Below are the responses of at-large council candidates and one vice-mayoral candidate to a questionnaire developed specifically for educating the members and supporters of Walk/Bike Nashville. All candidates were offered the opportunity to participate in this process and requested to limit answers to three sentences. Responses are delivered verbatim and in the order in which they were received. Walk/Bike Nashville makes no endorsements of candidates or political parties and offers this information strictly for public education purposes. We hope these answer prove to be helpful in your consideration of how best to cast your vote.

1. Public Transportation in Nashville is limited. How do you propose the city increase access to improve efficiency of the current transit options?

• Vice-Mayor Candidate Diane Neighbors: First and foremost we must continue to find ways to increase the number of citizens using public transportation.  Many companies are offering free bus passes to their employees and more need to do so.  We need smaller buses, shorter routes, and more direct routes.
• At-Large Candidate Charlie Tygard: Successful marketing of Music City Star to increase ridership will accelerate other light rail/commuter rail options. Creating more public/private partnerships (similar to what MTA has done with State of TN/Vanderbilt/Belmont University, etc) will lead to more routes, greater profitability, etc for MTA. Making sure routes to commuters’ places of business from new hub are designed efficiently.
• At-Large Candidate Jonathan Davidson: The Nashville MTA is currently over halfway through it's current five year plan for expansion and numerous scheduled service improvements have not been implemented due to skyrocketing fuel costs. The question is not "How?", since the MTA has already formulated a wise plan, but rather, "Where do we find the political will to greatly increase funding?". The MTA Board refuses to raise fares, although each ride is already 75% taxpayer funded, and I believe that expanded taxpayer funding will be politically contingent on a fare increase by the MTA Board.
• At-Large Candidate Peter Westerholm: My campaign theme of ‘Smart Growth, Smart Nashville” seeks to address this very concern.  By encouraging growth towards higher density/mixed use development along major arteries, we will make mass transit more conducive.   We must look ahead and begin preparing for a densely populated series of urban areas with sufficient mass transit going between them.
• At-Large Candidate Dave Pelton: I'd like to see dedicated bus lanes.  It will make the bus rides shorter and improve traffic flow.  I talk about this in my economic development plan published at www.DavePelton.com.  There is a connection between successful transportation and economic stability.
• At-Large Candidate Tim Garrett: Try to secure funds for light rail, which should address the next two corridors going toward Murfreesboro and next toward Hendersonville. Maintain and increase bus transportation. Do our best to maintain federal and state funds.
• At-Large Candidate Philip Hostettler: I come from an Aviation background, but I believe that we should start using the rail system, but make sure they have a toileting facility on each.  It would be nice if more people rode bikes or jogged to work, but as of now, there is not enough bike trails and/or routes for bikers/runners.
• At-Large Candidate Jim Boyd: To improve efficiency of MTA, we should increase ridership.  To increase ridership, we should implement a 'frequent flyer' program with the associated marketing to generate interest.  Occasionally, I ride the #8 and the #10 to and from work.  As long as buses remain clean and free of crime, I believe we can really sell them to non-traditional riders (especially with gas so high)!  With more riders, we will get more Federal Government funding and more routes and stops.

2. Tennessee ranks sixth in the nation for high obesity rates. Nashville is no stranger to this epidemic. Walking and biking can significantly impact a person's weight and health. A survey conducted at 4th Annual Tour de Nash revealed that the majority of citizens either don't feel safe walking or biking around the community or simply lack motivation. How do you propose the city create a safer environment for walking and biking? Will you support public education and awareness campaigns designed to motivate?

• Vice-Mayor Candidate Diane Neighbors: We must continue to expand our greenways system and increase the number of bike lanes in all neighborhoods.  It is imperative that we motivate all children and youth to walk and bike in order to curb childhood obesity rates.  Yes I would support public education and awareness campaigns.
• At-Large Candidate Charlie Tygard: As the sponsor of the original legislation creating Greenways in Nashville in 1992 (and being honored by Greenways for Nashville with a “Lifetime Achievement Award”), I have seen how meaningful and important linked/safe trails can be for communities and neighborhoods, both from a health standpoint, but also a quality of life viewpoint. Certainly, the Metro Police Dept. and Metro Parks Dept. need to be fully staffed and trained so that streets and trails are safe – in reality and perception. I would certainly support and participate in public education and awareness campaigns.
• At-Large Candidate Jonathan Davidson: Safer biking is dependent on traffic law enforcement and safer walking is dependent on law enforcement generally, and we must be willing to spend more, and even tax more, in order to have more police as well as the better school system that is the true answer to crime. I think that exercising a little courage and walking through your neighborhood will help reduce crime in your area. Americans have gotten too soft, in ways other than physical.  Yes, and mailing a flyer about bike lanes and bicycle safety to every registered driver would be an obvious and cheap first measure. 
• At-Large Candidate Peter Westerholm: What really matters is reaching out to those who did not participate in the Tour de Nash or other similar events that promote good health for the individual, as well as the collective health of our city.  Most certainly, we have made progress in the safety and availability of bike lanes, but we must continue to do more.  I would advocate for more bicycle education in our state driving courses to educate our drivers of how to handle bicyclists in traffic, and try, through our schools, to educate cyclists as to the proper habits they should follow.
• At-large Candidate Dave Pelton: As I mentioned when I spoke at the annual meeting, just crossing West End from my office to the sandwich shop is risking my life.  The greenways are a start but they are more of a weekend thing right now. Bike lanes on major streets would help.  West End, Gallatin Road, Charlotte Pike, and Murfreesboro Road would be a good start.  I set up my office so employees can walk, bike, jog to work or during their lunch break and still have a full bathroom and shower to clean up for business. It's a partnership between employers and employees.
• At-Large Candidate Tim Garrett: Supporting public education is obvious and starting with the school system, a captive audience. As far as walking is concerned, making that available, attractive and safe, especially through the greenway system is key. We should probably try to add lighting to the greenway system. As far as bikes are concerned, there are certain areas of the city where biking is possible without narrowing and we need to focus attention on encouraging the council.
• At-Large Candidate Philip Hostettler: As a matter of fact they need to take all soda pops and junk food out of all schools and bring back exercising in P.E./Gym classes.
• At-Large Candidate Jim Boyd: Place more Metro police (or citizen volunteers) on walking routes.  Create more designated bike lanes as they did in Murfreesboro.

3. Do you believe children in Nashville should be able to walk or bike to school? If so, how do you propose to help create safer routes to schools?

• Vice-Mayor Candidate Diane Neighbors: Yes I believe that children should be able to walk or bike to school if the school they are attending is in their neighborhood.  As stated previously more bike lanes are needed and more sidewalks.  This is an issue that we must look at neighborhood by neighborhood and school by school.
• At-Large Candidate Charlie Tygard: As an elementary school student living a mile and half away from Parmer Elementary School, I regularly rode my bike to school from the 5th grade on during suitable weather. Certainly, if the Metro School Board truly is serious about neighborhood schools, then walking or riding to school would be a viable option. School crossing guards and sidewalks/walking trails would be essential for public safety (perhaps with an organized parent effort similar to “Neighborhood Watch” in place to supplement Police/Parks officers).
• At-Large Candidate Jonathan Davidson: That would be nice, but since Nashville has a 30% high school dropout rate, I believe that over the next four years we should focus on what happens once the kids get to school. Once we have repaired our broken school system, we will have less crime and hopefully our children's children will be able to safely walk to school in many more neighborhoods.  Please keep in mind that the question of neighborhood schools has also racial de-segregation implications, not to mention the necessary busing of children with special gifts or challenges to appropriate magnet or alternative schools.
• At-Large Candidate Peter Westerholm: When it comes to walking/bicycle safety, providing safe lanes and sidewalks is a beginning, followed by addressing where students live in regards to where they go to school.   As much as we can encourage students to ride or walk to school, there may be geographic (either distance or incline) matters that discourage this practice.   It may be helpful to encourage teachers to ride their bikes into work, thereby allowing them to use their position of influence and trust to educate students on best practices.
• At-Large Candidate Dave Pelton: My children walk to school.  I specifically moved to a neighborhood that was pedestrian friendly.  Safety is part planning and part community action.  Sidewalks, bike lanes and crosswalks only work if drivers understand and respect their presence.
• At-Large Candidate Tim Garrett: When I was raised, I walked to both elementary and junior high and could easily bike. In today’s climate the school system would have to impress upon those children and we would have to build more neighborhood style schools in order to make it more accessible. This is a long-term project - going back to neighborhood schools.
• At-Large Candidate Philip Hostettler: Yes that would be great, we would have to go back to community schools which I am all for.  That would mean the parents and the community would have to be more involved and that is what I have been campaigning for.
• At-Large Candidate Jim Boyd: I just had a baby girl last August and I couldn't currently imagine her safely walking or biking to school with all the nutjobs out there.  We'd have to change our society's attitudes for the days of 1950's neighborhood safety to return.  Outside of having a policeman standing every 100 yards or so along the route, I don't see how today we could safely let our children bike or walk to school.  I know I wouldn't let my dear, sweet baby do it.  So for me to recommend it for your children would be disingenuous.  If a parent wanted their child to walk or bike to school, I'd not support passing a law taking that choice away from them, but I'd strongly discourage the practice.

4. Traffic is a major problem throughout the city. How do you propose the city address this issue?

• Vice Mayor Candidate Diane Neighbors: There is no simple, local solution to the traffic problems facing Nashville.  This is an issue that requires state, federal, and local planning and financing.  On a very simple level, we as a city can improve our mass transit system and encourage car-pooling.
• At-Large Candidate Charlie Tygard: Reducing urban sprawl by creating incentives for “infill” projects within the city limits for affordable housing. Maximizing existing capacity of roads thru more efficient timing of traffic signals, creating reversible lanes on major thoroughfares and targeting congested intersections with turn lanes. Encouraging more neighborhood office parks and working places along bus routes so that citizens can work closer to homes or more public transportation-friendly locations.
• At-Large Canididate Jonathan Davidson: I have advocated a 40% per year increase in MTA service and I am going to fight for that. It will take that much of an increase just to get the five-year plan back on track. I also advocate rapid completion of our commuter rail expansion plan, but secondary to bus service since bus service utilizes existing roads and does not require extensive track repair.
• At-Large Candidate Peter Westerholm: Encouraging higher density, mixed-use development along major arteries rather than sprawl will make mass transit more conducive, especially if we use this tool as a means to improve our supply of affordable housing.  By encouraging more affordable housing spread out into more parts of town (as opposed to concentrations in certain areas) people will be spending less time and money on transit, and congestion will be relieved.  A shuttle bus system in our urban core that offers frequent service along a small loop will provide urban residents transit options sufficient enough to keep them out of their cars for the short trips.
• At-Large Candidate Dave Pelton: Some intersections will need major work.  It may require some tough decisions on how traffic flows but that is the price of growth.  We will eventually need to separate local traffic from through traffic.
• At-Large Council Candidate Tim Garrett: Continue to urge our federal and state representatives to fund the transportation system at a local basis to help ease our traffic problems in Nashville. For example, we need to continue the 840 fund to take traffic around the city of Nashville, thereby reducing heavy through-traffic.
• At-Large Candidate Philip Hostettler: One way to handle it immediately is to ask big corporations to change their hours to 7-4, 8-5 or 9-6, that way different people are arriving at different times.
• At-Large Candidate Jim Boyd: See #1 above.  Better market and offer better rates for MTA 'frequent flyers.'

5. Will you support and take steps to implement the Strategic Plan for Sidewalks and Bikeways adopted by the city in 2003? Why?

• Vice-Mayor Candidate Diane Neighbors: Yes.  The primary reasons for supporting the plan are safety, health and wellness, and environmental.  We need to connect our neighborhoods and ensure a high quality of life for all of our citizens.
• At-Large Candidate Charlie Tygard: Yes. Although Nashville has made some progress in re-striping roads for bike lanes and adding sidewalks, there are still too many “gaps”, i.e. non-striped lanes or without sidewalks, to be effective. Continued funding, both with local funding and applying for federal/state grants, is essential for the long-term success of the program, for all the reasons provided above – relieving congestion, a healthier population, etc.
• At-Large Candidate Jonathan Davidson: Sure. It is part and parcel of our common goals of strategic oil independence, a cleaner environment, a more physically and mentally fit populace, closer communities and broadly speaking, a culture of peace.
• At-Large Candidate Peter Westerholm: To the greatest extent possible, I would be proud to implement the plan for sidewalks and bikeways.  I do believe that our bikeways and sidewalks are excellent returns on investment, saving us dollars in road maintenance as well as health costs.  They often improve the quality of life in neighborhoods, which improves property values. 
• At-Large Candidate Dave Pelton: Yes. It is a common sense approach to dealing with these problems.  Our community was more pedestrian friendly 50 years ago than it is today.  Our growth is exciting but we must be smart about it.  I want my children to be safe in my neighborhood and around town at their friend's homes.
• At-Large Candidate Tim Garrett: Yes. During y previous years in both the council and the State House I supported these efforts. My voting record reveals my dedication to these issues.
• At-Large Candidate Philip Hostettler: Yes, the sidewalks and the bikeways would get more people out and involved in their communities.
• At-Large Candidate Jim Boyd: no response

The following did not respond to our questionnaire:

• Carolyn Baldwin Tucker, Vice-Mayor Candidate
• Linda W. Perry, Vice-Mayor Candidate
• Brady Banks, At-Large Candidate
• Megan Barry, At-Large Candidate
• Luther Beckett, At-large Candidate
• Ken Berryhill, At-Large Candidate
• Luvenia Harrison Butler, At-Large Candidate
• Richard Exton, At-Large Candidate
• Ronnie Greer, Sr., At-Large Candidate
• Saletta A. Holloway, At-Large Candidate
• Michael V. Kerstetter, At-Large Candidate
• J.B. Loring, At-Large Candidate
• James A. Maxwell, At-Large Candidate
• Jerry Maynard, At-Large Candidate
• J. Gower Mills, At-Large Candidate
• Steve Reiter, At-Large Candidate
• Tony Robers, At-Large Candidate
• Ronnie Steine, At-Large Candidate
• John Summers, At-Large Candidate
• James Turner, II, At-Large Candidate
• Maurice “Moe” Walker, At-Large Candidate