The Case For the Connecting Durham Bonds

Resources for early voting 

• You can vote at any early voting location in your county any day through November 2nd. See locations and hours here. 

• You can register to vote or update your registration when voting at these locations.

• As a reminder, you’ll be asked to show photo ID this year. However, if you don’t have photo ID you can still vote! You’ll just need to fill out an “ID Exception Form” when voting. Here’s some information about voting with or without photo ID: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id

Early voting is underway and we urge you to get out and vote yes for both Connecting Durham bonds on the back of the ballot - one for sidewalks and streets and one for parks.

This Spring, Bike Durham members advocated for the Council to put a referendum on the ballot to fund greater investment in sidewalks, bicycle facilities, and traffic calming. Since then, we have been teaming with the members of the Connecting Durham Campaign Committee, including Council members Caballero and Rist to inform Durham residents about the benefits that both the sidewalk and street bond referendum and the parks bond referendum will bring to Durham.

We feel strongly that these bond referenda are the right choice for the residents of Durham. Here’s why:

These projects match our values

Whether a long-time resident of Northeast Central Durham or a new resident near Southpoint, whether a worker at Duke Medical Center or in a restaurant kitchen, Durham residents have consistently said that improving our sidewalks, streets, and public transit system are among their top five priorities for investment (2022 resident survey, page viii). Most of us want a Durham that is inclusive and thriving. That requires a transportation system that works for everyone, whether walking, biking, using transit, or in a car. And we can have that by building and maintaining complete networks of sidewalks, protected bike facilities, safe streets, and great transit.

We have been held back from having the transportation system that we want and deserve because past leaders at the local level did not and current leadership of the General Assembly do not share our values. Developers were not required to build sidewalks until the mid-1990’s, and our General Assembly passed a law in 2013 forbidding the spending of state transportation funds on stand-alone sidewalks and bicycle infrastructure (article by Center for American Progress).

The sidewalk projects that have been identified for completion with these bond funds are key links in this network. They have been clearly identified and prioritized, and are ready for construction. The maintenance projects have been prioritized through recent assessments of street and sidewalk pavement conditions, and a Council commitment to pave all gravel roads. You can see the projects on a map here and you can read more detail about the new sidewalk projects here.

The parks projects were identified through the City’s Splash & Play Project, which was a multi-year community outreach project developed in partnership with East Durham residents. The parks and aquatic center projects came out of this planning process that involved thousands of residents who told Durham Parks and Recreation the features that they want in their local parks.

These Projects Will Make Us Safer

Completing our networks of sidewalks and protected bike facilities (some projects include multi-use paths) are essential elements of reaching zero deaths and serious injuries and zero carbon emissions from transportation. The bond would fund projects to address more than a dozen missing connections.

I was recently interviewed by reporter Michael Perchick of ABC-11 about the bonds. I asked him to meet me at LaSalle Street where it crosses the railroad. While I waited for them to arrive, I saw two middle school age girls walking on the other side of the street, pushing through tall grass with their hands, trying to stay as far from the traffic as they could. This is stretch of LaSalle Street will have sidewalks in the next few years if the bonds are approved.

Thumbnail of Instagram reel (click to view)

I also took a walk with Council member Nate Baker along Hillandale Road between the interchange with I-85 and Club Boulevard. We got our feet wet and muddy along the “goat path” on the side of the street, and stopped to pay respects to the memory of Seth Vidal who was killed on this stretch while riding his bike back in 2013. If the bond passes, this stretch of Hillandale Road will have a new multi-use path giving a safe space for people to walk and bike.

On the bond bike ride hosted by Council member Carl Rist to close out Move-A-Bull City, everyone stopped at the Southside neighborhood community center to see some of the traffic calming measures that were installed by the City at the request of the neighborhood last year with the repaving of their streets. If the bond passes, traffic calming will be possible in several neighborhoods across Durham slated for street repavings.

These Projects Will Improve Transit Access

One of the common complaints about our transit system in Durham is that too many of our bus stops are just poles on the side of the road. Everyone riding the bus deserves the dignity that comes with safe access, and a clean, comfortable bus stop. Seventeen of the sidewalk projects will connect to bus stops and will add ADA-accessible landing areas, large enough to accommodate benches or shelters.

Thumbnail of Instagram reel (click to view)

Leading up to the Week Without Driving, Council member Carl Rist and County Commission candidate Mike Lee did a ride-along on GoDurham bus route 9 with Bike Durham staff Kyle Sullivan and Kelsey Graywill, getting off on East Club Boulevard at a dangerous spot where there is currently no sidewalk. If the bond passes, this segment of East Club Boulevard will have continuous sidewalk on both sides of the street from N Roxboro Street to Glenbrook Drive.

Thumbnail of Instagram reel (click to view)

During the Week Without Driving, a challenge to transportation decision-makes and the community to experience what it’s like to move around our community without driving, I also walked with Council member Chelsea Cook along Northpointe Drive where there is currently a temporary material down on the grass to make a firm landing area at the bus stop, but no connecting sidewalk. If the bond passes, this segment too will be connected to the sidewalks between Guess Road and the sidewalks that start at North Pointe shopping center.

These Projects are ready to be constructed

The new sidewalk projects have already been completely or mostly through the design phase and property is being acquired, as needed. These projects are all expected to be bid out for construction in the next 1-3 years. The sidewalk repair, street paving and repaving, will move forward to construction beginning with the start of construction season next Spring and should all be completed within two years.

Many of the new sidewalk projects have been in the planning and design phase for years - too long really. The City had underinvested in its staff and consultant capacity to manage the design process and procure the necessary right-of-way for these and other projects. While we have been raising concerns about the pace of project delivery for several years, we are encouraged by steps that the City has been taking recently to speed up the delivery of these projects and believe that the leadership is there on the staff to resolve the systemic issues that have been slowing project delivery. We will be releasing a report about the City’s record on project delivery next month, but today, know that we’re confident that the City is ready to deliver on the completion of these projects in the next few years.

These Bonds are the Fastest and Least Expensive Way to Complete these Projects

The bonds are the least expensive and fastest way to fund the completion of these projects (see here). If the bonds pass, all the projects can proceed to construction on their current schedules. If the bonds do not pass, then many of the projects will have to be paused until alternative funding sources can be raised. This would likely add years to some projects, during which time inflation would further raise the costs.

I have heard some argue that these projects should be funded through the regular Capital Improvements Program. If you agree that these projects are important to our community and priorities to be completed, then this is either an argument that $200 million should cut from other projects or services over the next several years to make room for these projects, or it is an argument for raising the property taxes by 46.8 cents per $100 of valuation (currently only 11.5 cents per $100 of valuation for capital projects and debt). This is why taking on debt makes sense for large capital investments. The City gets a very low rate because of their history of good financial management leading to a AAA rating, and the bonds spread the payments over years. As Tim Flora, the City’s finance director, often says, “Paying with bonds is a strategy for generational equity. Bonds are repaid over the useful life of the infrastructure, spreading the project cost equitably among current and future taxpayers as they receive the benefits of the infrastructure over time.”

I’ve already voted Yes for the Bonds, i hope you will too

I'm convinced that this bond funding is the cheapest way to deliver these projects that are a critical next step in building the infrastructure that we all deserve in Durham.

You can help make sure these bonds pass so the projects can be completed by taking these steps:

1. Make a plan to vote and mark yes for both bonds on the ballot

2. Tell three friends or family members to do the same

3. Sign up for a shift to canvass or make phone calls to other voters

Tomorrow is the First Day of School: Let’s Slow Down and Continue Advocating for Change

My daughter’s parking space at high school

Tomorrow, my youngest daughter is starting her Senior year at Riverside High School. It will mark the eighteenth consecutive year that one of our daughters has attended Durham Public Schools.  In addition to feeling excited for her, I’m also nervous because we’ll be letting her drive to school for the first time.  We know that back-to-school time can be particularly hectic on the streets and roads as there is concentrated activity around schools, many navigating new travel patterns, and lots of people new to walking, biking, and driving, all on the streets together.

Over the past eighteen years, with our three daughters, we’ve done it all.  There has been walking, biking, riding a kick-scooter, riding the school bus, and carpooling.  There has also been driving (by my wife and me) and driving by our daughters.  We have been fortunate that the only injury has been some scrapes from a fall on a kick-scooter.  And I feel privileged that we live in a neighborhood where walking and biking to school has often been a good option. 

Most families in Durham are driving their children to school or putting them on a school bus.  Walking or biking to school has become a rarity, not just in Durham, but across the country.  This is not because families don’t want their kids to walk or bike to school, most would love to give their kids that kind of independence and save themselves the time it takes.  But it is usually the rational choice given distances or dangers between home and school.  This is the outcome of decades of policy choices at the local and state levels about how we build our communities and our transportation system.

At Bike Durham, we want all families to have the choice to send their kids out the door each day to walk or bike or roll to school.  And we want that to be a safe option that parents feel good about. 

Here is what we are doing about it:

• Advocating for the City to continue funding sidewalk, intersection, and crosswalk improvements near schools so that all students will have safe walking access to schools;

• Advocating for measures to slow speeds City-wide, starting in school zones;

• Training elementary school students on bike riding and walking safety skills; and

• Supporting families that are starting bike trains/walking school buses. 

These infrastructure improvements require investment at the local, state, and federal level.  In addition to direct public investment, we need to change the rules that our governments administer to ensure the private developers are building communities where it is easy to walk and bike and that are well-connected to neighboring development and the rest of Durham.

Responsible Road User Behavior: For Drivers

While improved infrastructure and better development is crucial, it must be complemented by responsible behavior from all road users. Tomorrow, we will all be navigating the infrastructure we have, so here are reminders from the National Safety Council about how to be safe tomorrow, regardless of whether you have kids at schools or not.  

If You're Dropping Off

Schools often have very specific drop-off procedures for the school year. Make sure you know them for the safety of all kids. The following apply to all school zones:

• Don't double park; it blocks visibility for other children and vehicles

• Don't load or unload children across the street from the school

• Carpool to reduce the number of vehicles at the school

Sharing the Road with Young Pedestrians

According to research by the National Safety Council, most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related incidents are 4 to 7 years old, and they're walking. They are hit by the bus, or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus. A few precautions go a long way toward keeping children safe:

• Don't block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic

• In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection

• Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign

• Take extra care to look for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas

• Don't honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way

• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians

• Always use extreme caution to avoid striking pedestrians wherever they may be, no matter who has the right of way

Sharing the Road with School Buses

If you're driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. It will give you more time to stop once the yellow lights start flashing. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.

• Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you're on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children

• If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop

• The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus

• Be alert; children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks

Sharing the Road with Bicyclists

On most roads, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicles, but bikes can be hard to see. Children riding bikes create special problems for drivers because usually they are not able to properly determine traffic conditions. The most common cause of collision is a driver turning left in front of a bicyclist.

Far Hand Reach: Take this simple step before getting out of your car. It may save a life.

• When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist

• When turning left and a bicyclist is approaching in the opposite direction, wait for the rider to pass

• If you're turning right and a bicyclists is approaching from behind on the right, let the rider go through the intersection first, and always use your turn signals

• Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling; children especially have a tendency to do this

• Be extra vigilant in school zones and residential neighborhoods

• Watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars

• Check side mirrors and use the far hand reach technique when opening your door

By exercising a little extra care and caution, drivers and people walking and biking can co-exist safely in school zones.

Responsible Road User Behavior: For Parents

• Model good behavior: If driving, never use your mobile device. If walking with your children, always use crosswalks. No matter how you are traveling, always follow traffic rules. Your kids are watching and learning what is acceptable.

• Teach traffic safety: Regularly discuss and practice safe pedestrian and cycling behaviors with your kids.

• Carpool or use alternative transportation: Reduce traffic congestion by sharing rides or using school buses when available.

• Arrive early: Give yourself extra time to avoid rushing, which can lead to unsafe choices.

Responsible Road User Behavior: For Students when walking

• Use crosswalks and obey crossing guards: Never jaywalk or cross against signals.

• Stay visible: Wear bright clothing and use reflective gear, especially in low light conditions.

• Walk on sidewalks: If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic and as far from the road as possible.

• Be alert: Avoid distractions like headphones or mobile devices when walking.

Responsible Road User Behavior: For Students when biking

• Follow traffic laws: Ride in the same direction as traffic and obey all signs and signals.

• Use hand signals: Clearly communicate your intentions to turn or stop.

• Helmet use: Always wear a properly fitted helmet when cycling, skateboarding, or using other wheeled transportation.

• Stay visible: Use lights and reflectors, especially during early morning or evening hours.

• Give pedestrians right-of-way: Yield to pedestrians on shared paths and at crosswalks.

• Be alert: Avoid distractions like headphones or mobile devices when biking.

A Call to Action: Making School Zones Safer for All

As we embark on a new school year, let's commit to a vision for a Durham where everyone can thrive, and all families can make the choice for their kids to walk, bike, or roll to school.

Here's how you can get involved:

1. Become a Bike Durham member advocating for change.

2. Support the Connecting Durham bond referendum: Vote for and promote this measure to fund sidewalks, bike lanes, street repair, and parks.

3. Join or organize a walking school bus or bike train program at your school. Contact us for support.

4. Educate others: Share traffic safety information with your neighbors and on social media (use #saferoutesDurham) to raise awareness.

5. Report hazards: Use Durham OneCall (919-560-1200) to notify the City about dangerous conditions near schools.

The first day of school should be filled with hope and possibilities, not danger and fear. By working together to improve our infrastructure and promote responsible behavior, we can create a safer environment for all our children.

What's in the Budget this Year?

Safe Streets Investments and Fare-Free Transit

On Monday, June 17, the Durham City Council will take two important votes toward continuing the investment in Safe & Healthy Streets for Durham: 1) the FY2025 Budget and Capital Improvement Program (CIP), and 2) a $115 million General Obligation (GO) Bond for Sidewalks and Street Resurfacings.  There are a lot of projects that would be funded through both of these packages, so we’re going to take the time here to describe all of the projects.  [NOTE: This Summer and Fall, Bike Durham will be working with partners across the City to share stories about the benefits of many of the projects so that Durham voters are well-informed before going to the polls in November to vote on the bond referendum.]

Before we get to the details, it’s important to keep in mind that the City’s staff and elected leadership are demonstrating through these actions that: 1) they hear the demand for infrastructure that will make our streets safer and healthier for everyone, and 2) they understand the need to make investments in the projects and the people to deliver this vision.

We encourage you to sign the petition thanking the City’s staff and elected leadership.

Fare-Free Transit Service

The proposed city budget for the coming year will keep GoDurham service free for all riders for another year.

List of Sidewalk and Street Resurfacing Bond Projects

$60 million to construct approximately 12.4 miles of new sidewalks

Map of Sidewalk Projects Included in the Sidewalk & Streets bond package (orange lines)

The information below is the most current available information from the City of Durham material presented during the budget retreats and available online.  We are planning further discussions with staff to get further details and we will update this post as we learn more.  

These are projects that have already been in development (design and right-of-way acquisition is complete or nearly so) and will be ready to move to construction in the next 2-3 years (link to staff presentation from April 18).   In addition to the sidewalk projects below, the bond referendum would also fund:

• $15 million to repair existing sidewalks and ADA curb ramps;

• $10 million to pave dirt and gravel streets within City limits

• $30 million to fund street paving and maintenance on city streets (We are seeking information from the Public Works department on the city streets that would be included to know more about opportunities to add traffic calming, safer crossings, and bicycle facilities);  

Some of the funding for these projects was previously identified in the city’s Capital Improvement Program.  This can be confusing, but by funding the completion of these projects with voter-approved bonds, the City frees up additional capacity to add new projects to next year’s Capital Improvement Program. 

East Club Boulevard Sidewalks (LC770): 

• Both sides of East Club Boulevard from Stephenson to Glenbrook (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~0.4 miles on each side)

• This is a project that the Bragtown Community Association has been advocating for many years.

• It will improve access to GoDurham bus routes 9A/9B and connect to the Club Boulevard Housing community.

Hillandale Road Bicycle and Ped (U-4726HN, LCH85):

• Both sides of Hillandale Road from I-85 to NC-147 (filling gaps/building/widening sidewalks, building bike paths along ~1 mile on each side)

• This stretch of Hillandale Road is an important north-south connection and the site where Seth Vidal was killed while riding his bike in 2013.

• It will improve access to a new bus route that is expected to begin operation in August of 2024.

Morreene Road Bicycle and Ped (C-4928, LCM83)

• Both sides of Morreene Road from Erwin Road to Neal Road (filling gaps/building/widening sidewalks, building bike paths along ~1.5 miles on each side)

• This project will improve access to GoDurham bus route 11B and is an important connection to Duke’s West Campus and Erwin Road from many residential communities, including Morreene Road Housing Community, Damar Court, and American Village. 

LaSalle Street Sidewalk (EB-5703, LC187):

• Both sides of LaSalle Street from Kangaroo Drive to Hillsborough Road and on west side from Hillsborough Rd. to Sprunt Ave (building new sidewalks along ~0.5 miles on east side and ~0.7 miles on west side)

• This project will improve access to GoDurham bus route 11 and Duke bus route LL and is an important connection from the residential communities on LaSalle to Duke and Erwin Road to the south, and the businesses on Hillsborough Road to the north.

Cornwallis Rd Sidewalks/Bike Lanes (U-4724, LCC84):

• Both sides of Cornwallis Road from Old Chapel Hill Road to South Roxboro Street (building new sidewalks and bike paths along ~1.2 miles on each side)

• This project will close an important gap in east-west access including a connection to Rogers-Herr Middle School.

N. Duke Street Sidewalk (EB-5715, LC189):

• East side of N. Duke Street from Murray Avenue to N. Roxboro Road (building new sidewalks along ~1.8 miles)

• This project will improve access to GoDurham bus routes 4 and 9A and the residences and businesses along this busy stretch of North Duke Street.

NC 54 Sidewalk (EB-5708, LC190):

• South side of NC-54 from NC HWY-55 east to the RTP western limit (building new sidewalks along ~0.4 miles)

• This project will iimprove access to GoDurham bus route 12B and GoTriangle bus route 805.

Raynor Street Sidewalks (EB-5704, LC188):

• North side of Raynor Street from N. Miami Boulevard to Hardee Street (building new sidewalks along ~0.3 miles)

• This project will improve walking access to GoDurham Route 3 and to the second busiest bus stop in the city at Raynor St. and North Miami Blvd.

Five Bike+Walk Corridors 1 (SW-66, LC501):

Five street segments will get sidewalks on this project.  

• West side of Clayton Road from Chandler Road to Freeman Road; north side of Freeman Road from Clayton Road to Obsidian way (building new sidewalk along ~0.5 miles) (improving access to GoDurham bus route 3B)

• Both sides of the Hillsborough Road from 3800 Hillsborough Road (Hilton) to 3414 Hillsborough Road (Sheetz) (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~0.7 miles on each side) (improving access to GoDurham bus route 11)

• Both sides of Holloway Street from the intersection of N. Guthrie Avenue to N. Miami Boulevard (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~0.3 miles on each side) (improving access to GoDurham bus routes 3, 3B, and 3C)

• Both sides of Old Oxford Road from 204 Old Oxford Road to 429 Old Oxford Road (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~0.4 miles on each side) (improving access to  GoDurham bus routes 9A and 9B)

• Both sides of W. Corporation Street from N. Duke Street to N. Mangum Street (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~0.6 miles on each side) (improving access to GoDurham bus routes 1, 4, and 9A/9B)

Eight Bike+Sidewalk Projects (SW-68, LC504):

Eight street segments will get sidewalks on this project.  

• West side of Broad Street from the rear side of Walgreens parking lot to Forest Road (building new sidewalk along ~0.1 miles) (improving access to GoDurham Route 1)

• Northeast side of the roadway at 3519 Fayetteville Street (Mount Zion Christian Church) (filling sidewalk gap along ~70 feet) (improving access to a bus stop for GoDurham Routes 5 and 7) 

• East side of Fulton Street from Pratt Street to the Durham Freeway On-Ramp (widening sidewalks along ~0.2 mi) (listed on Durham's Future Pedestrian Facilities GIS site as a mixed-use path)

• Both sides of Holt School Road from 3900 Holt School Road to 4102 Holt School Road (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~0.1 miles on each side) (improving access to Holt Elementary School)

• Both sides of N. Pointe Drive from the intersection of Guess Road to 1915 N Pointe Drive (Red Roof Inn) (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~0.3 miles on each side) (improving access to GoDurham Route 1)

• West side of the Raynor Street from 611 Raynor Street to 701 Raynor Street (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~200 feet on each side) (improving access to GoDurham Routes 3/3B/3C)

• Both sides of the SW Durham Drive from 3705 SW Durham Drive to the intersection of Old Chapel Hill Road (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~0.5 miles on each side) (improving access to GoTriangle Route 400)

• Both sides of Stadium Drive from 801 Stadium Drive to Olympic Avenue (filling gaps/building new sidewalks along ~0.2 miles on each side)

Capital Improvement Program Projects  ($16,567,884)

As mentioned above, funding the completion of the above projects with voter-approved bonds, the City frees up additional capacity to add new projects to next year’s Capital Improvement Program. 

Durham Downtown Rail Trail, $3,503,126 + $2,400,00 for enhancements

• “Beltline” running from North Durham to Durham Station area downtown (~1.8 miles of new bike and pedestrian paths)

• Additional amenities including the Gateway Park at the trailhead and lighting and site furnishings along the trail.  (Video of the proposed enhancements.)

• This would also fund property acquisition at Avondale Avenue to support a future trailhead amenity and parking.

Durham-to-Roxboro Rail Trail, $2,500,000

• Planning study for a rail-to-trail conversion of the abandoned rail corridor from near Avondale Drive to Person County border (~18 miles of new bike and pedestrian paths)

• The 18-mile corridor would connect the end of the future Durham Rail Trail (Avondale Drive) to the Person County line, passing through the communities of Bragtown, Bahama, and Rougemont along the way.

Mangum-Roxboro Signals for Two-Way Conversion, $500,000

• Pavement markings and signal upgrades to convert US 15-501 Business North (Roxboro Street) and US 15-501 Business South (Mangum Street) from a one-way pair system to two-way streets. Design FY 2025, construction beginning FY2026

Guess Road Improvements for Safer Bicycling - NEW, $950,000

• Bike and pedestrian facilities on Guess Road between I-85 and Club Boulevard. (~1 mi)

Bike Lane Vertical Protection (LC522), $172,035. This is a request for local funding to replace federal funding so that project can move faster.

• Adds vertical protection to buffered bicycle lanes in Durham

New Roundabout Installation - Continuation of LC705, $1,400,000

• Roundabout at the intersection of Morreene Road and American Drive to improve safety and slow traffic. (Bike safety improvements around 1 intersection)

• This project will be comleted in conjunction with the Morreene Road project that will add sidewalks and bicycle facilities.

School Zone Speed Reductions and Trail Crossing Improvements, $1,210,000

• Flashing beacons for Rocky Creek Trail crossing at Elmira St (between Dakota St and Hemlock Ave)

• Flashing beacons for S Ellerbee Creek Trail crossing at Stadium Dr (across from Durham County stadium driveway)

• School zone flashers for Durham School of the Arts on Stadium Drive

• School zone flashers for Central Park School for Children on North Street/Hargrove Street

• School zone flashers for Hope Valley Elementary and Durham Academy Middle on University Drive

• Pedestrian signals for Club Boulevard Elementary at Roxboro/Lavender

• Flashing beacons for Fayetteville St Elementary crossing at Elmira St and Hemlock Ave

• Flashing beacons for Morehead Montessori Elementary crossing at Lakewood Ave and Shepherd St

• Flashing beacons for Clement Early College High crossing at Fayetteville St and Formosa Ave

• Curb radius reduction for Hillandale Elementary at Hillandale/Peppertree

• Crosswalk for Brogdon Middle at Leon St and Buchanon

• Bump outs for Shephard Middle along Dakota St

• Warranted traffic signal on Stadium Dr at new Durham School of the Arts (between Carver St and Shaftsbury St)

Neighborhood Bike Routes 2 and 3 (LC620), $282,723. This is a request for local funding to replace federal funding so that project can move faster.

• Englewood Avenue from Georgia Avenue to Watts Street; 

• Knox Street from Watts Street to Acadia Street 

• Bivins Street from SR 1127 (Chapel Hill Road) to Arnette Avenue

• Iredell Street from US 70 Business (Main Street) to West Club Boulevard

• Maryland Avenue from West Club Boulevard to Ellerbee Creek Trail

• Cleveland Street/Corporation Street from US 70 business/NC 98 (Holloway Street) to Rigsbee Avenue 

• Juniper Street from Spruce Street to Guthrie Avenue 

• Lincoln Street/Grant Street from Lawson Street to Lakeland Street 

• Ridgeway Avenue/Lakeland Street from Lawson Street to Mathison Street 

• Lavender Avenue from Elgin Street to Stephenson Street 

• Stephenson Street from Lavender Avenue to SR 1669 (Club Boulevard) 

• Umstead street/Lodge Street from SR 1118 (Fayetteville Street) to Fargo Street

Signal Timing Improvements - Continuation of LC259, $300,000

Trail System Repairs, $1,200,000

Proposed City Budget/CIP Includes All Our Priorities

Durham Leaders Take Next Steps Toward Our Vision for Safe & Healthy Streets

Whether long-time residents of Northeast Central Durham or new residents near Southpoint, whether working at Duke Medical Center or in a restaurant kitchen, most of us want Durham to be inclusive and vibrant, and everyone wants their friends and loved ones to come home safely.  We all deserve to get around Durham on bike, on foot, on transit, or in a car without our loved ones worrying about whether we’ll be hit by a driver on our Durham streets.

Over the past month we’ve been reminded of the risks as three men have been killed in hit-and-run crimes while walking or biking on our streets.  In response to these and too many preceding tragedies, our elected and staff leaders have been deepening their commitment to Vision Zero (see below), and they have been making steps toward greater investments in infrastructure that will slow driver speeds, make our streets safer for biking and walking, and improve access to the GoDurham bus system.  In fact, the proposed City Budget and Capital Improvement Program includes nearly everything that we asked for:

• Continuation of fare-free GoDurham and GoDurham ACCESS services

• Fund the entire list of Transportation Department infrastructure projects plus design and engagement on Duke and Gregson/Vickers

• Acceleration of the completion of projects by investing in staff (competitive wages and additional positions) and streamlining the project delivery process.

Much of the funding for these investments will require voter approval through the November 5 election.  Over the past several months, the staff and Council have been taking the series of steps required to place a bond referendum on the November ballot to fund $115 million in sidewalk and street resurfacing projects.  This is a common way for local governments to fund important community infrastructure, as in 2019 when city of Durham voters supported a $95 million affordable housing bond, and in 2022 when Durham county voters supported a $550 million bond for Durham Public schools, Durham Tech, and the Museum of Life and Science.

This November’s election is important for many reasons, but we will be focused on educating voters about the sidewalk and streets bond referendum and encouraging voters to register and turn out to vote. We know what can make Durham thrive for us all.  By working together with community members and staff and elected representatives at all levels, we can design and deliver safe and healthy streets with complete biking and walking networks and great transit that not only connect and improve our neighborhoods, but protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and this place we call home, for generations to come.

Below are details about the decisions our local leaders are making, and the work that we have to do to realize the future that most everyone wants in Durham.

Advancing Vision Zero

In 2017, Durham City Council adopted a Vision Zero Resolution becoming an early adopter among North Carolina communities.  This was an important step to set an intention to change Durham’s approach to traffic safety until we have zero deaths and serious injuries on our streets and highways.  Since that time, many more communities across the country have committed to Vision Zero and taken steps to achieve it, establishing a record of promising practices.  Three of those building blocks that have demonstrated to be necessary steps are:

• Assigning a full-time, dedicated Vision Zero Coordinator;

• Adopting a Vision Zero Action Plan that analyzes traffic data and street designs, prioritizing changes to infrastructure and policy;

• Setting a specific year for achieving zero deaths and serious injuries, as well as interim milestones.

Last Spring, through advocacy from Bike Durham and the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission, and with the leadership of Council member Javiera Caballero, the manager recommended and the Council adopted a budget funding a Vision Zero Coordinator position.  Late last year Lauren Grove was hired in that role.  You can hear from Lauren in this video interview.

Late last year transportation director Sean Egan also committed to completing a Vision Zero Action Plan by the end of 2024, and that effort is underway.  This past Monday, the City Council adopted an update to the original Vision Zero Resolution, setting targets for reducing traffic deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2035 and to zero by 2045.  The entire updated resolution is worth reading.  It lays out clearly the rationale for Vision Zero, and the steps that the staff is directed to take.

A Bond Referendum for Funding Safe and Healthy Streets

Following several years of discussion and preparation, the City Council is prepared to take action on June 17 to place a $115 million sidewalk and street resurfacing bond referendum on the November ballot (together with an $85 million parks and recreation bond).  If the sidewalks and streets bond referendum is passed by the voters in November, they would directly provide:

• $60 million to construct new sidewalks;  

• $30 million to fund city street paving and maintenance (each an opportunity to slow traffic, improve crossings, and add bicycle facilities);  

• $15 million to repair existing sidewalks and ADA curb ramps; and  

• $10 million to pave dirt and gravel streets within City limits.

We will share additional information in a following post about the specific projects to be constructed with these revenues, but it is important to know that these are projects that have already been in development and will be ready to move to construction in the next 2-3 years (link to staff presentation from April 18).   The $115 million in bond revenues would create a reliable source of revenue to move these projects to completion in the fastest and least expensive way available.  These new revenues would also make possible the funding of additional projects in the city’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

Proposed Budget and Capital Improvement Program

We had three specific asks for funding priorities that we made at the March 18 budget public hearing:

• Continuation of fare-free GoDurham and GoDurham ACCESS services

• Fund the entire list of Transportation Department infrastructure projects plus design and engagement on Duke and Gregson/Vickers

• Acceleration of the completion of projects by investing in staff (competitive wages and additional positions) and streamlining the project delivery process.  

The proposed budget (read excerpt) that City Manager Wanda Page released on May 20 includes funding to continue fare-free transit service for another year; funding for nearly every single request from the Transportation Department, including the feasibility study for Duke and Gregson/Vickers; and funding for staff salaries to make them competitive with the regional market. 

The funding of all of these capital projects was made possible because of the proposed bond referendum for $115 million in sidewalks and street resurfacing projects.  The bond referendum is also an important step in improving the project delivery process, creating a funding resource across multiple projects and several years that can be used to more flexibly respond to changes in projects costs and schedules. We can also see some of this flexibility being built into the CIP. For several projects, multiple years of funding are being made available in the upcoming fiscal year, which will allow staff to more seamlessly move from one stage of a project to another, without having to wait for another budget cycle to request additional funds.

We are excited about these decisions and steps that the city’s staff and elected leadership are taking to make our streets safe & healthy for everyone.  We encourage you to join us in thanking them for their leadership and we invite you to join us as we educate voters about the sidewalk and street resurfacing bond referendum.

Durham Residents Want Our Streets to be Safe for Everyone

On April 26, the IndyWeek published an article that first ran in the 9th Street Journal entitled "Reckless Roxboro May Get a Revamp if Locals Can Persuade NCDOT". I encourage you to read this article by Esmé Fox and pay attention to the quotes by NCDOT district engineer John Sandor.

While I find the quotes to be troubling, they are not entirely surprising, and I think it’s helpful that he's saying this publicly to a reporter. Now we know what mindset and arguments that we're facing. In the article, the district engineer is reported as having made the following points:

1. He only raises concerns for congestion, making no mention of concern for excessive speeds or safety. The community has repeatedly called for a new design intended to slow speeds and make these streets safe and comfortable for all users. Car volumes on these streets have dropped since the opening of the East End Connector (I-885).

2. He poses the questions, "Are they going to use smaller streets? Are they going to go through neighborhoods now?" He's referring to his own speculation that a design for two-way travel and slower speeds would cause drivers to look for other paths.  What he doesn't seem to realize is that Roxboro and Mangum Streets already cut through existing neighborhoods. People live on those streets and have to cross those streets to move through the neighborhood. However, instead of being designed as connectors, the current designs divide the communities.

3. “Has it [two-way conversion] been done successfully? I think you’ll see a mixed bag of results. It’s not a magic pill that’s going to go in there and fix all these things for these people. It actually changes the road completely. Whereas if I’m a pedestrian on a one-way street, all I have to do is look one way, right?” First, there actually is a lot of evidence that one-lane of traffic in each direction will be slower than two lanes of traffic in one direction. The expected slower speed is the primary reason that the capacity of the streets would be lower, since there would still be a total of two lanes of traffic in each direction on Mangum and Roxboro Streets. There are also a lot of other reasons that communities make these conversions, including for economic development (look no further than Durham’s own conversion of Main Street and Chapel Hill Street from one-way to two-way travel inside the Loop). More concerning however, is that he is not being a partner with the City in solving the concerns about speeding traffic and safety. We want NCDOT’s district engineer to be a partner in redesigning streets that are safe for all users.

4. “We have a bigger responsibility than just those citizens that live down in that corridor.” ​This is the quote that burns me up.  First of all, he is dismissing residents who are engaging in a public process to shape their own physical community.  Second, he doesn't acknowledge that the City Council, our elected representatives, adopted the Move Durham Study in 2020 recommending converting these streets to two-way travel, nor that the City staff are the ones who have been trying to work with him on the analysis to convince him that a new two-way design will "work" for traffic flow.  I read this as a statement that he and his colleagues at the NCDOT district office believe that they know better what the Durham community wants and needs in their street designs than the City Council and staff, let alone the residents. 

We cannot let these comments go without response. I and several others have submitted letters to the editor at IndyWeek and are sharing them with City staff and elected officials. The text of my letter to the editor (limit 300 words) is below:

“Residents from neighborhoods across Durham, whether in northeast central Durham or southwest Durham, we all want and deserve streets that are safe for walking, biking, and driving. That means streets designed for slower speeds, with sidewalks, safe crossings, protected bike lanes, and access to transit.  In the April 26th article "Reckless Roxboro May Get a Revamp if Locals Can Persuade NCDOT", Esmé Fox reports on the residents organizing for safer two-way designs of Roxboro and Mangum Streets. The City Council adopted this change in their 2020 Move Durham Study, and staff has hired an engineering consultant to analyze the impacts before developing a design.  However, the district engineer dismisses this direction set by our elected and staff leadership, “We have a bigger responsibility than just those citizens that live down in that corridor.”  Since these are NCDOT-maintained streets, the district engineer also needs to be convinced to become a partner in making this change.

Just last week at the NC Traffic Safety Conference, the City of Durham Transportation Department, the Southside Neighborhood Association, and Bike Durham were recognized with the 2024 Collaboration of the Year Award by the Governor's Highway Safety Program.  This award was for the collective effort to engage the residents about their desires for slower speed traffic where they lived, to co-design solutions that the City evaluated, approved, and implemented.  

We call on NCDOT engineers to embrace this model of collaboration so that they become full partners with the City and community residents in addressing concerns about speeding traffic that too often leads to tragedy.  Our streets belong to all of us and they should be designed so that everyone can thrive whether walking, biking, riding transit, or in a car.”

We cannot achieve the changes to our streets that we need unless we convert NCDOT’s district engineer to be a partner in addressing these problems.

Composite of (unflattering) images from the awards event at the Traffic Safety Conference.

What You Can Do

1. Send your own letter to the editor at IndyWeek (backtalk@indyweek.com) in response to "Reckless Roxboro May Get a Revamp if Locals Can Persuade NCDOT". The limit is 300 words.

2. Sign up to receive email updates on our Safe Streets campaign.

3. Become a sustainer to power this campaign for safe streets by making a monthly or annual contribution.

Dozens gather with community leaders in celebrating Rosa Parks’ legacy with support for expanded bus service free to all in Durham

On Wednesday, February 7th, Bike Durham, Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, People’s Alliance, Durham Congregations in Action, and Coalition for Affordable Housing and Transit and dozens of bus riders and transit supporters were joined by State Senators Natalie Murdock and Mike Woodard and County Commissioner Wendy Jacobs at a Transit Equity Week Forum. You can watch a video of the entire forum (1 hour and 25 minutes) at Bike Durham’s Facebook page. (Note: We fixed the orientation of the image at the 20:45 mark.) 

February 4th is Rosa Parks’ birthday and for the past six years, advocates for improving public transit across the country have honored her legacy by celebrating Transit Equity Day.  She was an iconic figure among many of the civil rights era who chose the tactic of refusing to give up her seat on the bus. Bike Durham executive director John Tallmadge told those assembled that “they joined others from at least 28 communities across the country in making the connection to this act of resistance to highlight the rights of all people to high-quality affordable public transportation powered by clean/ renewable energy.”  

Bike Durham staff member Gregory Williams speaking into a microphone

Since March 2020, GoDurham and GoTriangle bus services have been free to passengers.  The lost revenues have been compensated through federal COVID-relief funding.  Bike Durham advocacy campaign organizer Gregory Williams shared several stories that he had collected for riders about the impact that fare-free transit has had on their lives. “One gentleman I spoke with emphasized the profound impact of fare-free bus rides on his ability to support his sister. He highlighted that the freedom from financial constraints allows him to be there for her whenever she needs him.”

Last year, local governments adopted the Durham County Transit Plan to prioritize spending of local sales tax revenues dedicated to transit. 

In describing who will benefit from the City’s proposals for new services and the extension of fare-free transit, City of Durham transit planner Jennifer Green shared statistics showing that 72% of current GoDurham riders identify as Black, and 77% report living without access to a car.  (The entire slide deck is available here.)

In addition to the proposed service improvements, the transit tax revenues are also programmed for better bus stops and sidewalk connections to the bus stops.  GoTriangle staff member Matthew Clark in describing their efforts to build better bus stops said, “One thing that you notice about some bus stops in Durham is that they are literally in the ditch.”  He went on to describe progress that they are making to improve the bus stop conditions. 

Though there are significant investments of local tax dollars in transit improvements, there remain many unfunded priorities that are needed to make transit equitable for all.  This will require investments from the federal and North Carolina governments. 

In a pre-recorded video message, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee shared that she was proud to be an original co-sponsor of H.R. 7039 Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act recently introduced by Rep. Hank Johnson.  If passed, this bill would generate an estimated additional $29 million for transit operations in the Durham-Chapel Hill urbanized area (find the fact sheet here).

State Senator Natalie Murdock addressing the audience with State Senator Mike Woodard looking on

Senator Natalie Murdock shared, “When I think of the legacy of Rosa Parks, she was fighting for access to ride transit, and now the new frontier is making sure that everyone has access to get to the transit service.  The state should provide more funding for transit services and access to transit like sidewalks.”  

The Transit Equity Campaign partners Bike Durham, Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, People’s Alliance, Durham Congregations in Action, and Coalition for Affordable Housing and Transit call for the continuation of fare-free transit for Durham’s low-income residents and implementation of the proposed transit improvements for the coming year.  You can learn more about and comment on the proposal through February 21st at this website.

City Council Ward 3 Applicants Respond to Bike Durham Questionnaire

With the results of the 2023 Council elections, the Ward 3 Council seat was left vacant with Leonardo Williams election as Mayor. The Council sought applicants for the open seat through December 21. Ten individuals applied for consideration. On January 4th, the City Council will identify finalists for further consideration. A full timeline for decision-making can be found on the City of Durham’s website.

Bike Durham asked the fourteen applicants for the Ward 3 seat for their views on local transportation issues. Below, we have reprinted the responses received.

Please note that Bike Durham is organized as a non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the tax code which prohibits us from endorsing or opposing individual candidates for public office. We can and do provide education about the candidates’ positions on issues of importance to our community.

Click the Names to Jump to Each Applicant

(Listed Alphabetically)

Amanda Borer

Chelsea Cook (has not replied)

Carolyn Daye (responded that she is no longer pursuing the appointment)

Jonathan Espitia (has not replied)

Sergio Henderson (has not replied)

Shelia Huggins

Larry Ernest Lawton (has not replied)

Aaron Louv (has not replied)

Scot MacIver

Aalayah Sanders

Chastan Swain

Zoe Tishaev

Jacqueline Wagstaff (has not replied)

Alexander Williams (has not replied)

Amanda Borer

1. How often do you currently walk, bike, and/or ride transit in Durham?  What prevents you from doing so more often?

I frequently walk, run and hike on our community trails. I would love to bike more-- and commute this way to/from work but am terrified of doing so with my level of skill (or lack thereof). I also have a son that I transport to and from childcare which makes this a challenge in our current environment and locations.

2. If we can achieve it, what would transportation equity look like to you?

I love the idea of 15-minute cities, or 5 minute neighborhoods where residents can walk, bike, or use public transportation to get to all of their necessary services and "choice" amenities within 15 minutes.  I do think this also means that we have to make sure that folks of varying abilities, both physical and cognitive, are set up for success in using these modalities.  Do we have lifts on our buses, are our drivers trained in crisis prevention or how to work with cognitive impairments or executive function loss.   Do our crosswalks all have audible warnings as well as visual?  How are our trails and sidewalks for wheelchair and walker use, and how could we improve it? 

3. Vision Zero is a safe systems approach to traffic safety that does not accept that traffic fatalities or serious injuries are inevitable.  Durham's City Council initially endorsed Vision Zero in 2017.  In 2017, the five year average of motor vehicle crash fatalities was 26/year, including 5 people walking and 1 person biking.  The most recent 5-year average through 2022, is 32 killed per year, including 7 people walking and fortunately fewer than 1 person killed per year while biking.  Do you endorse Vision Zero and, if so, what will you do to advance the City's progress toward zero deaths or serious injuries?

This hits really close to home as I lost my sister in 2022 (Dr. Alicia Borer) in a motor vehicle accident out of state.  I don't know that anything could have prevented her accident, but if there is any way to effectively and reasonably prevent MVA, I support that.  I have also had friends/family that have mv into biker accidents involving major injuries and deaths and of course I support decreasing these accidents.  I don't know much at the moment about how Durham is advancing towards Vision Zero but aim to do research to better my education around this initiative. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.  

4. What are your priorities for improvements to Durham's transit and paratransit services so they can meet the needs of more Durham residents, starting with current transit riders and workers?

I think it would be great to replicate and expand GoDurham Access where needed to provide variable route, on-time transportation that is accessible to those that may need support riding public transit in Durham.   

5. Given that the most dangerous streets and roads in Durham are state-owned, requiring NCDOT approval before changes can be made, what ideas do you have for changing the City's relationship with the NCDOT in order to make our streets safer for all users?

Leveraging Vision Zero's High Injury network to focus resources at dangerous intersections, and where needed or possible work to acquire the roads more locally from the state. Building relationships always takes time and understanding the history of such is important to move forward to changing anything in a positive manner.  

6. What are the most important initiatives on your agenda to lead Durham in mitigating the impacts of climate change? With which organizations will you partner to amplify these efforts?

Reducing our carbon footprint by increasing green jobs and green spaces, decreasing the necessity of cars to get around, increasing home energy efficiency and planting (and keeping) trees.  I think living small to grow helps this, making the ability to travel without a car by increasing green spaces, trails etc. 

7. Many transportation infrastructure projects have taken ten or more years for the City to complete.  What will you do to hold City staff accountable to timely completion of the commitments of the Durham Transit Plan and the City's Capital Improvement Program?

In my work as an administrator, I often work to manage projects.  This means being organized, documenting progress, identifying gaps and following-up on others' work.  I like to "get curious" and ask questions about what the next steps are and what the barriers are to moving forward.  This kind of questioning, on a regular basis-- like adding it to the regular agenda, can help progress projects when stalled.  

8. Would you support policies and investments to make sustainable transportation options - such as walking, biking, and riding transit - more accessible and appealing to everyone in Durham?  If so, what would your priorities be?

Yes, yes, yes!!  Not to harp on a singular idea too much but I believe in the 15 min cities to go small, while growing bigger.  Let's invest in public transportation, accessible trails, greenways and greenspaces to be able to get where needed within a reasonable time. 

9. How do you propose working across various agencies (ie - City Parks & Rec, Durham Public Schools, etc) to improve walking and biking access to schools, parks, and other locations in our region?

A big part of serving on the City Council is listening and learning.  I look forward to reaching out to different departments to better understand their work and goals in general as well as to improve walking and biking access to city amenities.  I think investing in city planning like the 15-min community philosophy lends itself well to helping address this question as well. 

10. The costs of housing and transportation are the two highest expenses for many households.  Please outline your policy and investment priorities for addressing the challenges of ensuring that everyone has access to housing that they can afford in places where they are connected to the rest of Durham and the region through public transit, walking, and biking.

I believe that affordable housing is a right for every human and is integral to a community’s and individual’s health.  Reflecting much of the rest of the US, Durham’s housing prices are outpacing wages and ability for residents to afford to buy or rent within city limits.  This is exacerbating the economic wealth gap that exists and has widened during the COVID and post-COVID shutdown years.

Durham has a unique opportunity to leverage existing and incoming resources with nationally known names making our city their home.  From Duke University to incoming Apple, Google, etc. there are opportunities to build public-private partnerships to help us reach our housing goals.

I also believe that going smaller to get bigger by building 15 min communities within Durham helps many of these issues such as taking care of our most vulnerable populations, older adults, unhoused people, young children.  This strategy allows for all to walk/bike/use public transit to get to all amenities and necessities within 15 minutes, decreasing the need for costly transportation, decreasing isolation, hosting mixed-use housing and creating a stronger sense of community.

Durham should also look into furthering their programs around incentivizing landlords and rental companies to offer affordable housing, and developers to include lower-income units.   We need to review the zoning codes to verify they are serving Durham and its residents in the best way.  There are also housing voucher programs and a Durham Land Trust that could be expanded.  We have to think innovatively as housing issues are complex and require a multi-pronged approach to improvement.

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Shelia Huggins

1. How often do you currently walk, bike, and/or ride transit in Durham?  What prevents you from doing so more often?

My family frequently engages in outside activities. I generally walk or run outside several days a week. My husband rides his bike daily. For many years, he took the bus from Durham to downtown Raleigh where he worked. He would attach his bike to the front of the bus so that he would have it available for riding in Raleigh. Unfortunately, he was moved to a different location that made it no longer feasible for him to take the bus to Raleigh. 

I generally do not ride transit for the following reasons: 1) in many instances, it’s not offered at the times and locations needed; 2) I’m either going short distances where I could drive in 5-10 minutes or long distances to other counties for work; or 3) I need to do something quickly, and it would take more time using transit. For short distances when it would be more feasible to walk, it’s a safety issue. There are no sidewalks to the places that I would walk to. 

2. If we can achieve it, what would transportation equity look like to you?

We would definitely have more sidewalks and bike lanes. Bus service would be expanded and remain free. We would have better regional transit opportunities. People who need mobility assistance would have more opportunities for transit assistance. In general, we would have a comprehensive system that allows for people to go places using a variety of means and in a manner that’s not cost prohibitive.

3. Vision Zero is a safe systems approach to traffic safety that does not accept that traffic fatalities or serious injuries are inevitable.  Durham's City Council initially endorsed Vision Zero in 2017.  In 2017, the five-year average of motor vehicle crash fatalities was 26/year, including 5 people walking and 1 person biking.  The most recent 5-year average through 2022, is 32 killed per year, including 7 people walking and fortunately fewer than 1 person killed per year while biking.  Do you endorse Vision Zero and, if so, what will you do to advance the City's progress toward zero deaths or serious injuries?

I live in a neighborhood that lacks sidewalks. Therefore, I understand what it’s like to dodge vehicles and, as a driver, to look out for people who are out walking and running. I support our Vision Zero plan and will work to make sure that projects are aligned with our Vision Zero plan.

4. What are your priorities for improvements to Durham's transit and paratransit services so they can meet the needs of more Durham residents, starting with current transit riders and workers?

According to the City of Durham website, “The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently announced a $292,500 grant from the Areas of Persistent Poverty program to the City of Durham to fund a draft plan for the new Village Transit Center (VTC) near The Village Shopping Center in East Durham.” This area was selected because it was the route with the second highest number of riders. I believe that by improving transportation services in areas of high poverty, residents will be better able to get to jobs, educational and training opportunities, health care, and more. Once we start with VTC, we should also analyze what’s working and determine whether there are other places in the city that could benefit from a similar program.

In addition to this, we’ve also heard from residents regarding which routes need higher frequency services, and residents have also expressed concerns about the need to expand the hours of bus services. This is something we should continue to monitor and also look for opportunities to make the necessary changes. Regarding our paratransit services, I have heard complaints regarding the length of time for pickup, issues relating to scheduling changes, and issues related to health care appointments. My priorities would focus on remedying the issues that we’ve already heard about from residents.

5. Given that the most dangerous streets and roads in Durham are state-owned, requiring NCDOT approval before changes can be made, what ideas do you have for changing the City's relationship with the NCDOT in order to make our streets safer for all users?

Our elected officials, residents, and community stakeholders all have a role to play in influencing how decisions are made about our state-owned roads. As we know, Durham is a part of the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the NCDOT is responsible for carrying out road projects. While there are a number of formal relationships that aid in the transportation planning process, I think that one of the biggest issues is that we haven’t always spoken in solidarity and with one voice. We may have community groups that push for certain priorities and projects and at the same time the City or other stakeholders support something entirely different. Additionally, the NCDOT tends to focus on projects in a way that doesn’t prioritize pedestrian and bicycle options. I believe that we need to 1) make sure that we present our priorities in a cohesive voice, 2) continue to use our legislative delegation to help NCDOT understand and support our priorities, and 3) build regional support from other municipalities who may be facing similar issues. This may help us in terms of building a better relationship with the NCDOT.

6. What are the most important initiatives on your agenda to lead Durham in mitigating the impacts of climate change? With which organizations will you partner to amplify these efforts?
My overall position is that we need to take climate change seriously and start making changes at the local level to do our part. I have an education background in the sciences and a Master of Public Administration degree with a specialization in environmental policy. For several years, I worked in an environmental lab and yet, I sometimes have a hard time following the details on some of the environmental issues. But I believe that my background provides me with a different perspective in working with the community and can provide some insight into how we could do a better job of mitigating the impacts of climate change in Durham. 

I worked in city government for almost nine years. Therefore, I have a good understanding of the process that city council uses to vote on issues. The documentation that they receive does not include an analysis regarding the environmental impact of any given decision. My belief is that we should include an environmental assessment or impact statement on every agenda item so that we know if we're moving in the right direction, standing in place, or moving backwards. This is a simple step that we could take to mitigate the impacts that we make as a city.

7. Many transportation infrastructure projects have taken ten or more years for the City to complete.  What will you do to hold City staff accountable to timely completion of the commitments of the Durham Transit Plan and the City's Capital Improvement Program?

As a former city employee, it has been my experience the city is usually under-resourced for projects, meaning they don’t have enough staff and other resources for the projects that they manage. There is staff turnover, the number of current projects assigned to staff, new projects that are started, and supply chain issues that still impact timelines. Some of the issues involved are complex and involve many moving parts. That being said, if we want a better understanding of why the projects are taking so long to complete, we need to be willing to understand why this is happening and then instituting a plan that responds to the issues that are raised. 

8. Would you support policies and investments to make sustainable transportation options - such as walking, biking, and riding transit - more accessible and appealing to everyone in Durham?  If so, what would your priorities be?

Yes. Any policies and investments that are being made to support sustainable transportation options have to result in options that residents want and will actually use. I think that the options that we hear the most about include sidewalks, bus service, and paratransit services. I would work on finding ways to increase the service and efficiencies of our bus services, support the building of sidewalks on both sides of the street, and make sure that we are improving paratransit as needed. I’ve reviewed the GoDurham Better Bus Project, and I think it is a good example of building a comprehensive plan around transportation. Covered seating, bicycle racks, and sidewalks are all included in the plan.

We also need to make sure were building an efficient bus-rapid transit service which offers an opportunity for us to provide increased sustainable transportation options in Durham.

9. How do you propose working across various agencies (ie - City Parks & Rec, Durham Public Schools, etc) to improve walking and biking access to schools, parks, and other locations in our region?

In some instances, we have already done this, for example our Durham Trails and Greenway Master Plan explicitly mentions connectivity and accessibility. The Bike+Walk Implementation Plan has plans in place for the installation of sidewalks and bicycle pathways. The thing to remember is that most of those plans were made a number of years ago. I believe that it’s time to revisit those plans and review them to improve connectivity to schools, parks, and other locations and have local government agencies participate in the process.

10. The costs of housing and transportation are the two highest expenses for many households.  Please outline your policy and investment priorities for addressing the challenges of ensuring that everyone has access to housing that they can afford in places where they are connected to the rest of Durham and the region through public transit, walking, and biking.

Better job opportunities can address both housing and transportation issues. 

We need to focus on career progression and have honest conversations with residents about the skills, training, and experience needed to obtain better jobs. Job automation is here now. Kroger, Walmart, and Dollar General have announced plans to pilot a self-service only store. Cruise, a self-driving vehicle company is experimenting in Raleigh (which may compete with taxis, Uber drivers, and Lyft drivers), and in Durham, the Parks and Recreation Department has used automated equipment for lawn services. Certain types of jobs will become automated. But that will open up opportunities for other types of jobs. We need to connect with employers to determine what those new jobs are and work with our residents so that they understand what they need to do in order to be prepared for those jobs.

On my website, I have a plan called The 60th (www.votesheliahuggins.com). It discusses how to align jobs and housing; because there is no home that’s affordable if you can’t find a job or don’t have an income to pay for it.

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Scot MacIver

1. How often do you currently walk, bike, and/or ride transit in Durham?  What prevents you from doing so more often?

I do not ever use the public transit in Durham. This is due to my ability to walk to everything in downtown Durham including work. I have a car I use for grocery shopping or when I need to run anyerrands that are further than a mile.

2. If we can achieve it, what would transportation equity look like to you?

I think transportation equity would be availability to all, along with affordability of course. I think the biggest hurdle is not having enough routes and not having current routes ran enough throughout the day. We are not Chicago, but I believe the option to catch the next bus or train in 5-20 mins is the resiliency and availability I think Durham needs to strive to obtain in the long term.

3. Vision Zero is a safe systems approach to traffic safety that does not accept that traffic fatalities or serious injuries are inevitable.  Durham's City Council initially endorsed Vision Zero in 2017.  In 2017, the five year average of motor vehicle crash fatalities was 26/year, including 5 people walking and 1 person biking.  The most recent 5-year average through 2022, is 32 killed per year, including 7 people walking and fortunately fewer than 1 person killed per year while biking.  Do you endorse Vision Zero and, if so, what will you do to advance the City's progress toward zero deaths or serious injuries?

I believe better crosswalks, shorter crosswalks, and more separation from vehicles and pedestrians is needed. We should have more promenades that don’t allow cars around downtown areas, and ensure the crosswalks we have over large boulevards are tunneled or elevated. Costs of infrastructure are obviously a huge limiting factor.

4. What are your priorities for improvements to Durham's transit and paratransit services so they can meet the needs of more Durham residents, starting with current transit riders and workers?

(No response)

5. Given that the most dangerous streets and roads in Durham are state-owned, requiring NCDOT approval before changes can be made, what ideas do you have for changing the City's relationship with the NCDOT in order to make our streets safer for all users?

Somehow we need to work towards a collaborative effort so the benefits we provide to our citizens also provides a benefit to NCDOT.

6. What are the most important initiatives on your agenda to lead Durham in mitigating the impacts of climate change? With which organizations will you partner to amplify these efforts?

(No Response)

7. Many transportation infrastructure projects have taken ten or more years for the City to complete.  What will you do to hold City staff accountable to timely completion of the commitments of the Durham Transit Plan and the City's Capital Improvement Program?

I believe it takes a steady effort of staying on top of the initiatives we promised to the public, but also a commitment by City staff to honor the agreements they made even if they will not be here at the completion.

8. Would you support policies and investments to make sustainable transportation options - such as walking, biking, and riding transit - more accessible and appealing to everyone in Durham?  If so, what would your priorities be?

Yes, I believe transportation is expensive, but it is the first and most important domino to fall when planning/developing a city. I would prioritize all multimodal forms of transit and highly deter the private vehicle.

9. How do you propose working across various agencies (ie - City Parks & Rec, Durham Public Schools, etc) to improve walking and biking access to schools, parks, and other locations in our region?

I believe it takes collaboration and bringing all parties to the table to explain how us all working together will lead to us all doing better.

10. The costs of housing and transportation are the two highest expenses for many households.  Please outline your policy and investment priorities for addressing the challenges of ensuring that everyone has access to housing that they can afford in places where they are connected to the rest of Durham and the region through public transit, walking, and biking.

I believe this is one of the most difficult problems to solve. I fully agree that housing is too expensive, and support affordable housing. However, I do not have a plan on how you invest and create amenities in an area while also keeping prices locked in at an affordable rate.

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Aalayah Sanders

Disclaimer: My responses are a direct reflection of my current perspective related to these subject matters. Each however, may be subject to change with further research, additional training and community feedback if appointed.

1. How often do you currently walk, bike, and/or ride transit in Durham?  What prevents you from doing so more often?

One of my favorite things to do during my breaks in the work week and on the weekends is to walk downtown Durham. I often walk the area at least 3-4 times a week. Due to usually being dressed up and working on a tight schedule I normally don’t have the capacity to Bike or ride the transit. The inconvenience of waiting for the next transit or profusely sweating before an important meeting prevents me from ultimately engaging more often.

2. If we can achieve it, what would transportation equity look like to you?

Transportation equity ultimately looks like the alleviation of any negative stigmas that may be associated with biking or riding our local transportation services. It is worthy to consider reallocation of the city transportation budget to include funding for additional bike lanes and safer routes for those who choose not to drive. Success can also look like creating partnerships with Uber and Lyft for additional options for those who may have time sensitive locations to reach.

3. Vision Zero is a safe systems approach to traffic safety that does not accept that traffic fatalities or serious injuries are inevitable.  Durham's City Council initially endorsed Vision Zero in 2017.  In 2017, the five year average of motor vehicle crash fatalities was 26/year, including 5 people walking and 1 person biking.  The most recent 5-year average through 2022, is 32 killed per year, including 7 people walking and fortunately fewer than 1 person killed per year while biking.  Do you endorse Vision Zero and, if so, what will you do to advance the City's progress toward zero deaths or serious injuries?

As a parent who often enjoys walking my son in the stroller, it’s important that I support Vision Zero to ensure safety for those who share similar related hobbies. 

4. What are your priorities for improvements to Durham's transit and paratransit services so they can meet the needs of more Durham residents, starting with current transit riders and workers?

To best improve our transit services, it would be ideal to prioritize a route to specifically aid our workers in the downtown Durham area. A route that encompasses Main Street and W. Chapel Hill Street in Durham to assist workers with transportation to offices, coffee shops and other businesses. This will ultimately and hopefully help aid in the overall work/living experience. To reach more residents we could advocate to leverage partnerships again with Lyft and Uber to serve additional immediate needs. 

5. Given that the most dangerous streets and roads in Durham are state-owned, requiring NCDOT approval before changes can be made, what ideas do you have for changing the City's relationship with the NCDOT in order to make our streets safer for all users?

Most partnerships are relationship based. I would prioritize meetings with NCDOT decision makers and include/consider them for related policies and discussions within our council. 

6. What are the most important initiatives on your agenda to lead Durham in mitigating the impacts of climate change? With which organizations will you partner to amplify these efforts?

The preservation of our communities trees and trails play a pivotal role to our overall quality of life. If appointed to council, I will advocate for us to continue to work closely with nonprofit organizations such as Trees Durham and community advocates to educate our residents on best practices for proper disposal/recycling, community clean up days, and innovative ideas surrounding the use of recyclable items to create a greener and cleaner Durham.

7. Many transportation infrastructure projects have taken ten or more years for the City to complete.  What will you do to hold City staff accountable to timely completion of the commitments of the Durham Transit Plan and the City's Capital Improvement Program?

If appointed, I will advocate for quarterly progress meetings, partnered with action items from each gathering to ensure we are reaching goals that yield timely results. 

8. Would you support policies and investments to make sustainable transportation options - such as walking, biking, and riding transit - more accessible and appealing to everyone in Durham?  If so, what would your priorities be?

Transportation is a vital resource and necessity for all residents. If appointed, I would intentionally research the utilization of all current modes of transportation and ways to ultimately optimize usage. Priorities will also include the evaluation of transportation possibilities which results in quicker travel time.

9. How do you propose working across various agencies (ie - City Parks & Rec, Durham Public Schools, etc) to improve walking and biking access to schools, parks, and other locations in our region?

As Durham continues to progress in development, we must integrate and include the plans for walking, biking and even scooter accessibility. This can be collaboratively accomplished by including city representatives from various agencies in the planning process.

10. The costs of housing and transportation are the two highest expenses for many households.  Please outline your policy and investment priorities for addressing the challenges of ensuring that everyone has access to housing that they can afford in places where they are connected to the rest of Durham and the region through public transit, walking, and biking.

Affordable housing is a pressing issue in our community. In hopes to foster true affordability, we can start by prioritizing the needs of our housing authority, partnering with nonprofits that specialize in homeless and housing opportunity services to create holistic wraparound programs, and lastly requiring/seeking developers and property management companies that will prioritize affordable rents and housing choice voucher participation. In conjunction with these priorities, we will also need to include a plan for transportation accessibility for all development plans.

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Chastan Swain

1. How often do you currently walk, bike, and/or ride transit in Durham?  What prevents you from doing so more often?

I am fortunate to live in a neighborhood that has fairly good sidewalks that connect it to the West End and downtown corridors. Our home’s walkability score of 66 was a consideration when we chose where to live in Durham. However, I know that our walkability and new bike corridors are a luxury that many communities in Durham do not have. I personally don’t bike too much in the urban core, (excluding trips down the American Tobacco Trail), because I am wary of the high speed corridors and lack of consistent bike lanes. Improving walkability and multimodal corridors would be a high priority if I were appointed to council.

2. If we can achieve it, what would transportation equity look like to you?

Transportation equity would look like equal access to public transit and multimodal corridors throughout the city. Durham is a long way from this aspirational goal but generational investments through the federal IIJA and IRA, as well as advocacy at the state level and support from city divisions could move us dramatically toward the goal. I’ve seen best practices from communities that develop transportation equity through a node network, which promotes working outward from existing “nodes” of walkable and bike friendly neighborhoods to cover all underserved areas. This appears to be more effective than an ad hoc project approach because it creates sustainable areas that can fully support car independence as the city progresses towards its goal.

3. Vision Zero is a safe systems approach to traffic safety that does not accept that traffic fatalities or serious injuries are inevitable.  Durham’s City Council initially endorsed Vision Zero in 2017.  In 2017, the five year average of motor vehicle crash fatalities was 26/year, including 5 people walking and 1 person biking.  The most recent 5-year average through 2022, is 32 killed per year, including 7 people walking and fortunately fewer than 1 person killed per year while biking.  Do you endorse Vision Zero and, if so, what will you do to advance the City’s progress toward zero deaths or serious injuries?

I would absolutely support the Vision Zero initiative if on council. Durham’s core and arteries have so many vestiges of an auto dependent past that could be remedied through shifts in planning practices, improved infrastructure, and traffic calming measures. All of the measures could be addressed by the City in some capacity, and all of them would assist in reducing motor vehicle related fatalities.

4. What are your priorities for improvements to Durham's transit and paratransit services so they can meet the needs of more Durham residents, starting with current transit riders and workers?

I would need to familiarize myself with the annual and five year data of Durham’s current transit options, usage, and current build out plans before feeling confident in advocating for specific improvements, however I do support several overarching shifts in development like focusing increased density to support additional transit routes and frequency of routes, as well as supplemental transit options like Rapid Bus Transit in the absence of the previously planned light rail. For improvements to paratransit, a huge obstacle is awareness. Working with other communities around the state on their paratransit options, the main need identified over and over again is outreach. This is a relatively low cost solution that typically boosts use and awareness of services. That would be the area that I would start with.

5. Given that the most dangerous streets and roads in Durham are state-owned, requiring NCDOT approval before changes can be made, what ideas do you have for changing the City’s relationship with the NCDOT in order to make our streets safer for all users?

In my current role I assist local governments with state level relationships and advocacy of issues. This is a skillset that I’ve been able to hone over the past few years and I believe it would be a valuable skill set to have as a council member as the city strives to work with any state agency. In approaching the issue of state maintained roads, I would ensure that the city is adequately partnering with DOT to identify changes in the short and long term DOT plans that make the target roadways safer, prioritizing roadways with projects already slated in the plans, and then other high risk roadways. Additionally, identifying locally maintained roadways that can serve as alternate routes with built out multimodal infrastructure will assist in reducing the risk of more time intensive DOT projects.

6. What are the most important initiatives on your agenda to lead Durham in mitigating the impacts of climate change? With which organizations will you partner to amplify these efforts?

This effort reasonably will touch every city department and initiative. A few examples would include working with the planning department to guide density, parking, and transportation changes that reduce car dependency in any area possible. Another area would be neighborhood resiliency, addressing the stormwater and urban canopy deficits in historically low income and minority neighborhoods (that continue to experience infrastructure deficits that date back to red lining and also struggle with higher flooding risk due to placement in low lying areas along creeks and floodplains).

7. Many transportation infrastructure projects have taken ten or more years for the City to complete.  What will you do to hold City staff accountable to timely completion of the commitments of the Durham Transit Plan and the City's Capital Improvement Program?

I strongly believe that local government employees take on thankless jobs and they work diligently to support the communities they serve. Infrastructure projects in particular involve massive funding and implementation processes that are reliant on so many actors, many of which are outside of the city (or the state). However, efficiency is something that I will work to address on both infrastructure and CIP objectives. I have years of experience working with state programs and infrastructure projects, and I anticipate that this experience will translate well to these issues.

8. Would you support policies and investments to make sustainable transportation options - such as walking, biking, and riding transit - more accessible and appealing to everyone in Durham?  If so, what would your priorities be?

I would strive to support both. Access is an issue of infrastructure, and my positions on infrastructure development have been expressed above. Appeal is an issue of public perception, and that relies on outreach and programming. I believe the city has the capability to communicate programs and initiatives that support sustainable transit, to raise awareness for residents, but the city can also support and partner with experts in the field like Bike Durham who specialize in community level advocacy and specialized programming to advance public perception and appeal of sustainable transit.

9. How do you propose working across various agencies (ie - City Parks & Rec, Durham Public Schools, etc) to improve walking and biking access to schools, parks, and other locations in our region?

Task forces can be effective if a specific goal is identified, and they can have the benefit of combining voices and resources from multiple organizations. I frequently assist communities in identifying multiple complimentary programs/funding sources to support large projects. I see that tactic being effective in Durham when working with multiple organizations to accomplish a city wide sustainable transit network. Organizations have access to unique support programs and funding opportunities, but they infrequently work together to leverage large projects that have mutual benefit. I would hope to assist these orgs by working to create conglomerate projects that have a massive impact.

10. The costs of housing and transportation are the two highest expenses for many households.  Please outline your policy and investment priorities for addressing the challenges of ensuring that everyone has access to housing that they can afford in places where they are connected to the rest of Durham and the region through public transit, walking, and biking.

There is no panacea for the oppressive cost of housing and transportation, but there are many strategies that I would like to see the city employ to reduce the burden of housing and transit costs. I’m very interested in the success stories of other cities who have adopted small and quick strategies that are more nimble than large transit and housing initiatives. One best practice is the conversion of small city owned parcels into affordable housing as infill in neighborhoods across the city. The city of Durham owns many small parcels across the city that are underutilized and affordable housing could be built as infill parcels in these neighborhoods. This would address the need for affordable housing and justification for transportation by incrementally increasing density. Another housing option that I’ve assisted communities with in the state are housing co-ops that provide the opportunity of home ownership and equity while capping the sale price to ensure affordability for future buyers. The city could look into this model and identify local nonprofits to assist with it.

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Zoe Tishaev

1. How often do you currently walk, bike, and/or ride transit in Durham?  What prevents you from doing so more often?

All the time! I have a bike I bought 3 years ago from Durham Cycles that I often take to ride to class, home, or downtown for a night out. I am a frequent rider of the GoDurham routes 6 and 11 and a very frequent Amtrak user. I don’t own a car and try to drive as infrequently as possible. That said, I know not all people live in places where they can ride transit or bike. A lot of roads in Durham are hostile to cyclists. Many roads are poorly lit with fast posted speeds and unsafe space for cyclists (on my commutes: Erwin, Hillsborough and Cameron, to name a few), and last year Durham was ranked one of the least walkable cities in the United States. As the Bull City grows and changes, we need to build toward a human-centered Durham.

2. If we can achieve it, what would transportation equity look like to you?

The freedom to move around Durham for daily needs safely, accessibly, and reasonably efficiently, regardless of ability status or where you live in Durham.

3. Vision Zero is a safe systems approach to traffic safety that does not accept that traffic fatalities or serious injuries are inevitable.  Durham’s City Council initially endorsed Vision Zero in 2017.  In 2017, the five year average of motor vehicle crash fatalities was 26/year, including 5 people walking and 1 person biking.  The most recent 5-year average through 2022, is 32 killed per year, including 7 people walking and fortunately fewer than 1 person killed per year while biking.  Do you endorse Vision Zero and, if so, what will you do to advance the City’s progress toward zero deaths or serious injuries?

I heartily endorse Vision Zero. We should all be alarmed that our motor vehicle crash statistics, especially involving non-motorists, are moving in the wrong direction. I am most concerned that non-motorist deaths can fly under the radar and go completely uncovered. A central part of my platform is building up the relationship with Duke University for a better Durham for all of us. But in August, a cyclist was killed at the intersection of Anderson Street and Duke University Road without so much as an announcement from either Durham or Duke. This was a preventable tragedy. As Duke and Durham both look to reevaluate their walk/bike plans, we need to bring engineers from both parties under the same roof to establish a shared Vision Zero and concrete steps to get there! I think Duke can be an incredible partner in helping us achieve zero traffic deaths or major injuries from vehicle crashes.

On the City Council, I would work to:

• Partner with Duke and regional partners to unite pedestrian safety plans into a shared, comprehensive vision for the region

• Implement, at minimum, a 5-ft bike lane on any road with speeds over 30 mph and buffered and protected bike lanes for major thoroughfares. Every repaving of roads must include dedicated cyclist infrastructure.

• Expand lighting and visibility across Durham

• Negotiate with NCDOT city ownership of state roads that cut through the city so we can have more flexibility to implement safe infrastructure

4. What are your priorities for improvements to Durham's transit and paratransit services so they can meet the needs of more Durham residents, starting with current transit riders and workers?

• Increasing the frequency of service on high-usage routes, and explore opportunities in lesser-used routes where greater frequency will benefit the most people

• Extending the hours of operation for bus routes. Durham cannot build a bustling night life economy if bus routes stop at midnight. A midnight stop time also leaves our late-night essential workers high and dry and dependent on alternative modes of transportation.

• Expanding micromobility options (scooters, docked and dockless bikes) and explore providing discounts to vulnerable populations, building off the work of the e-bike pilot.

5. Given that the most dangerous streets and roads in Durham are state-owned, requiring NCDOT approval before changes can be made, what ideas do you have for changing the City’s relationship with the NCDOT in order to make our streets safer for all users?

I wrote about this very issue in a recent blog post. Durham needs to seriously investigate the benefits and costs of negotiating with NCDOT to buy back the high-traffic roads that cut through Durham. This is the best way we can have the flexibility to make major pedestrian and cyclist improvements to our major roadways.

We can follow the footsteps of our neighbors in Chapel Hill and Raleigh by converting our high- speed commercial stroads into pedestrian boulevards. To start, we need to bring together the region’s transportation planners in one room: I plan to bring together planners from GoDurham, NCDOT, Duke, NCCU, and Durham Tech in one room so all the different stakeholders in Durham can be unified in our vision on how we can build a more human-centered Durham.

6. What are the most important initiatives on your agenda to lead Durham in mitigating the impacts of climate change? With which organizations will you partner to amplify these efforts?

• Reduce car usage by creating more efficient and reliable bus routes, and revamping major roadways to be cyclist friendly to encourage more people to bike instead of drive

• Build dense, walkable housing. Dense housing is less resource intensive for the city than sprawl, requires less infrastructure to maintain, and discourages the usage of cars. Let’s build mixed-use and affordable housing in place of old and underutilized parking lots and upzone commercial nodes with potential

• Revisit and slim down our zoning code to ease the approval of direly-needed missing middle housing

7. Many transportation infrastructure projects have taken ten or more years for the City to complete.  What will you do to hold City staff accountable to timely completion of the commitments of the Durham Transit Plan and the City's Capital Improvement Program?

Concrete timelines and frequent communication with different city departments are crucial to understanding, and removing, major blockades to completing projects. Frequent meetings and building relationships with those responsible for executing the projects within the plans will help us stay accountable to residents and on track.

8. Would you support policies and investments to make sustainable transportation options - such as walking, biking, and riding transit - more accessible and appealing to everyone in Durham?  If so, what would your priorities be?

• Identify and rectify routes that frequently get off schedule. Frequency and reliability are the largest drivers of ridership. If a bus route cannot be counted on to arrive on schedule, people simply will not ride it.

• Ensure that every repaved road has high-quality cyclist infrastructure relevant to the land use. All major roadways should include a well-marked and protected bike lane

• Elevate the transit riding experience. Clean buses, outlets on board, and comfortable bus shelters go a long way in making riders feel safe and at ease.

Every person who rides GoDurham deserves to feel respected. I will prioritize implementing sun and rain shelters, trash cans, good seating, and basic sidewalk access to every stop in the GoDurham network

9. How do you propose working across various agencies (ie - City Parks & Rec, Durham Public Schools, etc) to improve walking and biking access to schools, parks, and other locations in our region?

• Work with key stakeholders (school principals, Parks & Rec) to identify, first, how people are currently getting to key areas, and what barriers exist to non-car alternatives

• Develop individualized plans for transit and cyclist infrastructure to key destinations in partnership with these stakeholders

• Move toward a 100% walk-to-school rate for students who live within a mile of their school, and work with DPS to identify failure points and plan safe infrastructure to allow this to happen

• Increase automated enforcement of speed limits in school zones

10. The costs of housing and transportation are the two highest expenses for many households.  Please outline your policy and investment priorities for addressing the challenges of ensuring that everyone has access to housing that they can afford in places where they are connected to the rest of Durham and the region through public transit, walking, and biking.

The abolition of parking minima in Durham is a huge win. We need to start converting places for cars into places for people! There are plenty of unused, vacant lots and underused parking lots that are prime opportunities for development of dense and affordable housing. I plan to:

• Repurpose existing, vacant land. Duke University owns 43 acres of land where used to be Central Campus just south of Erwin Road. Let’s work with Duke to build up this now-desolate space into a mixed-use, walkable development for the use of students, staff, and other residents, and create a new connection point between Duke and Durham

• Identify other auto-centric nodes around Durham that have overbuilt and underutilized parking and encourage a repurposing of the space (i.e South Point, New Hope Commons)

• Increase transit frequency and quality of transit to these nodes and explore Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

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Supporting Parents to Make Walking, Biking, and Rolling to School Safer in Durham

EK Powe mom crossing Ninth Street with bicycle

The morning commute for these EK Powe families looks a little different now that a bike train (also called “bike bus”) has been firmly established.  Every Wednesday morning, a group of parents and their children meet at the park in their neighborhood and bike together to school.  “My kids know that we value physical activity and bike riding to school is another way we can make a lifestyle choice that promotes sustainability,” said EK Powe parent Kyle Simmons. 

Photo of EK Powe parents David Bradway and Kyle Simmons with their bicycles and Kyle’s daughter peeking through

Another EK Powe parent, David Bradway, who also co-chairs the Bike Durham Advocacy Committee, partnered with staff at Bike Durham and EK Powe Physical Education Coach Walker in the Fall to include the bike train in the school’s Walk and Roll to School Day.  Now David, and his daughter, Amelia, are the first to arrive Wednesday morning, radio on and energy high as they greet the other parents and students.

Pulling out at 7:45am the short ride has them at school in plenty of time for the morning bell.  The parents often grab coffee after the drop off, “Bike riding and walking to school together is a way to build community,” said Scotty Mathess, long time bike advocate and EK Powe parent.

Through our Safe Routes to School Bike and Walk Safety programs and support of both the Fall and Spring Walk, Bike and Roll to school events, Bike Durham is implementing a broader strategy to engage parents, and the school community to identify the barriers to increased bicycling and walking and to effectively advocate for change.  

In 2022, Bike Durham, with a grant from Duke Doing Good in the Neighborhood, conducted walk audits with the Old West Durham and Watts Hospital-Hillandale neighborhoods in developing a traffic calming plan.  Safety issues on 9th street in front of the school were obvious and we recommended strategies to slow traffic and “daylight” the crosswalks.

The community successfully lobbied for infrastructure investment and this Fall the city has used “daylighting” to make the mid-block crosswalk more visible by using posts to block off parking within 20-feet.  They have also shortened the crossing distance on Knox Street by closing off a right-turn “slip lane” with new posts.  The city and school system are working to install additional bike racks on campus.  In addition, the speed in front of the school has been reduced from 35 to 25 matching the speed limit in front of the shops on 9th street.  Building on the momentum, Bike Durham recently met with parents to hear other ideas like shutting the street down during drop off and pick up which would increase safety.

Our goal is to replicate this strategy of building relationships through our bike and walk safety classes; bring school-wide, ‘Walk Bike and Roll’ events to more DPS schools to increase awareness around the benefits; identify and partner with parent leaders to conduct safety audits; and lend our support to effectively advocate and realize needed changes.  

“Starting with kids getting to and from school is starting with the foundational and basic trip that every individual has taken throughout their childhood and educational career, notes Jacopo Montobbio, Bike Durham Education Program Manager, Safe Routes to School is about putting policies, physical infrastructure, and programs in place to enable families to choose to walk and bike to school, as well as other places, safely.”

Kristen Brookshire, the community transportation planner for DPS, believes that advocating for Safe Routes to School isn't just benefiting the students, but the community in Durham as a whole.  “If we’re making it better for kids, it’s going to be better for everyone,” said Brookshire. “It’s going to be better for the parent with a stroller. It’s going to be better for the grandfather with a cane. It’s going to be better for the person trying to get to work.”

Bike Durham will continue to work to deepen partnerships with the 13 schools receiving our bike and walk safety program this school year.  We are making strides now to conduct a safety audit at Eastway Elementary.  The community around Hope Valley Elementary school held a summer block party with a main topic of conversation focused on how to safely walk and bike to school; they are interested in learning from the leaders of the bike train at EK Powe.  Bike Durham serves an integral role in connecting parents and partners to learn from one another and build a network of families advocating for increased investment in bike and pedestrian infrastructure to ensure accessibility and safety for all families in Durham.

If you would like to help lead efforts to increase walking, bicycling and rolling to your school and within your community, please email us at saferoutes@bikedurham.org with the subject line Safe Routes to Schools.