2016 State Assembly District 19 Candidate Phil Ting

Candidate Facts

S19PT Ting 038 crop    Name: Phil Ting
   Campaign Website: www.philting.com

Candidate Questionnaire

All official candidates were contacted and given the opportunity to answer our Candidate Questionnaire. Any candidate responses edited for length and clarity have been marked as such.

1. Do you ride a bicycle in the city or in Sacramento?

Yes

If “Yes,” how often do you ride and for what purpose(s)?

I ride some in San Francisco, but I ride more in Sacramento because it’s flatter. I find it to be a good way to both commute to and from the Capitol from my Sacramento residence as well as to attend meetings and events around the city.

2. One of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition’s top state legislative priorities is Automated Speed Enforcement, recognizing that speed is the top factor in traffic collision fatalities in San Francisco. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has passed a resolution in support of ASE and it is the SF Municipal Transportation Agency’s top legislative priority in Sacramento. Do you support legislation that would authorize the use of ASE as a pilot in San Francisco?

Yes

If “Yes,” would you sponsor this bill and why? If “No,” what change would make you consider supporting such legislation?

I have had several conversations with organizations such as yourself and WalkSF about possible ASE legislation. I remain open to the possibility of sponsoring such legislation, but we will need to continue to work together to address serious concerns related to technological integrity, privacy of our citizens and due process that are critical when implementing automated traffic enforcement.

3. Our City has embraced and adopted Vision Zero, the goal to eliminate all fatalities and serious injuries on our streets by 2024. Do you support Vision Zero? 

Yes

If “Yes,” the city has yet to make significant progress since the introduction of Vision Zero in 2014. In fact, fatalities are on the rise. What would you do as State Assemblymember to help the city achieve Vision Zero?

In 2013, I authored and passed AB 707, which increases speed warning signage around senior centers, helping to protect an especially vulnerable population of pedestrians. Additionally, I am a co-author of this year’s AB 1677, which would develop standards for inspections that would ensure that the tour buses that roam our city’s streets are in safe working order. After the unfortunate death of a city worker in front of City Hall and the injury of several pedestrians near Union Square by a runaway tour bus, these inspection regimens are desperately needed. This bill is currently in the State Senate. [RESPONSE TRUNCATED]

4. The draft California Transportation Plan 2040 calls for a doubling of bicycling statewide. Caltrans has committed to tripling bicycle mode share from 1.5% to 4.5% by 2020. As State Assemblymember, would you support increasing bicycle trips in California? 

Yes

If “Yes,” what would you do as State Assemblymember to help grow the number of people biking statewide?

I am proud of my legislative record supporting making bicycling easier and safer in California. In 2014, I authored and passed AB 1193, which provides for Caltrans to work with localities to design and build separated and protected bike lanes. And last year, I co-authored and passed AB 40, ensuring that bicyclists and pedestrians will not be charged tolls to cross our state’s bridges.

5. California’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund has been used to fund bicycle projects with the goal of reducing state greenhouse gas emissions. Do you support increased allocation and funding for bike projects? 

Yes

If “Yes,” what funding opportunities do you see at the state level to get bicycle projects on the ground?

I believe that we should continue to use GGRF funds for bike projects, if the fund can be made sufficiently stable. The Legislature is currently working on a comprehensive transportation package, and I am working with colleagues to include funds for cycling projects.

6. The California Air Resources Board recently included bike share in its Car Sharing and Mobility Options pilot program, opening up funding opportunities to expand bike share in low-income areas. Do you support the expansion of bike share and other bicycle infrastructure into low-income areas?

Yes

If “Yes,” how would you address low-income areas’ transportation needs as State Assemblymember?

San Francisco has seen a rapid recent increase in bike sharing stations throughout the city. We need to incentivize the expansion of these stations into low-income areas and to subsidize bike share membership to make it free or at least affordable for all.

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