Below is 2017 Pasadena City Council District 7 Candidate Alejandro Menchaca’s full questionnaire response to Bike The Vote L.A.:

1. What future do you see for active mobility and public transit in the daily lives of those who live, work, and go to school in Pasadena?

One of my campaign’s central tenets is Walkability. I live in the heart of the South Lake Avenue District and regularly walk, but options can be limited. I want to revitalize the business core and the District at large by enhancing the Walkability of the District such that people can live, bike, dine, play and work in Pasadena. This will reduce our carbon footprint, grow business, increase property values and reduce traffic congestion. As biking and walking are key to creating a more thriving Pasadena, I support the Complete Streets initiatives, help create a protected bike network that connects businesses, schools, parks, and installing creative Wayfinding Signs.

2. Pasadena’s traffic is compounded by the reality that many parents and workers don’t feel safe commuting even short distances or performing school drop-offs on foot or by bike. What would you do as Councilmember to improve active transportation options around schools, public transit, and in commercial districts to provide better transportation options for District 7 residents?

As set forth above, work to map out a Protected Bike Network that includes schools. Also, I would analyze traffic calming measures nearby schools.

3. If elected, what would you do to reduce preventable, serious and fatal traffic collisions in the City of Pasadena? Would you support the implementation of a local Vision Zero policy?

Yes, I support it. We must explore various traffic calming measures, and exploring making streets more “skinny” and other measures while also ascertaining their impacts on traffic congestion.

4. Over the past 3 years, Pasadena Playhouse District members, City staff, and local residents have worked on planning the Playhouse Parklets Pilot (www.playhouseparklets.org/). In the coming few months, a final decision will be made by the Council whether to move forward with implementing the pilot project, which would install the city’s first parklets, add reverse angled parking to the district, calm traffic, and improve street safety. Do you support implementation of the Colorado Blvd parklets pilot in the Playhouse District? Why or why not?

Yes, I support this Parklets Project. Some folks have expressed concerns that this will have an catastrophic effect on traffic or tie up traffic along Green and Union. The concept of induced demand holds that this will likely have the opposite effect. In cities that have lost major thoroughfares, the impact on nearby streets has been far less than imagined and in many instances, the traffic simply disappeared. The Parklets will help create a cultural core bringing together the Playhouse, the Lamelees Theater and Vromans and enhance walkability.

5. Bike share systems have started to be installed across Los Angeles County and are slated to expand to Pasadena, but as systems expand, experts foresee three major obstacles: stations that are discontinuous/too far apart, stations with unsafe walking conditions that limit access, and systems that are out of reach for low-income residents. What areas would you like to see bike share expanded to in and around Pasadena, and what should the City be doing to make these systems more accessible, affordable, and useful to all Pasadena residents?

DTLA has done a great job of seeking the input of Residents when it comes to the expansion of bike lanes and the expansion of green space. They often hosts festivals or online surveys polls. I would do the same and ask Pasadena residents where they would like to see these Bike Share systems installed and gather said data. Yes, my concern is that most of these systems will be installed south of the 210 in more affluent areas and such systems should also be installed north of the 210 where obesity disproportionately affects minority communities.

6. Pasadena’s local transit provider, Pasadena Transit, suffers from limited service, especially on weekends and evenings. Do you support improving Pasadena Transit headways and service to provide local residents with more viable transit options in the City? What methods can the City employ to fund better service?

I would certainly explore such an expansion, but I also explore and support a shuttle service that takes Pasadena residents directly to various points of interest in the City.