1. Do you bike in New Mexico? Describe your experience biking for transportation and/or recreation.
I own a bike; however, I am not a regular bicyclist. This is for many reasons, primarily time. As you may know we are unpaid legislature, so we all work another job, or own a business, as I do, which keeps us busy. When I have time, I like to ride along the bosque. My district, essentially the southern portion of Bernalillo County is half incorporated and half unincorporated land, which lends itself to biking when I and my neighbors have time. I have engaged with one neighbor in particular, that lives on the southwest mesa, and he has been a great advocate for your goals. He has reached out to me and other area elected officials.
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.
We need better access and safety measures that will promote biking, walking, and areas for sharing our open spaces. Your web site homepage has a statement that should be a guide for all public policy elected officials “Working to make bicycling in Albuquerque a safe, enjoyable and convenient mobility option for all!” The website shares a lot of my vision as well. I also share in the themes of your Mission and History statement.
3. What are the biggest barriers to getting people to choose walking, biking, and public transit instead of personal vehicles for daily trips, and what would you do to address these impediments?
I believe this is a challenge due to safety, and inconsistent roadways. If you cannot plan an entire route due to inconsistencies in topography or access points, it makes it hard for a community to make biking, walking, and public transit a way of life. It would be my goal to make all new projects include biking, walking, and public transit accessible, while we rebuild existing access points.
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 New Mexico, and in particular the New Mexico Department of Transportation, do to improve traffic safety?
Along with my other statements, projects should have safety and consistent access built into the planning process. When I pulled together $124M for the Rio Bravo Bridge replacement and $46M for the replacement of Isleta Boulevard, I told NM DOT and Bernalillo County that I would not be able to get the funds needed unless pedestrian, bilking, walking, and animal safety were part of the planning process and built into the plan.
5. The New Mexico DOT is currently pursuing a pair of projects related to Interstate 25, following the South I-25 Corridor Study that calls for the widening of Interstate 25 in Albuquerque from Sunport to the Big I, to 8 lanes from the current 6. Do you support urban freeway widenings, or how would you prefer NMDOT enhance transportation options in this corridor?
When project of this nature are proposed, I always look at them from the lenses of safe access for biking, walking, and in my district, animal access. In my capacity as a member of the Senate Finance Committee, and as a Special Standing Committee member of Legislative Finance Committee, I will keep this top of mind for future projects.