Eric Bunch — KCMO’s Biking and Walking Candidate
City Council 4th In-District
I am running to be KCMO’s next 4th in-district council person because I believe improving walkability and building out our bike plan should be among our top priorities. If we want to address some of the biggest challenges our city is facing — health disparities, climate change, crime, jobs — we have to invest more in complete streets. We have made some incredible strides, but we must continue to do more.
As the co-founder of BikeWalkKC, building complete streets will be one of my top focuses. Here’s how I will do that:
Build Affordable Housing
A discussion about transportation and walkability cannot happen without considering housing policy. We must build more affordable and workforce housing in our most walkable parts of the city to ensure our most vulnerable citizens have access to schools, jobs, transit, and amenities.
Invest in Sidewalks
I led a successful campaign that ended the unfair 'homeowners pay' sidewalk policy and won $150 million in new city funded sidewalks. I will ensure we increase our investment in sidewalks and crosswalks.
Implement the Bike Plan
I have already led an advocacy effort that resulted in a new bicycle master plan. I also wrote the city’s complete streets ordinance. Now it is time to build bikeways. I will work with my city council colleagues to prioritize funding to build out a network of protected bikeways that connects people to opportunity.
Expand Transit
For a community to be truly walkable and bikeable, we have to improve public transportation. Additionally we have to do better to solve the first and last mile problem by investing in better sidewalks and co-locating electric bike share, and scooters. This is an issue I have direct experience with: I co-founded the city’s only public bike share system that now operates in partnership with Ride KC.
Create Safe Routes to Schools
Add More Shared Electric Vehicles
For many, bus and streetcar stops are just too far to walk. We will have to look to new technologies to bring transit to more homes and jobs. I brought the city’s only bike share system to town and have collaborated with RideKC to address this very challenge. I will bring more cost effective “first and last mile” opportunities to KCMO including shared electric bicycles, scooters, and electric cars.
Join the Cause!