November 2024 Election 2024 Sausalito City Council Candidate Questionnaire

Vision

2. In your own words, describe your vision for the future of transportation in your city/town and Marin County at large.

Melissa Blaustein:

My vision for Sausalito and Marin County is rooted in the idea that we can create a modern transportation system that works for everyone. I’ve traveled to cities and countries around the world that have made smart, future-oriented investments in transportation infrastructure—places where safe, sustainable alternatives to driving aren’t just encouraged but truly embraced. The difference is profound, and it’s clear that with the right leadership, we can achieve that here.

In Sausalito, our transportation infrastructure was designed for a different era. Our streets weren’t built to accommodate the variety of mobility options we have today, and that’s why I’m committed to making them safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. This isn’t just about adding bike lanes or reconfiguring streets—it’s about fundamentally rethinking how we move through and interact with our public spaces. I want to see us invest in separated bike paths, traffic-calming measures, and improved public transit.

Sandra Bushmaker:

In Sausalito, we have an aging population who wishes to age in place. I see green shuttle services for our elderly residents and young children. We are a hill side community and we need safe transport for both ends of the age spectrum. The lack of sidewalks in the hills, makes pedestrian traffic dangerous for some residents.

Ian Sobieski:

The bike versus car debate is a fallacy. It is a consequence of ad hoc design that bunches bikes and cars together with a minimum of thought. Most roads get *safer* for cars when there are traffic calming measures, sidewalks, and bike management features. They are also safer for bikes. Win-win outcomes like these come from design. My vision is to break zero-sum game thinking and create a transportation network that better serves all users—cyclists, pedestrians, drivers, and looks ahead to emerging transportation modes like scooters, one-wheels, and e-bikes. We need to invest in safer, well-integrated infrastructure that encourages biking and walking while reducing dependence on cars.

Steven Woodside:

My vision for Sausalito and Marin is rooted in community collaboration, where we create transportation systems that respect and prioritize the needs of all: cyclists, pedestrians, drivers, and public transit users. We need public spaces to be for all people, ensuring our infrastructure is more resilient and welcoming. By integrating safer routes for biking and walking, while maintaining the historical and environmental character of our community, we can enhance our quality of life and reduce dependence on cars. I believe the key lies in thoughtfully rebalancing our transportation priorities with a long-term vision for sustainability.
I was general counsel for SMART and played a supportive role in making sure bicycle routes along the rail corridor were analyzed under NEPA.

Safety

Traffic deaths and injuries are on the rise, both nationally and in Marin (this includes all road users, not just bicyclists). The Transportation Authority of Marin has adopted a “Vision Zero” policy, an explicit goal to eliminate traffic deaths in Marin by 2050. However, some projects that would improve road safety may result in more near-term traffic congestion or less on-street parking.

3. Do you see prevention of injury and death for all road users as the highest priority for Marin’s roads? Or should congestion and delay for drivers be minimized, even where this increases risk for pedestrians and bicyclists? How will you weigh these competing priorities?

Melissa Blaustein:

I’ve always prioritized safety, and my building being hit by a vehicle was a wake-up call. It’s time we take action to make sure our infrastructure keeps pace with how our community moves today. While I know there is resistance to change, we need to admit that our streets don’t always meet the needs of today’s users, especially cyclists and pedestrians. I think we can reduce risks for vulnerable road users without making traffic worse. In fact, safer, well-designed streets can improve the flow for everyone.

Sandra Bushmaker:

Absolutely this is a high priority for Marin’s roads, and so is proper road maintenance which can help reduce injury/death. I will weigh the competing priorities using good policy and factual bases. There are certain corridors where congestion/delay could be minimized.

Ian Sobieski:

I used to live in San Francisco and when the Central Freeway was torn down people predicted “Carmeggdon”. Counterintuitively, traffic congestion *decreased*. Everyone seems to think they are a traffic engineer even if they aren’t. I wouldn’t let my lawyer neighbor drill my teeth for a cavity and I think we should generally look to experts to achieve designs that improve safety and effectiveness of transportation networks. I believe we can have efficient transportation systems that are also safer than today’s designs.

Steven Woodside:

The highest priority must be the safety of all road users. There’s no question that saving lives and preventing injuries should come first, even if it results in some near-term inconveniences. As a lifelong public servant, I know firsthand that these decisions require a delicate balance, but public safety must be paramount. With careful planning, we can design streets that are safer for everyone while still allowing traffic to flow smoothly. By listening to community input and exploring innovative solutions, we can find ways to reduce both risk and congestion over time.

Climate Change

The California Air Resources Board has stated that, even with the aggressive adoption of electric cars, Californians need to drive 25% less by 2030 to achieve the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals.

4. What concrete policies and projects in your city/town would improve mobility for people of all ages and abilities while reducing overall driving?

Melissa Blaustein:

Tackling climate change is not just an environmental necessity—it’s an equity issue. Lower-income residents and communities of color are often the most impacted by pollution and have the least access to safe, sustainable transportation options. In Sausalito, we have an opportunity to shift our transportation systems in a way that reduces greenhouse gas emissions while improving accessibility and quality of life for all residents, neighbors, employees, and visitors.

To achieve this, we need to make walking, biking, and public transit more attractive options than they are today. One major project is the “North-South Greenway,” which would create a much more safe and pleasant way to get from the Ferry to points north in ton. This path would provide a safer, more appealing alternative to driving for cyclists and pedestrians along Bridgeway, a critical corridor that too often feels unsafe for non-drivers.

In addition, I support expanding public transit, particularly for our most vulnerable residents, and investing in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, which includes not just EV charging stations but also electric bike hubs. These measures would provide affordable, low-carbon
transportation options that benefit everyone, not just those who can afford a private electric vehicle.

Programs that incentivize biking, walking, and ride-sharing, as well as partnerships with local businesses to encourage employees to commute sustainably, are also key to reducing driving. By focusing on sustainability and equity, we can reduce our carbon footprint and create a more just and accessible city for all residents.

Sandra Bushmaker:

Shuttle services and road/sidewalk maintenance. It has to be safe for our residents to walk on our streets/sidewalks. Note we have almost no sidewalks in the hillside neighborhoods. Encourage residents to drive only when needed, consolidate their errands.

Ian Sobieski:

To reduce driving, we need to create more appealing and practical alternatives. I support street design that encourages bicycle use. I also support enhancing public transit options and providing safer routes for walking. For example, I helped break the “don’t change anything” thinking that was wasting a $2.4M grant and a number of safety and circulation enhancements for bicyclists and pedestrians, including crosswalk re-configurations across Bridgeway. So I have actually gotten something done for bike and pedestrian safety. Programs like ride-sharing, autonomous shuttles, electric bike rentals, and incentives for local businesses that promote biking or walking could make a significant difference. With visionary leadership and thoughtful execution we can create a future where driving is a choice, not a necessity

Steven Woodside:

We need to build a Sausalito that encourages walking, hiking, biking, and the use of public transportation. I would prioritize infrastructure projects that make walking and cycling across town safer, especially since these projects could be competitive for grant funding given the regional importance of our transportation network. I have been a proud supporter of the grant-funded Ferry Landside project which is now under construction and will directly improve the experiences for pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit users in the area. We need to learn from that process and streamline our ability to make positive improvements. This will not be easy in Sausalito, given the influence of certain sectors of the population who seem to be wedded to the status quo and against anything that has a cost (including a traffic safety study). I am running for a seat on the City Council to change that mentality.
Beyond infrastructure, I’d like to see the City play a more active role in understanding how public transit is and isn’t working to serve residents, workers, and visitors currently, how our lack of affordable housing impacts traffic congestion and mobility, as well as considering how emerging technologies could help fill in some of the gaps.

TRAILS

In the birthplace of mountain biking, there are few legal single-track trails for people who bike. MCBC and our partners at Access4Bikes are working to expand access to trails for people riding mountain bikes. 

5. Do you support building new or opening up existing single-track trails on public lands to mountain bikers? Please explain your answer.

Melissa Blaustein:

As someone who grew up in Marin, I’m deeply aware of the history and culture surrounding mountain biking here. It’s part of what makes Marin unique, and I support revisiting the topic of expanding access to single-track trails. I believe there is room for thoughtful conversation about balancing environmental concerns with recreational opportunities. Perhaps starting with pilot projects or experimental access points could be a way to test how we can open trails responsibly, akin to what’s happening at MMWD. We need to be open to ideas that could benefit both the biking community and the broader public, ensuring that all users have a positive and safe experience on our public lands.

Sandra Bushmaker:

It depends on the facts of each proposal whether I can support it. We do not have land in Sausalito east of 101 that would support such a use. In order to support such a measure, I would need to have a clear understanding of the environment impacts of such trails in addition to the specifics of proposed expansion. One of my concerns is the fire risk with lithium batteries. Recently, we have had several residential fires in Sausalito sourced to lithium batteries.

Ian Sobieski:

I support expanding access to single-track trails for people on mountain bikes. Sausalito and Marin County have a rich cycling culture, and opening more trails is a great way to honor that legacy while providing more recreational opportunities for locals and visitors. With careful planning and environmental stewardship, we can ensure that these trails are sustainable and safe for all users, including hikers and equestrians. I am an avid mountain biker (I have three!) and also ride horses and am sensitive that bike horse/interactions are challenging. We should and can look for win-win outcomes for all users. Bottom line: Sasualito should and can be a basecamp for some of the regions/country’s best mountain biking

Steven Woodside:

The recent developments to expand trail access on Marin Municipal Water District land is very interesting and seems like a template to build upon. It was a great example of a community-driven process where different stakeholders came together to find common ground and test new ideas. If we can bring that same spirit of collaboration to other areas, I can see a path towards expanding trail access in a way that respects both the environment and the needs of different user groups.

Years ago, as County Counsel in Santa Clara and in Sonoma, I played an active role in opening trails and creating trail easements on both public and private lands. I served nine years on the Board of LandPaths, a Sonoma County based nonprofit that opened trails on mostly private lands. Most were hiking and equestrian trails, but they served to provide some relief on other multi-purpose and congested trails.

BriDGEWAY

According to Marin County’s Local Road Safety Plan, the majority of Bridgeway is on the county’s High Collision Network, meaning a disproportionate number of injury crashes take place there compared to other roads in the county.

6. Are you open to reconfiguring parts of Bridgeway to improve safety for people riding bicycles, walking, and driving, potentially in a way that removes some on-street parking or a vehicle lane? Or do you think Bridgeway should stay the way it is?

Melissa Blaustein:

We’ve known for years that Bridgeway has a disproportionate number of accidents, and we need to prioritize safety. If we don’t make changes, the results are never going to improve. People will continue to get injured, and others will be scared off from even considering biking as an alternative way of getting around.

As Mayor of Sausalito, I voted to proceed with a grant-funded study to explore options to make the Bridgeway waterfront safer and more accessible. I expect the study to return to the City Council and the public before January 2025. At this point there are no published design options from the transportation engineers, so I’m waiting to hear from the experts before forming a point of view on any specific ideas. Each option will come with its pros and cons, but as a community, we need to think long-term and recognize that safer streets benefit everyone.

Sandra Bushmaker:

Over the past 20+ years, Sausalito has reconfigured large sections of Bridgeway to accommodate bicycle traffic and made corners safer adjoining the Bridgeway corridore. We have installed a safer buffer at intersections. In the late 90’s early 2000’s, bike paths were installed away from Bridgeway proper, but it was found that bicyclists did not use these paths. I’d like to know why. We can do better for pedestrian traffic. On-street parking in certain sections of Bridgeway are the only places people who reside there can park. I am more concerned about the Alexander/South/2nd Street corridor that ends with Bridgeway. We have trouble with speeders, bike and automobiles, and very limited space. I would support speed control on this section. Every day, I see terrified bicyclists coming down this section from the Golden Gate Bridge. The bike rental companies must explain to bike renters the environment they will encounter when leaving the northbound section of the Golden Gate Bridge. Can MCBC help with that?

Ian Sobieski:

The safety of our residents and visitors must come first, and portions of Bridgeway have long been a challenge for all road users. The 2011 Feasibility Study to connect the Ferry with Gate 6 road is a great starting point, and as Mayor I’m proud that we recently voted unanimously to pursue grants to help bring some of these sections to life. As per my answer previously, traffic design and engineering is a technical task that educated and experienced experts should be tasked with engaging in. Ideas and designs should come from data driven analysis, not whim or prejudice.

Steven Woodside:

We owe it to ourselves, our neighbors, our children, and all road users to take a hard look at why Bridgeway has a safety problem and what we can do about it. Like other important topics in town, not much has changed on Bridgeway in all the time I’ve lived in Sausalito, yet the General Plan and other important City documents like the Bicycle Master Plan outline a number of suggested improvements. We need to find a way to find a way through these logjams and that is why I am running for City Council. Change can be controversial, but we should be engaging as a community on options with input from residents, business owners, organizations like yours, and traffic experts. I believe we can find designs that are workable for all road users while preserving what makes Sausalito unique.

There is one fundamental problem with Bridgeway to Alexander: The extreme southern portion narrows to two lanes of “share the road” pavement and one extremely narrow pedestrian sidewalk. And on the long stretch from the boardwalk north to downtown, there is no room to provide separate lanes for all uses of the road.