Team BFOC interviewed both of Dallas’s mayoral candidates to learn their positions on bicycling initiatives, and complete streets efforts in the city. Below is our Q&A with David Kunkle. Click here to view candidate Mike Rawling’s interview. Side note: Both candidates have agreed to join us on our upcoming “Hellhound on My Trail” Blues History Bike Ride on June 12th.
Bicycle & Alternative Transportation:
Q. How often do you use your bike for transportation?
A. I own 4 bicycles (two hybrids, one race bike and one mountain bike) I generally ride one of the bicycles 3-4 times a week. Not only is it great exercise, it is a wonderful way to experience my neighborhood in a different way. I live close to the Katy Trail, Santa Fe Trail and White Rock Lake, so I enjoy all three trails. Additionally, my wife and I enjoy riding our bikes through Deep Ellum and over the viaduct to North Oak Cliff. We also enjoy riding our bikes to neighborhood restaurants.
Q. As mayor, how would you encourage more people to use bikes for transportation?
A. By example. If I am elected Mayor, I will ride my bike to City Hall often and encourage others to join me.
Q. What infrastructure changes would you prioritize to improve safety for cyclists?
A. The bicycle lanes in NYC seem to be problematic for cyclists. I actually favor wider streets with more street parking to help calm traffic.
Q. What elements of the bike plan would you give priority to?
A. Connectivity and Complete Streets
Q. Would you support bike lanes or transit improvements that might reduce capacity and cause vehicular delay during peak periods if safety was improved for bicyclists and transit riders?
A. Yes.
Q. Tell us about your favorite cycling experience.
A. Riding my bike around White Rock Lake, which I do 3-4 times a week. It’s relaxing and I enjoy watching how the community comes together at the Lake, from the runners and cyclists, to families enjoying the parks.
Q. As mayor, how would you encourage people to use alternative transportation?
A. Again, by example. In addition to my bike, I also ride my Vespa frequently. My wife and I also enjoy taking DART. It’s important for everyone to recognize how easy (and fun) it is to use alternative modes of transportation.
Q. If gasoline goes permanently to $5 a gallon or more, what do you think will change about how people use transportation in Dallas? What changes would you make personally?
A. Personally, I already use my bike and Vespa quite a bit. We also live in a neighborhood where we can walk to restaurants and shopping. Hopefully more people will start making DART a more regular part of their transportation strategy.
Complete Streets & Livability:
Q. As mayor, how would you improve livability in the city?
A. By focusing on and celebrating individual communities. We need to embrace the aspects of our neighborhoods that make us unique. I strongly support the concept of “thinking small”. I believe North Oak Cliff is the best example of creating sustainable inner city neighborhoods. City Hall must do a better job of recognizing how we can best help communities grow organically- the City cannot be an impediment to neighborhood growth.
Q. Many in Dallas are frustrated with the lack of progress on the Trinity River project. What changes would you consider making to the plan and what priorities do you have for the project?
A. My number one priority will be to kill the Trinity Toll Road. We need to stop spending money and energy on a project that should not and likely will not be built. We must close that subject once and for all so it will stops diverting time and energy from the overall Trinity River Project. The safety of the levees is my first priority, next I will focus on making the Trinity Parks and Trails a reality for our citizens.
Q. If you had $100 to invest in ways to improve neighborhood streets in Dallas how much of it would you spend on:
making it safer $30
making it easy to park $10
putting in bike lanes $15
putting in sidewalks $15
putting in more businesses and stores $20
putting in more greenery $10
What other improvements would you invest in? Streetcars
Q. Thinking about City of Dallas Departments – what will be the biggest challenges for them as the Complete Streets plan is created? And what do you anticipate will be the biggest challenges from an implementation stand point?
A. People need to understand the Complete Streets concept and establish consensus around it – not just in Urban neighborhoods, but throughout the entire city. City Departments will carry out the direction they get from elected officials and I will be a strong advocate to make sure our city staff facilitates the Complete Streets vision. I run on the streets, walk my dogs, ride my bike and scooter: I personally spend quite a bit of time on our streets and experience the value of improving access and mobility to all street users.
Q. What do you like and not like generally about streets in the City of Dallas overall?
A. The streets in Dallas have been neglected for too long. Throughout the City of Dallas, our streets are crumbling. We must make improving our streets a priority. Potholes create dangerous driving conditions and damage to cars, but they also promote the image of a city that is neglected. For convenience, safety and property values, we must make it a goal to dramatically improve our streets and adopt the Complete Streets philosophy. This will help people become healthier and create safer and more livable neighborhoods.
Q. What are the drawbacks and what concerns do you have about complete streets for Dallas?
A. Some parts of the city may not embrace the vision. We need to educate the entire city on the long term benefits Complete Streets will create.
Q. If you had friends visiting Dallas for the first time where would you take them, what would you show them?
A. First stop on the tour is always Bishop Arts. I love neighborhoods and I enjoy sharing the stories of neighborhood successes. From a beat cop to my time as police chief, I spend a large portion of y time exploring neighborhoods in all parts of our city. I am also very proud of my own M Streets Conservation District, which includes he largest collection of Tudor homes in the United States.
Bike Friendly Oak Cliff 
[…] initiatives, and complete streets efforts in the city. Below is our Q&A with Mike Rawlings. Click here to view candidate David Kunkle’s […]
[…] Originally posted here: BFOC's Q&A with Dallas Mayoral Candidate David Kunkle « Bike … […]
Huh? Wider streets with more parking? How is that going to make things better for cyclists?
Thanks for this. I wasn’t planning to vote but this changed my mind. Kunkle comes off much more authentic than Rawlings and seems like he’ll be an ally on the complete streets front. And yeah the wider streets thing makes no sense but it sounds like he’ll be open to education and options. I know it’s a long shot, but add a vote to the Kunkle pile.
Kunkle sounds like the real deal. And what a ding-dang shame, because the majority of Dallas voters never like “real.” The majority of Dallas voters have shown time and again that they like to be sold a bill of goods. Kunkle’s answers are exactly what I would have said – and I’m Suzy Q. Public. I’m not wealthy; I believe Dallas residents are the most invested members of the community – anyone (business owners, etc.) can be a “citizen” of the city – but ONLY “residents” LIVE here. That’s why Kunkle’s answer to “…1st place you’d take a visitor” was so spot on. He would take them to his neighborhood – where he LIVES. So, so, so sadly … This sounds a little too “real” for the big bunch of phoney baloney that is the Dallas majority voter. Maybe, some day, when something more than 11% of Dallas “residents” care enough to vote in a municipal election, we can get a “real” man or woman elected as mayor.
[…] Rawlings stays on message and gives brief, sometimes repetitive answers to the questions, Kunkle goes out on a limb with thoughtful and thorough responses. My favorite response from Kunkle: Q. As mayor, how would you […]
Actually Stuart, wider streets is better for all of us. The parked cars form a barrier that protect the pedestrians, and wider streets means that vehicles and bicycles could exist side to side on the same lane.
Also, I wasn’t going to vote because I didn’t know either of the candidates. But this Q&A cover many subjects in which I am interested in improving in Dallas. I certainly know who I am going to vote for now. Go Kunkle.
Narrow lanes encourage slower speeds. Parked cars present a hazard to cyclists when opening doors.
Are you suggesting that cars often run over pedestrians on the sidewalk?
[…] ends tomorrow, and Election day is Saturday, June 18th. Also, check out our Q&A’s with Kunkle and […]