Dear Cycling Community- The upcoming Salt Lake County Mayor's Race to be decided on next Tuesday, November 2, has three major candidates: Peter Corroon, Democrat. Merrill Cook, Independant. Ellis Ivory, Republican.

We asked each of the three the following question regarding bicycling in Salt Lake County. We list their responses below in the order that they replied to us

Please Vote,
Dave

Bicycling in Salt Lake County is an important form of transportation and recreation. Currently, Salt Lake County has few bike lanes and no clear plan for bicycling. Volunteer efforts have been started to improve this, but they will need the full support of County Government.

Question: What will you do to improve bicycling opportunities and bicycling safety in Salt Lake County in regards to both road and off-road bicycling?

1. From Peter Corroon: I propose creating a bicycle master plan for the county to determine where we want more bicycle routes. I would create a committee of citizens and bicycling enterprises and enthusiasts to help create this plan. I will also support connecting current bicycling routes that are not currently connected.

2. From Merrill Cook: Protecting both on-road and off-road bicycling opportunities requires a County Mayor to stand up to developers who often want to destroy open space, and wet-lands adjacent to rivers, such as the Jordan River. Envisioning an overall plan for appropriate growth in Salt Lake County should require set-asides for parks, foothill preservation, and certainly open space. Naturally existing bike trails both on-road and off-road need to be protected. Putting campaign contribution limits on individuals, businesses, and certainly developers of $1000 per election could vastly limit the abuses that developers have engaged in, when it comes to County planning and zoning in the future. This Mayoral candidate who has enjoyed biking in his youth as well as biking with his wife and children will be particularly protective of the bicycling opportunities within Salt Lake County.

3. From Ellis Ivory:

I jogged the roads of Salt Lake County for 16 years until a knee injury put me on a bike. In good weather I ride in the early mornings on our treacherous roads. I am definitely in favor of providing marked bike lanes on our roads, where possible.

Also, I would include you and other cycling enthusiasts in my proposed Long Range Plan. (See my website, Ivory for Mayor.com., for Yes #4.) You will be included in the meetings of the Long Range Planning Committee to provide more bike trails for off-road bicycling and proper bike lanes in our road plans for the future.