Candidate Questionnaire
District 1 Candidate Responses
District 3 Candidate Responses
At Large Candidate Responses

1. What is your #1 priority to improve pedestrian safety and access in your district?

Alex Miller-Cole

My number one priority in District 3 would be to keep sidewalks safe and clean, and to bring attention to dangerous intersections so that they can be both improved and more pedestrian-friendly.

Derrick H. Muhammad

I would like to continue upon the good work that was done in my district at the intersection of 18th and Adeline.  The difference in that intersection is like night and day.  I would join forces with the existing coalitions, members of the City’s Commission on Persons with Disabilities, Commission on Aging, and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.  Pedestrian safety goes directly towards quality of life issues.  In addition to improving the walkways in the district, I would like to look at perhaps mirroring the study performed in China Town on Pedestrian safety in West Oakland.  The fruit from that study may be just as viable towards narrowing in on the safety issues in the West Oakland areas.

Sean Sullivan

The number one priority in pedestrian safety is to alleviate traffic where pedestrians are most present. We cannot continue to allow speeding cars through high foot traffic areas. By creating “scramble systems” (traditional and diagonal crosswalks, along with timed lights)  at crosswalks Downtown and near the Lake, I will prioritize pedestrian safety.

2.  What is your #1 priority to improve bicycle safety and access in your district?

Alex Miller-Cole

My number one priority would be to increase the number of dedicated bike lanes in District 3, as well as raise awareness about the need to expand Oakland’s overall bicycle network.

Derrick H. Muhammad

Oakland has the 6th highest use of bicycles in the nation.  With more people taking to their bicycles, safety is not only important; this too is a quality of life issue.  On November 6th, I will vote to for the reauthorization of Measure B-1.  We need to continue and I would support the work of putting paint on the ground to make vehicles aware of the designated bicycle lanes.  Work has been done on improving our streets, but more has to be done.  A better use of city funds with respect to our streets is to make sure our streets area properly maintained versus spending more money to rehabilitate them.  Thus far the City has filled in over 10,320 pot holes which are unsafe for cars as well as bicyclist. A quick priority is removing unused rail spurs at railroad crossing.  I realize this is on the list for implemented actions, expediting this would decrease incidents.

Sean Sullivan

I am an avid cyclist and bike to work myself. I will champion the bicycle master plan to make bicycling a safe and convenient option for commuters and for recreation. I am a strong advocate of bike lanes on 14^th and through Chinatown and will work to build consensus for implementing them.

3. WOBO has long supported a connected bike route connecting Berkeley, Downtown/Lake Merritt to West Oakland and through East Oakland to San Leandro.  What parts of that route will you help implement as Councilmember?

Alex Miller-Cole

While my district falls in the Downtown/Lake Merritt to West Oakland area, I would work diligently to make sure that the whole bike route was safe, connected, and continuous.

Derrick H. Muhammad

If I am privileged to gain the support of District 3 voters, I’m going to work with the representatives from all of the Districts, the City of Oakland’s agencies and task force, the community based organizations and all interested parties connect Oakland through bike routes.  We need to complete the 218 miles of Oakland’s Bicycle Network.  Having more of our citizen’s exercising by riding their bike is good for their health and especially for our youth in combating obesity.  As mentioned, Oakland is 6th in the nation for those using their bicycles.  If properly situated more of our residents will get out of their cars, and make it a way of life to use their bikes for shopping, dining, recreation, etc.  Accessibility and availability is what is preventing this from occurring.  I will support those existing coalitions and my fellow city leaders to help implement all facets of the city-wide bicycle connections.  I will commit to being an active resource with respect to the City’s West Oakland Specific Plan and the West Oakland’s Opportunity Area.

Sean Sullivan

I am a strong advocate for a connected bike route. Connections in West Oakland are critical to having access by bike throughout the City. I will work specifically to fill in the gaps on Market Street, San Pablo Avenue and 14th Street.  I have also been a part of the Broadway-Valdez planning committee to redesign Broadway, and bike routes are key priority of mine there.  In terms of routes to Lake Merritt, the connection to the Lake is already there, but we still need the 8th and 9th street lanes to connect to the Lake.

Please add any other comments (100 word limit) after responding to the questions above.  

Alex Miller-Cole

I’m a big fan of walking and biking in Oakland. I want all of Oakland’s residents to be able to enjoy the City on foot or by bicycle! I feel that an additional key item for both pedestrian and biking plans is to increase the number of clearly marked signs so as to increase overall awareness.

As City Councilmember, I would look forward to collaborating with WOBO and its members to help further develop Oakland’s bicycle and pedestrian plans.

Sean Sullivan

I am committed to creating thriving, sustainable neighborhoods that make Oakland a more green, bikeable, and walkable city. I don’t just talk the talk, I bike to work and have for years. As your Councilmember, I will champion more bike-to-work routes, housing and commercial development around BART stations, and pedestrian plazas and bulb outs. I want to create 20 minute neighborhoods where everyone can access food, jobs and services within 20 minutes of their door – reducing our carbon footprint.  District 3 is one of our densest neighborhoods and has some of the highest biking and walking rates in the City and I will be a champion for safe pedestrian and bicycle access.