As a public service, BikeNewark issued a bicycle-related survey to the candidates for the upcoming Newark Mayor and City Council election.
All candidates were given the opportunity to weigh in on seven specific items related to their policy positions, knowledge, and experience. The survey items and links to candidates’ responses (where applicable) follow.
The election for Mayor and Council Districts 1, 2, and 4 will be on Tuesday, April 9.
Survey Items
- In countless published lists of the best places to live, a common characteristic is a vibrant walking and biking culture. Why do you think that is?
- Do you consider Newark a walkable, bikeable community? Why or why not? If yes, how do you plan to sustain this? If not, what can be done to make our city more walkable and bikeable?
- What do you see as the opportunities for bicycling to make a positive impact in Newark? What do you see as the problems associated with bicycling in Newark?
- What are your ideas (if any) for how to improve the bicycling experience in Newark for occasional cyclists, bicycle commuters, recreational cyclists, and avid (very experienced) cyclists? (Please be as specific as you can for each group mentioned.)
- If elected, what criteria will you apply in order to decide whether to support a major road project (like the Main St. rehabilitation or the Cleveland Ave. improvements)? What about for small road projects (e.g., addition of bike lanes, low-stress bike-route signage, or crosswalks)?
- Are you familiar with the 2014 Newark Bicycle Plan? If so, what do you think are its most important recommendations?
- Briefly describe your experience as a bicyclist (if any) over your lifetime and specifically in Newark.
Candidates’ Responses
Mayor:
Catherine Ciferni (response received five days after deadline)
Jerry Clifton
Brandon Joseph Farzad
Kasai Guthrie
District 1:
James Joseph Horning Jr.
Mark Morehead
District 2:
Sharon Hughes (no response)
Maria A. Ruckle (no response)
District 4:
Christopher J. Hamilton (unopposed, no response)
BikeNewark 