing the physical activity of our children and so
I think it is important that we see partnerships across the city. As Mayor I would work
create a partnership between the city, DPS and the Denver Fire Department to help
encourage kids to walk or bicycle to school. We must publicize safe routes to school and
provide safe places for kids to go while they are out on their bicycles.
Theresa Spahn
The first thing we must do is make sure that our bike paths are safe, maintained and well-lit. We must also partner with DPS and Denver Fire to educate our children on bike safety via seminars and demonstrations. Lastly, as leaders and role models, we must model the behavior we want our children to emulate, and as mayor, I will commit to riding my bike to work as much as possible.
Thomas Wolf
This follows on to question 2, and the answer is by example, me your Mayor
riding to various events on a mountain, road, cruiser or chopper bike, hell a trike
for that matter or Pedi cab to propel it culturally [limiting disclosure: I never quite
mastered the unicycle or velocipede]. Also, with professional bike racing making a
long overdue return to Colorado there are opportunities to get kids switched on and hyped about getting out pedaling and taking charge of their destiny.
Carol Boigon
Did not reply.
Michael Hancock
Did not reply.
Doug Linkhart
Did not Reply.
Danny Lopez
Did not reply.
James Mejia
Did not reply.
Ken Simpson
Did not reply.
4. The average American household spends more than $8,600 per year on owning and driving their cars (US Bureau of Transportation Statistics). The cost of owning and maintaining a bicycle is approximately $300 per year.
In an economic climate where households are working hard to save money, how
would you help Denver’s working families spend less on transportation?
Jeff Peckman
I would ask the city council to survey their constituents, and find out under what conditions the residents would use a bike instead of a vehicle for regular transportation.
If enough bikes are wanted, then I would invite a bicycle manufacturer to set up shop in Denver, employ Denver residents, and create a lot of bicycles at all ranges of income levels. I would also popularize offering bonuses or fringe benefits, in the form of credits or gift cards, for the purchase of bicycles and accessories from a public-private partnership with the manufacturer. As far as I know, B-cycles are manufactured by Trek in Waterloo, Wisconsin.
If Denver is going to become aggressive in getting more bicycles on the street, let’s create our own brand locally, employ our own people, and keep that money circulating in Denver. Who manufactures bicycles in Denver that are affordable for average working families? If anyone does, then let’s share that information widely.
Chris Romer
As an avid cyclist myself I know first hand that we simply must provide more and
better options for multimodal transportation in Denver and the metro region. I would
increase the number of bike lanes in the city. But we also need to make sure that those
bike lanes don’t end at the city limits but that they continue on into the surrounding
counties. We’re a city within a larger metro area and our bicycling infrastructure must
reflect that.
As we move forward with FasTracks, we need to make sure that the trains and
stations have the infrastructure to support multimodal transportation – not simply
more parking for cars.
Theresa Spahn
As previously mentioned, I will work with the Metro Mayor’s Caucus to complete FasTracks so that the residents of Metro Denver can utilize an effective public transportation system. We must also encourage our 11,000 plus city employees to take advantage of RTD’ s Eco Pass and work to extend that program to part-time city employees. I will also engage businesses to ensure that they are providing bike racks and as previously mentioned, educate them on the benefits of healthy employees who regularly exercise.
Thomas Wolf
Perhaps an advertising campaign serving up those exact metrics. I think the Denver
Water campaign [use what you need] was really effective, particularly when it
provided clear numbers.
Carol Boigon
Did not reply.
Michael Hancock
Did not reply.
Doug Linkhart
Did not Reply.
Danny Lopez
Did not reply.
James Mejia
Did not reply.
Ken Simpson
Did not reply.
5. Between 2005 and 2009 Washington, DC reduced the number of automobiles owned by citizens by nearly 15,000 (AAA North America). Because of the household cost savings it is estimated that $127,270,000 remained in the local economy rather than being diverted to fuel, insurance and finance charges outside of the District.
As Mayor, how would you help keep money in Denver’s local economy by
promoting walking, biking and public transportation?
Jeff Peckman
Firstly, I would find out what Washington D.C. or other cities have done to achieve results like that, and implement whatever was appropriate for Denver. Also see answer to #4 above.
Secondly, I would explore creating and using complimentary currency to pay city employees, and invite the private sector and institutions to join in.
Excerpts from Wikipedia:
“Complementary currency is a hypernym to local currency, but the terms are often used as synonyms. The term “local currency” does not refer to national currency that happens to be used only in a local area.”
“Advocates of local currency, such as Jane Jacobs, argue that this enables an economically cool, yet depressed region to pull itself up by giving the people living there a medium of exchange that they can use to exchange services and locally-produced goods. In a broader sense, this is the original purpose of all money. Local currencies also tend to operate in relatively small geographic regions, and encourage recycling and reducing the amount of carbon emissions from the transportation and manufacture of goods. As a result, they are part of the economic strategy of many green and sustainable-living groups such as the Green Party of England and Wales.”
Use of local currencies to boost local economies is strongly advocated by the Netherlands-based Instrodi Institute.
Chris Romer
While Denver is already a national leader in bicycling we still have areas for
improvement. As an avid bike enthusiast and a member of BikeDenver I plan to lead by
example, I will be a biking mayor. As Mayor I am committed to improving infrastructure
throughout the city, expanding the B-cycle program in Denver and ensuring city
government and services are bike-friendly. Promoting Denver as a bike-friendly city will be a critical part of my tourism marketing
for the city.
Theresa Spahn
The implementation of Denver s new, pedestrian friendly zoning code will promote alternative modes of transportation around the city. The new zoning code requires pedestrian friendly storefronts, moves parking lots towards the back of buildings and encourages greater setbacks from the street. These requirements will help make our sidewalks and business districts more pedestrian friendly instead of car-focused. This will encourage multi-modal transportation and create a more walkable city. As mayor, I will work to implement the new zoning code and make sure that we are achieving the pedestrian-friendly goals set forth in the code.
Thomas Wolf
Fascinating, I would call DC and find out if they have a replicable recipe, and see if
the economic claims actually bear scrutiny.
Carol Boigon
Did not reply.
Michael Hancock
Did not reply.
Doug Linkhart
Did not Reply.
Danny Lopez
Did not reply.
James Mejia
Did not reply.
Ken Simpson
Did not reply.
6. The Colorado Department of Transportation reports that our state brings in more than $650,000 in revenue each year because of bicycling. Between $141,000 and $193,000 of that revenue is from tourism.
As Mayor, how will you work to promote Denver as a tourist destination for
bicyclists?
Jeff Peckman
Denver would have to be a lot more bicycle friendly before promotion to tourists could be done aggressively. There are very few areas of Denver that attract tourists, have adequate bike trails, and are near hotels, all at once. The Cherry Creek trail and downtown hotels offer some opportunity. But in all honestly, if I want to have a nice bike ride, I would usually go outside of Denver.
However, after my “Denver Project” is well underway, air quality is greatly improved, and a network of streets are dedicated to bicycles and other human powered vehicles, then attracting tourists to bike here could be more productive. But the amount of revenue mentioned above is not very significant, and probably not worth paying the salary of one person to promote biking in Denver to tourists. If $141,000-$193,000 is for all of Colorado, considering the extraordinary places there are to bike in the mountains and more bike friendly cities, I would expect that less than $30,000 of that comes from bicycling tourism in Denver. If Denver was southern France, or New Hampshire, then maybe something more could be done. But Denver as a bicycle tourism destination is an oxymoron. Sorry, but that’s just how I see it until major changes are made.
Chris Romer
We can raise our national and international profile starting this summer when the USA
Pro Cycling Challenge’s finishing stage runs from Golden to Denver. The final stage will
be nationally televised on NBC. The entire race is an opportunity to promote Denver’s as
a destination for all types of cyclists. A quarter century of success with Ride the Rockies
also helps profile the marvelous geography of our beautiful state for destination bikers.
Denver’s BCycle program places us on the leading edge of bicycle promoting programs.
The BCycle program is an asset that we should spend more time promoting outside of
Colorado. The program telegraphs to cyclists around the world that Denver is a city that
welcomes cyclists. Denver is a destination for cyclists, we just need to spend more time
communicating that message.
Theresa Spahn
As mayor, I will work with Visit Denver and the local chamber of commerce to support bike races and work to bring major bicycle races to Denver. We must also place bicycle racks at hotels downtown to encourage tourists to ride bikes. Lastly, we must ensure that we are safely directing tourists and commuters to our beautiful bike trails through adequate signage.
Thomas Wolf
I have completed the triple bypass [albeit with an infamous nap at Loveland Basin],
the Stonewall Century in La Veta, and have done I ndependence Pass but sadly not
early spring without cars. So to me the attraction is obvious, and in this instance I
would argue that your numbers are understated. I think we need to leverage the
exposure we will get from the upcoming pro race and support all of the great bike
clubs in getting the message out on our bike culture. I have spent a great deal of
time on bikes in Amsterdam and two summers ago put in about 50 miles on Paris’s
version of our B-cycles, both are a complete blast and we need to get the word out that the same perspective is available for exploring Denver.
Carol Boigon
Did not reply.
Michael Hancock
Did not reply.
Doug Linkhart
Did not Reply.
Danny Lopez
Did not reply.
James Mejia
Did not reply.
Ken Simpson
Did not reply.
7. The current Denver Bicycle Master Plan was drafted in 1993 and updated in 2001.
As Mayor, would you task City staff to update the Bicycle Master Plan?
Jeff Peckman
Yes.
Chris Romer
The Denver Bicycle Master Plan is 10 years old now. It needs to be reviewed by a
working group of the relevant stakeholders from the bicycling community, business and
government. As Mayor I would appoint a Mayor’s Bicycling Advisory Committee to
begin work on reviewing and proposing changes to the Denver Bicycle Master Plan.
Theresa Spahn
The Bicycle Master Plan needs to be updated. We must see what has been accomplished, partner with nonprofit bicycle organizations and see what changes we need to make to fit the time we are in, especially as we work to implement a multi-modal transit system.
Thomas Wolf
Yes and I would be very hands on, and being familiar with some of the players
who were crucial in ’93, I would incorporate them again in the process, as well as
their children that I often see on the bike paths. M y main goal is connectivity and
leveraging existing right of ways. Here’s a whopper: I will remove the 16th street
mall buses and have them run in a circle on 15th and 17th, emancipating our urban
heart and soul for humans on wheels, bikes, Healy’s, skateboarders all welcome,
major transformation at no cost!
Carol Boigon
Did not reply.
Michael Hancock
Did not reply.
Doug Linkhart
Did not Reply.
Danny Lopez
Did not reply.
James Mejia
Did not reply.
Ken Simpson
Did not reply.
8. An effective bicycling program and network requires the collaboration and efforts of many City departments. Public works, Parks and Recreation, Denver Public Schools, Denver Police and many others play critical roles.
How will you foster a culture of collaboration between these departments to
accomplish a common goal of a bicycle-friendly city?
Jeff Peckman
I would take them all to a bicycle friendly city, and ride bicycles around it for a couple days, then have meetings about the issues outside of Denver. I would also get videos of the best bicycle cities made by agencies that promote this feature of their city. I would also have group bicycle trips around Denver with the top management in the departments and entities mentioned above, so they can experience the difference themselves between bicycle friendly and non-friendly cities.
Chris Romer
As an avid cyclist I intend to lead by example if I am elected Mayor. It’s important to let
the Department heads and other city leaders know that making Denver a more bicycle-friendly city will be a top priority of mine. Leaders are elected to lead and setting the
example is a critical first step.
Theresa Spahn
As mayor, I will create a bicycle task force made of community leaders and department heads to address our current and future bicycle needs. This task force will survey the current state of the Bicycle Master Plan and work to create recommendations for a bicycle-friendly city.
Thomas Wolf
Well, as Mayor I am the boss of 3 of the 4 you mention, so you agree a plan, execute
and quantify results. Basic leadership, long term vision paired with tactical moves.
Carol Boigon
Did not reply.
Michael Hancock
Did not reply.
Doug Linkhart
Did not Reply.
Danny Lopez
Did not reply.
James Mejia
Did not reply.
Ken Simpson
Did not reply.
9. As Mayor, will you adopt Mayor John Hickenlooper’s goal of a 10% bicycle transportation mode share by 2018?
Jeff Peckman
I will review the plan and organize either to achieve that goal, or move it up and expand it. This has to do with the bigger vision described in my “Denver Project” to transform Denver into a city that people and businesses will feel they need to be part of, just for the great experience of it.
Chris Romer
Yes, unequivocally yes.
Theresa Spahn
Yes, I will adopt Mayor Hickenlooper’ s goal of a 10% bike share. We must promote a
sustainable, multi-modal transportation system. That includes getting more bicycles on the road. At the same time, we must work to educate drivers about the laws surrounding bike lanes and work to educate bicyclers on the law and safe riding practices. We must also examine the maintenance of our bike paths, especially in the treacherous winter months. And, we must expand bike lanes wherever feasible!
Thomas Wolf
I am competitive, so I will take it higher faster.
Carol Boigon
Did not reply.
Michael Hancock
Did not reply.
Doug Linkhart
Did not Reply.
Danny Lopez
Did not reply.
James Mejia
Did not reply.
Ken Simpson
Did not reply.
10. Do you have a personal story about bicycling that you would like to share?
Jeff Peckman
I have a personal favorite story, just for inspiration. It’s about CIDA, a college in South Africa that has provided a world class education at almost no cost to thousands of the poorest youth in the country. I promoted CIDA starting in 1999, one year before it opened, and helped inspire a large donation. Oprah Winfrey also donated $1 million to the college in 2003.
Story as told by CIDA co-founder Taddy Blechert:
“We had some $10 bikes donated. In big races, people ride $1,000 or $10,000 bikes. One of our students got a map and a light…and (without our knowledge) bicycled 300 miles to compete in a race. He got lost, and was exhausted when the 100 kilometer race STARTED. He finished in the top ten, of seven thousand competitors, with a $10 bike. He had no money for lodging, so he immediately bicycled, day and night — his big trophy tucked in his shirt — the 300 miles home.”
Final comment: I understand why these questions are using different angles to gain support for bicycling in Denver. But I also know that the specific objectives of reducing pollution, obesity, school budgets, costs for working families, and keeping revenue in Denver, etc., can be met more cost-effectively by using other strategies.
West Denver is very bicycle unfriendly, and it is very difficult and risky to get east across the Platte River from here. The first dead person I ever saw was 45 years ago, when a neighborhood boy was lying on the street after being hit by a car on West Mississippi, one block from my house. Nothing has changed since then to make streets in this area more bicycle friendly.
Nevertheless, bicycling is one of my favorite activities, and I would do whatever possible to increase it in Denver. I just would not give disproportional importance to it to achieve the above objectives, if it is not the most productive and cost-effective way to achieve them.
Chris Romer
I am an avid cyclist and a member of BikeDenver so I have a very personal interest in
helping to make Denver a world leader in bicycling. I think that one of the most rewarding
experiences I have had with bicycling those was founding the Bailey HUNDO. It’s a 100
mile bike race in Bailey that started in 2010 with 200 participants and which raised $2,500 for the Colorado High School Cycling league.
Theresa Spahn
As an avid bike rider, I try to ride Lookout Mountain every weekend. I also love to ride the dirt trails on the Western Slope whenever possible.
Thomas Wolf
From now until late summer I lap Cherry Creek Reservoir about two days a week
at six in the morning with a group that isn’t all Clydesdales, hope to see you out
there.
Carol Boigon
Did not reply.
Michael Hancock
Did not reply.
Doug Linkhart
Did not Reply.
Danny Lopez
Did not reply.
James Mejia
Did not reply.
Ken Simpson
Did not reply.
Well, thanks to Mr Peckman, Mr Romer, Mr Wolf, and Ms Spahn for at least providing answers to the questions. Apparently the other candidates were too busy preparing to save us from the world to respond!
Yeah, great read! I appreciate the serious answers these candidates gave.
I wonder if Mr. Peckman is aware that the one person who can do something about issues like glass in the street, people throwing things at cyclists, and cars racing around streets thereby making streets more bike friendly and encouraging people to get out from behind the wheel is THE MAYOR. He seems to feel that these problems will always exist and are completely unaddressable. I wonder what he imagines being in charge of as mayor?
Maybe I’m just naive; maybe the simple task of changing the electromagnetic characteristics of the city/region will make more challenging tasks like street sweeping and enforcement of traffic code more achievable. I better go find my box of foil so I can help.