Pages tagged "resources"
-
Active Transportation Candidate Questionnaire
Posted on Resources by Jes Slavin · October 08, 2024 4:07 PMBicycling concerns intersect with a broad range of issues— including transportation, climate change, housing, public health, and mobility justice. These issues are often treated separately, even though they are deeply interconnected. To address these concerns effectively, it is crucial to engage with candidates for public office about their views on and commitments to active transportation and related topics. The Active Transportation Candidate Questionnaire Template is designed to help you do just that.
This questionnaire, developed by the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition in collaboration with local advocates and the Vision Zero Coalition, allows you to assess how candidates running for various offices view and plan to address issues that matter to cyclists and advocates for livable, people-centered infrastructure.
Below, we provide guidance on how to use this questionnaire effectively to gather meaningful insights from candidates.
2024 Active Transportation Candidate Questionnaire Template
How to Use the 2024 Candidate Questionnaire
Step 1: Identify the Candidates Start by identifying the candidates running for office in your district. Whether they are running for State Representative, State Senator, or a municipal position, these are the individuals who will have a direct influence on policies affecting active transportation. Use the questionnaire to reach out to these candidates and inquire about their stance on cycling-related issues.
Step 2: Customize the Questionnaire The 2024 Active Transportation Candidate Questionnaire Template is designed to be adaptable to different levels of government. Depending on the office the candidate is running for, you may want to adjust the focus of the questions. For instance, if you are engaging with a candidate for a municipal office, you might emphasize questions related to local infrastructure and bike safety. The questionnaire template covers everything from candidate information to their views on mobility justice, climate resilience, and Vision Zero policies.
Step 3: Distribute the Questionnaire Once you’ve customized the questionnaire, distribute it to the candidates via email or through their campaign websites. Make sure to provide them with clear instructions on how to complete and return the questionnaire. You may also want to follow up with candidates who do not respond within a specified timeframe.
Step 4: Review and Share Responses As candidates return their completed questionnaires, review their responses to understand their positions on key issues. This information is valuable for voters who care about active transportation and can be shared with your community, either through social media, newsletters, or public forums. If a candidate provides particularly insightful or promising responses, consider highlighting them to show what a strong commitment to active transportation looks like.
Step 5: Use the Responses to Inform Your Vote The ultimate goal of the questionnaire is to help you and your community make informed decisions at the ballot box. By understanding where candidates stand on bicycling and related issues, you can vote for those who will advocate for the policies that support safe, accessible, and sustainable transportation options in your area.
A Candidate Questionnaire can be a powerful tool for engaging with potential elected officials about the issues that matter to cyclists and advocates for livable communities. By using this questionnaire template to gather and share candidate responses, you can play an active role in shaping the future of transportation policy in your area. Together, we can work toward a more bike-friendly and equitable Massachusetts.