Thanks to Bike Miami Days friend, Mr. Dario Gonzalez, for sharing with us interviews that he had with three candidates for the two open City of Miami Commission seats.The Special Election for Districts 1 and 5 is today. We encourage all eligible to vote.
The candidates who took the time to meet with Mr. Gonzalez by phone yesterday: David Chiverton and Erica Wright (District 5) and William Gort (District 1). Each candidate was interviewed separately but were asked the same 5 questions. We cannot say if all candidates had the same opportunity to participate. Only District 5 has co-hosted a Bike Miami Day in the past.
Question: Many residents in your district do not feel safe bicycling to work / school. How would your make them feel more safe engaging in these activities?
Chiverton: I would pursue capital improvements, bike paths should be put in.
Gort: I would up grade police and mace certain that bike paths are put in around the City. I want residents to become more active in their neighborhoods.
Wright: It takes special people to bicycle in Miami. I know pedestrians need smooth sidewalks and bicyclists need special consideration from drivers. We also need better parking for bicyclists.
Question: City of Miami has a Bicycle Master Plan, its first ever. How do you plan to implement that?
Chiverton: We have to look at the [economic] reality of where things are right now. Capital dollars are immediately available for implementation.
Gort: Right now we have too many master plans. The real question is: Where is the funding for the Master Plan? I’ll have to look into the source and amount of funding available.
Wright: I am not that familiar with the Bicycle Master Plan but I do know that the Miami River Greenway is part of it.
Question: Do you support Miami 21? Why or why not? What parts do you support?
Chiverton: I am not in support of Miami 21 in the current context. The impact on residential areas is not sufficiently considered, for instance, traffic. We can’t have a universal plan which has the same expectations of both commercial and residential development. I like what Miami 21 requires for development in existing commercial areas.
Gort: I support the implementation of Miami 21 in all parts of the City. I think there are problems with it, in particular, parking in the rear of structures.
Wright: I am not that familiar with all portions of Miami 21. I am in favor of incentives to developers when they donate land for public use, such as parks.
Question: A Bike Miami Day is scheduled in April. Will you attend?
Chiverton: I helped sponsor a ride 2 years ago to bridge the economic gap between people in the City, riding from Liberty City to Legion Park. I accept the invitation to attend April’s event and look forward to supporting the event.
Gort: I love all outdoor activities and I am a cyclist. This program is important. I want to bring this program to all neighborhoods of the City.
Wright: I would like to attend but I don’t know that much about Bike Miami Days. I know that emergency personnel can be expensive, even when the City waives the fees.
Question: Do you have a message for the Bicycling / pedestrian community?
Chiverton: The Bike/Ped. Community has done a great job in the past 18 months. As commissioner, I will support the effort.
Gort: I want to bring bicycling and pedestrian activities to all neighborhoods of Miami.
Wright: I would love a city where people feel comfortable biking and walking; “it’s the hallmark of great cities.”
Ride Better. Ride Safer. Ride Smarter and More Comfortably. 
