1. Do you bike in New Mexico? Describe your experience biking for transportation and/or recreation.
I do not but I have many family members and constituents who do on a daily basis.
2. Describe your vision of a healthy, safe, equitable transportation system for the Greater Albuquerque Region and the roles walking, biking, and public transportation play in that vision.
I love to walk and look for connectivity in neighborhoods that walking, biking or public transportation is used to reach grocery stores, entertainment and work sites.
3. What are the biggest barriers to getting people to choose walking, biking, and public transit instead of personal vehicles for daily trips, and what would you do to address these impediments?
Culture is a big barrier and living in a large State with a low population. This makes basic access far away and not enough population for government to invest in public transportation.
Developing walking, bike paths as well as access to public transportation that are filled with opportunities to engage in commerce and community. I also encourage carpooling with my own family and colleagues in the Legislator. Many of us carpool to the various sites around the State to Interim Committee Meetings.
4. New Mexico consistently has the deadliest streets of any state in the US, with approximately 400 people killed by vehicles each year while walking, biking, or driving, and another 12,000 people injured. What should New Mexico, and in particular the New Mexico Department of Transportation, do to improve traffic safety?
I think New Mexico needs to invest more in Behavior health programs and facilities. I would like to see the ART, on Central Ave be free to everyone. They city decided(I did not agree) to invest in mass transportation only on Central Ave in the ABQ area. Then if you live within biking or walking distance to Central you should be able to take the bus for free, to grocery shop, doctor's appointments and employment no matter if you live. This should run from 98th street to Juan Tabo. The city should still continue to invest in connectivity of bike and pedestrian paths. So should the neighboring areas such as Rio Rancho, Belen, Los Cruces, and the Town of Bernalillo.
5. The New Mexico DOT is currently pursuing a pair of projects related to Interstate 25, following the South I-25 Corridor Study that calls for the widening of Interstate 25 in Albuquerque from Sunport to the Big I, to 8 lanes from the current 6. Do you support urban freeway widenings, or how would you prefer NMDOT enhance transportation options in this corridor?
I would rather see a train or shuttle to existing train that brings people who are traveling to Downtown or the university area from the airport. These trains that are used in congested areas have worked very well in Denver, despite it is a western State that has a strong driving culture.
I would like to see a "Moon Shot" project just as a tri state train. A passenger train from El Paso to Denver. This could bring economic investments and tie all 3 airports.