Incumbents are indicated with *
Candidates proceeding to the municipal election on November 5th are indicated with †
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Kenzie Bok†
(pdf of answers)
Jennifer Ann Nassour†
(no answers submitted)
About the Candidate |
1. How do you move around your community and get to where you need to go? |
2. What is a particularly dangerous problem or location in your community for people walking, biking, taking transit, or for people with disabilities that you'd like to see addressed? |
3. Why do you think people who care about walking, biking, transit, and mobility issues should vote for you? |
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Kenzie Bok |
I get almost everywhere by foot or on the MBTA (bus and subway). Working for the BHA, I perfected the art of getting to public housing all over the city via public transit alone. I take the T daily, and on many days I use 3-4 different subway lines. When leaving the city, I most often take the commuter rail to do so. I occasionally bike using BlueBikes, and on National Bike to Work day I tried the commute downtown from Roxbury Crossing. I don't own a car, haven't driven for many years, and work to limit my use of ride-hailing apps for only when no public transportation option is available. |
For pedestrians, I worry about long crosswalks with short crossing times, such as across Cambridge St and throughout the West End; these are particularly dangerous for our seniors. Unfortunately there are also many unsafe intersections for bicycles across District 8. I was proud to support BCU's recent protest against the unprotected new bike lanes installed by DCR where Paula Sharaga lost her life. Disembarking from the T at Mission Park is also unsafe, as is biking on South Huntington, as is crossing Fenway or Beacon St. We use all modes extensively in District 8 and have much work to do! |
I've been getting around the city on foot, by T, by bus, and by bicycle for my entire life, and I think of these types of travel as natural priorities for our urban community. Watching my own grandmother age in place, I've also become intensely aware of how important it is that we make the public realm safe for elderly pedestrians who must avoid fall risks. As a citizen, I've advocated to fix an unsafe crosswalk, successfully pushed to widen public sidewalks, and protested both the recent #UnfairHikes and the cancellation of late-night T in 2016. I will be a strong advocate for Vision Zero. |
Policy Proposals |
1. How will you ensure implementation of the infrastructure changes needed to slow traffic on your community's streets, and improve crosswalks and intersections to make them safer for people who are walking and using mobility assistive devices? |
2. How will you improve the reach, frequency, and quality of public transit in Boston? |
3. How will you ensure fast-tracked implementation of a city-wide network of off-street paths and protected bike lanes on major thoroughfares and connecting streets that are safe and comfortable for people of all ages and abilities? |
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Kenzie Bok |
I'll work with advocates to pinpoint the twenty (or more) most dangerous intersections from a Vision Zero perspective in District 8, and then will measure our office's success in part by how many of those places we're able to fix in the first 18 months. More systematically, however, during scrutiny of the capital budget I will gather information about how exactly the city is proactively integrating Vision Zero principles into every transportation-related design process, rather than simply reacting to major accidents. Where further pressure is needed, I will stand and bike and ride and walk with residents to publicly draw attention to unsafe crossings. I will speak up in favor of slower streets, and I will seek to hasten the pace with which we allocate funds for street-slowing. I have gotten a dangerous crosswalk fixed before, and I know that sustained attention to such matters by an elected official can make a real difference. I will also always use my voice in development to advocate for infrastructure changes to favor mode shift. When on the CAC for Back Bay Station, I joined with others to get guaranteed improvements for pedestrians, bikers, and MBTA riders added to the project. |
I have been repeatedly on the record objecting to reductions in MBTA service or increases in price; I spoke publicly in opposition when late-night T service was axed in 2016, and I participated in the #UnfairHikes protest on 6/30 and 7/1 of this year. As a city councilor, I would continue to speak forcefully on these fronts; we need major investment in the MBTA at a state level. Still, I would look to actively and demonstrably build neighborhood support for the Red-Blue Connector in District 8, in order to make clear that those most directly affected by the construction are still in favor of this key connection for our MBTA infrastructure. I also think that the city can act by using its power to convert more lanes of street traffic into rapid bus lanes, thereby speeding the commutes of many of Boston and the Boston area's lowest-paid workers. I believe that public transit creates social value far beyond every dollar we spend on it, and I would make such a case vociferously in favor of deep investment in the future of the T. Long term, in order to improve reach, frequency, and quality of public transit, I favor a more metro-regional governance & funding structure for the MBTA. |
I believe this work is essential; bikes and pedestrians are really only as safe as the weakest link in the network of paths provided to serve them. I would make it my business to know the entire scope of the network needed in District 8, and then would look for every opportunity to get more of that network built ASAP. When such work requires favoring uses of curb space other than parking, I will act as an ambassador within different civic communities to discuss why a city that has just reached 700,000 people for the first time since 1959 needs to think more creatively about how it uses the public space of the public street to move people around safely and efficiently. Throughout District 8, I would work with neighborhood associations to ensure that they are involved in the execution of new paths and protected bike lanes from the beginning, so that all stakeholders are maximally aware and supportive of such changes. Collaboration would also allow us to identify mutual interests, such as getting cyclists into a bicycle lane around the Public Garden and thus off pedestrian paths. I'd make it clear to all at City Hall that safe multi-modal transportation is deeply important to me. |
Additional Questions
Click on the categories below for the complete question asked. Click on any answer with a * for further explanation of the candidate's stance.
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Do you support: |
1. Vision Zero 1. Vision Zero is an approach which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries and has been adopted by Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, and many other cities across the country. Do you support the principles of Vision Zero policies and funding for their rapid implementation? click outside popup to close |
2. State law allowing automated enforcement 2. One key strategy that has been proven to effectively reduce speeding, improve safety, and remove racial bias in traffic enforcement in other states and countries is automated enforcement (i.e. speed cameras and red light cameras). Do you support S.1376, An Act relative to automated enforcement, which if passed would authorize cities and towns in Massachusetts to opt into the use of automated enforcement? To see the full text of the bill, visit malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S1376 click outside popup to close |
3. Bike Network Plan 3. Do you support the implementation of improved bike facilities identified in your community’s Bike Network Plan or do you support the creation of a Bike Network Plan if none already exists? click outside popup to close |
4. Age-friendly walking conditions 4. Do you support creating age-friendly walking conditions in your community -- an issue raised by many seniors as critical to their ability to 'age in community'? If yes, how? click outside popup to close |
(more below) |
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Kenzie Bok |
Strongly Support*
Kenzie BokI am deeply committed to the Vision Zero philosophy. Despite Boston's formal adoption of such an approach, I think we still have much to do to make Vision Zero a consistent priority here, rather than a crisis-response touch-point when we experience a bad accident. click outside popup to close |
Somewhat Support*
Kenzie BokI am broadly in favor of such a system for traffic enforcement, given our need for better and more consistent enforcement across the city, but I still want to know more about what checks would prevent the use of such cameras for undue surveillance. In Britain, where a very broad network of cameras have been successfully been used for traffic monitoring purposes, there is also a much more extensive surveillance state. So we need to balance two sets of concerns in any such legislation. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support*
Kenzie BokYes; as I stated above, we need to get these projects underway in order to achieve the effective, joined-up network that cyclists need. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support*
Kenzie BokEspecially in historic neighborhoods, we need to map accessible routes through our communities that help folks in scooters or wheelchairs to navigate our streets successfully. I've also noticed a recent uptick in the provision of benches across Boston, which is great for our seniors. And we need to provide good bike infrastructure in part so that seniors and cyclists are not sharing the same sidewalk pavement and risking falls/accidents. click outside popup to close |
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Do you support: |
5. Restriction of parking for bus-only lanes 5. Do you support the restriction of on-street parking during rush hour in order to create dedicated bus lanes on certain major thoroughfares where bus riders experience significant delays due to traffic congestion? click outside popup to close |
6. New revenue sources 6. Do you support exploring new ways of raising revenue to provide Boston with more tools to improve conditions for people walking, using mobility assistive devices, biking, and using public transit (e.g. increasing the gas tax, implementing congestion pricing, increasing fees on Uber/Lyft)? If yes, please give examples that interest you. click outside popup to close |
7. Dynamic parking meter pricing 7. Do you support the rollout of dynamic parking meter pricing in business districts, which would increase meter rates during periods of increased demand, to free up on-street parking and reduce cars "cruising" for open spaces? click outside popup to close |
8. Traffic signal timing that prioritizes people walking 8. Boston has many traffic signals that do not work well for pedestrians. Do you support making signal timing safer, easier, and more convenient for people walking and using mobility assistive devices at all paces? click outside popup to close |
(more below) |
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Kenzie Bok |
Strongly Support*
Kenzie BokWhen it comes to maximizing the movement of people through the city quickly and efficiently, dedicated bus lanes at rush hour is one of the easiest, most impactful interventions we could make. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support*
Kenzie BokOur fees on Uber/Lyft are some of the lowest in the country and don't incentivize the right behavior by these companies; they need to be higher. I also support exploring congestion pricing, paired with commuter rail improvements, as a way to reduce traffic. More than half the tailpipes in Boston on any given day are from outside the city, and Bostonians are paying not only in time lost to traffic, but also in reduced air quality for city residents. I also continue to hope that the Fair Share amendment will pass and help supply some new transportation funding. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support*
Kenzie BokI support such programs as a potential way to reduce cruising, with the caveat that they need to be implemented in ways that are sensitive to neighborhood context. For example, in Back Bay some meters in entirely residential areas became subject to the same rules as Newbury St ones. I also think that either the same higher dynamic rates need to be rolled out across the city, or else we should discuss Parking Benefits Districts that provide some dedicated funds to the immediate neighborhood in which the fees are differentially high. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support*
Kenzie BokI am consistently surprised by the number of signals we have that barely allocate enough time for a jogger to cross the road, much less an elder, and I also think there are a number of places where we should think about adding pedestrian-activated signals. click outside popup to close |
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Do you support: |
9. Charging for residential parking permits 9. Do you support charging an annual fee for residential parking permits? click outside popup to close |
10. Reducing/ eliminating MBTA fares 10. Do you support reducing or eliminating MBTA fares for people with low income? click outside popup to close |
11. Ensuring large-scale developments are walkable, resilient, green, and connected 11. Do you support ensuring large-scale developments (including Sullivan Square, the Allston I-90 Interchange, and Suffolk Downs) incorporate the community's desire for walkability, connectivity, open space, and resiliency? click outside popup to close |
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Kenzie Bok |
Strongly Support*
Kenzie BokOur surrounding communities charge a residential parking fee, and I think implementing such a fee could be a good way of discouraging large numbers of cars registered to the same address. It would also allow us to in some way register the value of our shared public curb space in the city of Boston, while making allowances for those for whom such fees would be a financial burden. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support*
Kenzie BokWe need to think of the MBTA like a true public good -- it benefits our whole society when residents can get to a job, or a school, or a new friend because of public transit. Furthermore, driving more folks to use public transit is key to addressing climate change. So yes, we should aspire to a system in which we are proud to provide transit mobility just as we are proud, in our public libraries, to provide free access to information. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support*
Kenzie BokAs mentioned above, I have pushed for these types of mobility-related changes as a Community Advisory Committee member for large development projects in the past, and I would make such considerations a strong priority for any project I scrutinized as a city councilor. click outside popup to close |
About the Candidate
Policy Proposals
Additional Questions
I am deeply committed to the Vision Zero philosophy. Despite Boston's formal adoption of such an approach, I think we still have much to do to make Vision Zero a consistent priority here, rather than a crisis-response touch-point when we experience a bad accident.
I am broadly in favor of such a system for traffic enforcement, given our need for better and more consistent enforcement across the city, but I still want to know more about what checks would prevent the use of such cameras for undue surveillance. In Britain, where a very broad network of cameras have been successfully been used for traffic monitoring purposes, there is also a much more extensive surveillance state. So we need to balance two sets of concerns in any such legislation.
Yes; as I stated above, we need to get these projects underway in order to achieve the effective, joined-up network that cyclists need.
Especially in historic neighborhoods, we need to map accessible routes through our communities that help folks in scooters or wheelchairs to navigate our streets successfully. I've also noticed a recent uptick in the provision of benches across Boston, which is great for our seniors. And we need to provide good bike infrastructure in part so that seniors and cyclists are not sharing the same sidewalk pavement and risking falls/accidents.
When it comes to maximizing the movement of people through the city quickly and efficiently, dedicated bus lanes at rush hour is one of the easiest, most impactful interventions we could make.
Our fees on Uber/Lyft are some of the lowest in the country and don't incentivize the right behavior by these companies; they need to be higher. I also support exploring congestion pricing, paired with commuter rail improvements, as a way to reduce traffic. More than half the tailpipes in Boston on any given day are from outside the city, and Bostonians are paying not only in time lost to traffic, but also in reduced air quality for city residents. I also continue to hope that the Fair Share amendment will pass and help supply some new transportation funding.
I support such programs as a potential way to reduce cruising, with the caveat that they need to be implemented in ways that are sensitive to neighborhood context. For example, in Back Bay some meters in entirely residential areas became subject to the same rules as Newbury St ones. I also think that either the same higher dynamic rates need to be rolled out across the city, or else we should discuss Parking Benefits Districts that provide some dedicated funds to the immediate neighborhood in which the fees are differentially high.
I am consistently surprised by the number of signals we have that barely allocate enough time for a jogger to cross the road, much less an elder, and I also think there are a number of places where we should think about adding pedestrian-activated signals.
Our surrounding communities charge a residential parking fee, and I think implementing such a fee could be a good way of discouraging large numbers of cars registered to the same address. It would also allow us to in some way register the value of our shared public curb space in the city of Boston, while making allowances for those for whom such fees would be a financial burden.
We need to think of the MBTA like a true public good -- it benefits our whole society when residents can get to a job, or a school, or a new friend because of public transit. Furthermore, driving more folks to use public transit is key to addressing climate change. So yes, we should aspire to a system in which we are proud to provide transit mobility just as we are proud, in our public libraries, to provide free access to information.
As mentioned above, I have pushed for these types of mobility-related changes as a Community Advisory Committee member for large development projects in the past, and I would make such considerations a strong priority for any project I scrutinized as a city councilor.