Michelle Luong

Q1: How do you get around and what has your experience been?

I primarily get around via car, I have mobility issues so I cannot bike or walk for long distances. I also travel frequently with a family member that uses a walker and have taken the train into Boston for pleasure on multiple occasions.

My own experiences walking around this city when I am able to, has to be planned according to the conditions of the sidewalks or pathways and the time of day. There are parts of our city that do have access to public transportation on a convenient or equitable schedule.

Q2: What street or intersection would you most like to see improved for safety?

One concrete action the City of Malden can do within the next two years to improve street and sidewalk safety for non-drivers is to remove parking spaces closest to crosswalks and corners to improve visibility for both pedestrians and drivers. There are still several areas in Malden that need to be adjusted. I.e, Daniels and Willow, and Linwood Street corner just to name two.

Q3: How would you make Malden’s public transit more accessible?

Malden’s role is to make our community a place for all to enjoy, whether they travel by foot, on bicycles, on public transit or by motor vehicle.

We can reduce impervious surfaces. Increase permeable pavements in playgrounds, sidewalks, where possible as they have recently done at Forestdale Cemetery. Examining the data will allow us to see if our current efforts are working.

Q4: How would you reduce drop-off and pick-up traffic at schools?

The bussing or no bussing issue is handled by the school committee and not at the city council. I will say as we are a school system with a neighborhood school policy, families should be afforded the opportunity to have their child attend the school closest to their home where applicable.

Where the City of Malden can make a difference is to improve sidewalk conditions, crosswalk safety, and pedestrian signals, especially for underserved populations, including seniors, people with disabilities, families with small children or pets.

My goal is to bring everyone together as a community so that all people are safe as they travel through and around Malden. Every Person Counts!

Q5: Would you support connecting Malden to neighboring cities via bike/pedestrian paths?

Malden is fortunate enough to have the Northern Strands pathways throughout Malden that connect Malden to other communities. The broader goal, as with any opportunity for collaboration between cities to create more interconnected pathways, is to ensure a comprehensive community plan. Each project plan must be developed with input from all stakeholders and should thoughtfully consider how the project will impact every aspect of Malden — from residential neighborhoods to commercial properties.

Q6: What improvements would you make to support local businesses while keeping streets safe?

• Partner with the MBTA and our state delegation to improve service frequency, and reliability, – adding later times to some schedules to ensure transportation equity. • Make transportation planning inclusive through outreach and multilingual engagement.

Q7: Would you support expanding micromobility options like bike share and e-scooters?

Each new project should be reviewed individually and judged by similar criteria with the constant factor being input from all stakeholders. We should consider how the project will impact every aspect of Malden — from residential neighborhoods to commercial properties.