BikeABQ Candidate Survey
Mary Ingham
Bernalillo County Commissioner District 2
1. Do you bike in New Mexico? Describe your experience biking for transportation and/or recreation.
It has been many years since I have ridden a bicycle regularly, but I used to ride several miles to work at Carrie Tingley Hospital on the bike trail from Montgomery and Carlisle.
2. Describe your vision of a healthy, safe, equitable transportation system for the Greater Albuquerque Region and the roles walking, biking, and public transportation play in that vision.
I am very supportive of walking and biking trails throughout all areas that are clean, safe and inviting. As a Pediatric Physical Therapist, I am especially supportive of biking/triking clubs for children and adults with disabilities, like the group associated with Carrie Tingley Hospital. Public transportation is very important for many people, including those with mobility issues. The public bus system is considering reducing services to the far South Valley area in Bernalillo County District 2, where I live. I personally know many people who daily depend on those bus services for employment, health care and other services.
3. What are the biggest barriers to getting people to choose walking, biking, and public transit instead of personal vehicles for daily trips in Bernalillo County, and what would you do to address these impediments?
Long distances from major areas of the city, ie. from the far South Valley where we live. Person must have the ability to walk over a mile to and from the bus line, which will soon be 3 miles if forecasted changes are made. Improved parking and safety for vehicles at Railrunner stations in the South Valley might encourage ridership.
4. New Mexico consistently has the deadliest streets of any state in the US, with approximately 400 people killed by vehicles each year while walking, biking, or driving, and another 12,000 people injured. What should Bernalillo County do to improve traffic safety?
Focus on red light runners. Speeding cameras may be helping. Do more bike education for children and adults. DUI prevention and crack downs are always necessary.
5. Bernalillo County’s urban areas have limited space on streets. In order to increase safety and improve mobility, some modes of transportation must be prioritized over others to make the most of this limited space. Please rank how you would prioritize different modes of transportation on city streets, using numbers 1 through 7:
It depends on the area and the types of businesses, or homes that are present. Possibly make them multi-use, like freight and delivery with public transportation.