Steve Winslow

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

I am multi-modal. I prefer bicycling but also have a MBTA bus pass, walk and drive. I use all modes every week. Traveling by bicycle over the years has helped me understand the needs of those with mobility impairments who use our streets and sidewalks. My wife and I as we age also know we face more such challenges. I have worked with residents with mobility impairments in Malden, Somerville and Gloucester and have been proud to see projects that have transformed their lives and safety.

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

In Ward 6, I have made making the travel corridor that includes Elwell, Beachview, Olive Avenue, Valley and Cherry Streets safer. This corridor aligns with Bainbridge Street and the same drivers that speed along Bainbridge often do so. Elwell and Beachview are of particular concern since those streets are curvy and lack sidewalks. We need to implement some striping measures that the Traffic Commission has approved by Fall and I am also seeking a speed bump analysis as well.

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

In Ward 6, the Better Bus Project has proposed new bus routes for the first time in decades. This is both an opportunity and a challenge. I am already working to see that these changes add bus shelter, improve bus stops, enhance crosswalks, increase service frequency and traffic signals all in an effort to create more safe, equitable and efficient transportation option in Ward 6.

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

Just this week I am working with the Forestdale parents and staff to reach out to the MBTA to modify the 106 Bus schedule. I have put the MBTA scheduling staff in touch with our Superintendent who has asked to look at scheduling. A greenway network could also allow more students to travel on foot, bike or scooter. I see there’s a growing number of parents who actually take their young kids to school on scooters so traffic calming around schools and connections to greenways need to be made.

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

As the founder of Bike to the Sea, I see both local and regional opportunities. Locally we should be working on a greenway network that includes: (1) creates a direct connection from the Northern Strand from Malden High to Malden Station, Beebe School and Fellsmere Pond, (2) the completion of the Spot Pond Brook Greenway, (3) constructing the Willow Street Greenway as a shareD use path, (4) connecting the Northern Strand to the Townline Brook via Lynn Street and (5) undertaking a Complete Streets project for Lebanon Street that reduces high rates of speeds that endanger pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists alike.

Outside of Malden, supporting the extension of the Northern Strand thru Lynn, the completion of the Wellington Greenway in Medford and the Mystic Crossing Bridge and the Rutherford Avenue connector will greatly increase connectivity.

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

Commercial Street and Broadway need to be laid out to better serve pedestrians, bicycles and buses that serve the Asian markets on those streets. Highland Avenue with more trees, safer crossings and pedestrian scale lights like Maplewood Square could become a much more attractive and active business area.

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

In addition to the Spot Pond Brook connectors via Main Street and Middlesex, space exists to make travel by micromobility devices safer on each street through a combination of shoulder striping and sharrows. As I found through my work in Somerville, modest costing safety improvements can demonstrate that demand that justifies additional improvements.