Candidates
*incumbent
Click here for PDF of City Councilor Matt O'Malley's responses.
Sections
About the Candidates
Do you personally walk to destinations in your community? If yes, how often do you do so?
| Matt O’Malley |
|---|
| Yes |
| I typically walk/run an hour or so each day. |
Do you personally travel by/ use public transit to get around? If yes, which trains and buses do you routinely use?
| Matt O’Malley |
|---|
| Yes |
| Occasionally, I take the Orange line, Green E line, and/or 38, 39, 51 bus routes. |
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?
| Matt O’Malley |
|---|
| No |
| I am more of a walker/jogger than biker, but I would certainly be willing to bike periodically. |
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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?
| Matt O’Malley |
|---|
| I am a strong proponent of fully funding planning and infrastructure for multi-model transportation routes. Along with Councilor Campbell, I held a hearing and working session on Vision Zero last winter and spring and helped spur faster action. Additionally, I successfully lobbied for an increase in funding in the FY18 budget. |
How will you improve the reach, frequency, and quality of public transit in your city/town?
| Matt O’Malley |
|---|
| Funding is key. I was a vocal advocate for Governor Patrick’s 2012 transportation bond bill which, if passed, would have resulted in a $5B increase in MBTA funding and expansion. While I am disappointed that it failed, I certainly feel hopeful that the Millionaire’s tax will pass in 2018 which would help fund public education and transportation. Moreover, I co-sponosred a resolution with Councilor Wu that calls for extending the Green line to Canary Square and will continue to push for expansion of service, hours, and reach. Funding and expanding public transportation (particularly extension of the commuter rail into Gateway cities) would be transformative. Beacon Hill must act (and City Hall must push)! |
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?
| Matt O’Malley |
|---|
| Again, it comes down to funding and the political will. We need to leverage public/private partnerships for funding and planning (a la Boston Landing) as we look to increase and fully develop a multi-model transportation network. We need to advocate for public funding as well, and work in concert with the myriad city and agencies for well thought out planning and execution; and, we need to work quickly and efficiently. We need to extoll the public benefits and public health associated with biking infrastructure and continue to build support. |
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?
| Matt O’Malley |
|---|
| I helped bring Hubway to Jamaica Plain and will soon be bringing it to Roslindale and West Roxbury. Obviously the biggest obstacle to encouraging more ridership is the safety issue. I am committed to building safe biking infrastructure for people from 8–80 [and even those a bit older ;)]. |
How will you increase funding for biking infrastructure?
| Matt O’Malley |
|---|
| see questions 1, 2, and 3. |
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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?
| Matt O’Malley |
|---|
| No |
| I’m undecided on this issue. |
Do you support redesigning space on the street in order to improve safety for people biking by creating protected bike lanes?
| Matt O’Malley |
|---|
| Yes |
| Where warranted, certainly. Of course, there would be exceptions to this. |
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?
| Matt O’Malley |
|---|
| Yes |
| Where warranted, certainly. Of course, there would be exceptions to this. |
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?
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?
| Matt O’Malley |
|---|
| Yes |
| I walk my district several times a week and work closely with seniors, the elderly commission, and DPW to address these issues and will continue to do so. Moreover, I hold quarterly senior coffees, office hours, and town halls for these very issues and will continue to partner with organizations like the YMCA to promote health and accessibility for all. |
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?
| Matt O’Malley |
|---|
| No |
| Again, this is a policy that I would support in many circumstances, but not all. |
Do you support the creation of a staff position within the Transportation Department solely devoted to managing transit in the City of Boston?
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.
| Matt O’Malley |
|---|
| No |
| I support exploring new revenue streams and am certainly open to new ideas, but I cannot commit to supporting a hypothetical. |
Do you support charging an annual fee for residential parking permits?
| Matt O’Malley |
|---|
| No |
| Generally, no, but I would certainly consider a fee for a third (or higher) parking permit per household. |
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?
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?
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