Candidates
*incumbent
Sections
About the Candidates
Do you personally walk to destinations in your community? If yes, how often do you do so?
Do you personally travel by/ use public transit to get around? If yes, which trains and buses do you routinely use?
Do you personally bike in your community or commute by bike to other communities? If no, would you be willing to give it a try periodically, e.g. once or twice per month?
| Tim McCarthy |
|---|
| Yes |
| I bike for excercise |
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Policy Proposals
How will you work to establish funding for 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?
| Tim McCarthy |
|---|
| As a member of the Basic City Services Team since 1993 I am very well aware of the issues regarding traffic, safety and sharing the road. My record will show I have advocated for funding for Vision zero and will continue to work diligently on these issues. |
How will you improve the reach, frequency, and quality of public transit in your city/town?
| Tim McCarthy |
|---|
| As a Boston City councilor I will continue to advocate, as an elected official as well as a citizen, but this is the jurisdiction of State Government. |
How will you ensure fast-tracked implementation of a city-/town-wide network of off-street paths and protected bike lanes* on major thoroughfares and connecting streets that are comfortable for people of all ages and abilities?
| Tim McCarthy |
|---|
| I do agree that moving forward with improvements for bikers, walkers runners and vehicles is important. I have to say that the word “fast track” concerns me greatly. The safety and well being of Boston citizens should be well designed and thought through in it’s entirety. |
How will you increase access to biking in every neighborhood equally? What do you see as the major obstacles to encouraging ridership, and how will you address them?
| Tim McCarthy |
|---|
| I will continue to work in partnership with the many bike advocates in my district for example Mattapan on Wheels. As a former Public Works employee, as you know, is made up of cow paths and not well designed grids. There may be areas that it will be difficult to implement safe access to non motorized vehicles. |
How will you increase funding for biking infrastructure?
| Tim McCarthy |
|---|
| I will work with the Transportation Department through the budget process and ensure that the advocates voices will be heard. |
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Yes/No Questions
Do you support the adoption of Vision Zero and funding for its rapid implementation? Vision Zero is an approach which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030 and has been adopted by several communities, including Boston and Cambridge.
Do you support lowering design speeds through traffic calming measures on downtown and neighborhood streets as a means of enhancing the safety of people walking, using mobility assistive devices, biking, and driving? This may involve the expansion and enhancement of programs like Neighborhood Slow Streets (Boston) and Neighborways (Somerville).
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 state legislation that authorizes the use of automated enforcement in Massachusetts, per the July 2017 recommendation of the National Transportation Safety Board?
Do you support redesigning space on the street in order to improve safety for people biking by creating protected bike lanes?
| Tim McCarthy |
|---|
| Yes |
| On a location by location basis. |
Do you support the increased use of curb extensions to improve safety and visibility at intersections, even if it requires the removal of one to two parking spaces?
Do you support implementation of all of the Better Bike Corridors and other bike projects in the Go Boston 2030 Plan, and commit to making sure all short-term projects are planned and implemented within three years, and long-term projects are implemented by or before 2030?
| Tim McCarthy |
|---|
| No |
| I will continue to support projects that advocate for cyclists, but, I can’t commit to projects that I have not reviewed and not had community process. |
Will you address age-friendly walking in your community — an issue raised by many seniors as critical to their ability to “age in community”? If yes, how?
Boston has many traffic signals that do not work well for pedestrians. Will you work to make signal timing safer, easier, and more convenient for people walking and using mobility assistive devices at all paces?
Do you support the restriction of on-street parking during rush hour on major thoroughfares in order to provide lanes for the exclusive use of buses?
Do you support the creation of a staff position within the Transportation Department solely devoted to managing transit in the City of Boston?
| Tim McCarthy |
|---|
| No |
| I don’t understand the question |
Do you support exploring new ways of raising revenue to provide the City of Boston with more tools to improve conditions for people walking, using mobility assistive devices, and biking (e.g. congestion pricing)? If yes, please give examples that interest you.
Do you support charging an annual fee for residential parking permits?
Do you support the rollout of dynamic parking meter pricing (i.e. increasing meter rates during periods of increased demand) in business districts to free up on-street parking and reduce cars “cruising”� for open spaces?
| Tim McCarthy |
|---|
| No |
| From what I understand BTD just eliminated this program because it wasn’t showing positive results. |
Will you help the community of Charlestown work with the City to develop a consensus design for Rutherford Ave and Sullivan Square that balances the community’s desire for walkability, connectivity, open space and resiliency with vehicular traffic?
| Tim McCarthy |
|---|
| No |
| Not my district |