July 11, 2022 - Progressive and outspoken Emeryville Mayor, John Bauters, was recently in Toronto to meet local advocates, take in some of the city’s new infrastructure, work with the Bike Brigade to deliver food to those in need, and enjoy a fabulous ride through the city with 100+ cyclists who support and share his viewpoints and passion for cycling. Organized by local advocates Robin Richardson (Happy Fiets Canada) and Lanrick Bennett Jr. (Bicycle Mayor of TO), Bauters has gained quite a following on social media with bold posts regarding his support for safety for residents and cyclists over inconvenience for drivers.
Addressing issues of issues of housing, homelessness, criminal justice reform and community-based mental health services, Bauters has been on the Emeryville Council since 2016, and was re-elected mayor in 2021. Following his TO visit eBikes International caught with Bauters for his take on the city and his passion for cycling.
Can you give us a brief history of your background in cycling ?
John Bauters: I’ve been biking since I was a kid and never really stopped. It’s great for getting around, socializing, keeping in shape and for the environment as we all know. I have groups that I cycle with such as friends that do the Aids Life Cycle ride, and a small group the Wheelie Nice Guys. I really like meeting people and finding out why they enjoy it, what keeps them engaged with cycling, what they like or don’t like about their cities etc. All of these exchanges, like in TO, are educational and helpful for me to see how to improve my community and make it more inclusive.
What made you want to get into politics and make a difference ?
JB: I was invited to be on one of the city’s resident advisory committees which happened after I spoke at a town forum about an affordable housing project. They organizers asked to meet with me after and were really supportive of my views and encouraged me to be on the committee, and it just grew from there. I was on the Planning Commission before getting onto City Council in 2016. I love community building and was doing advocacy in my full time job so things fell into place.
You’re outspoken and have gained a strong following on social media… does it help but also hinder your efforts ?
JB: My experience has been overwhelmingly positive, and I attribute most of that success to being positive. I don’t use FB or Instagram and sometimes get criticized for not being there as well but don’t really want to have a large social media footprint – I prefer just being outside. There are some negative reactions on social media but I don’t engage for the most part and let people have their say – occasionally I do speak out issues that may harm or marginalize others but mostly avoid feuds.
The pandemic helped elevate cycling… what other cities/states/countries/leaders inspire you?
JB: I admire a lot of what the European countries have been doing but I’m also impressed with efforts in South and Central America. For instance in Mexico City and parts of Colombia and Bolivia there’s lots of progress is being made. I’ve also been paying a lot more attention to Vancouver, which is probably similar to many California coastal cities. I was also really motivated by things I heard in Portland. I like taking photos of places I visit i.e. signs or other treatments, that I bring back home and say “this is what I want.”
Was this your first visit to Toronto… tell us your impressions?
JB: It was… I’ve been to Canada many times but mostly to Vancouver and Montreal. It was great to finally get to Toronto and share time with like-minded folks. The cycling in TO and the whole experience was impressive from the Bike Brigade to the big Sunday ride and everything in between.
You were just in New York as well another hot bed for cycling… what was your take on the cycling scene there?
JB: I’ve been to New York many times but hadn’t been in about three years and there were a lot of new cycling facilities in place. The other interesting thing was the different treatments all along the same corridor which I wasn’t sure that I liked but local advocates explained that they’re trying different things to see what works best. New York has immense opportunity, similar to Toronto, as both are large cities with great connectivity networks in place that could really be harnessed if a strategic safe cycling agenda was put place even non-car – this could change a lot of people’s minds. New York hasn’t really made the commitment yet say with say 14th Street, whereas the Hudson Greenway was full of people cycling and walking. Some people dismiss it as “recreational cyclists” but that’s far from it – there are people in business suits etc. I find it’s best to combat naysayers with feelings rather than facts i.e. talk about safety for mothers, fathers and kids over a bit of inconvenience for others.
Have you been to Europe recently to see some of the changes… any connections there?
JB: I went to Glasgow for the UN’s global climate convention COP26 and got to bike Scotland. I haven’t been to mainland Europe in a while but I’m excited to be going to The Netherlands and Belgium in September courtesy of an invitation from the Dutch Government to do an urban mobility study tour so I’m very excited about that. I plan to bike from Holland to Belgium where I have roots. My great grandparents fled from there to the USA after the war and I know the address and town, near Ghent, and plan to cycle to it.
Tell us about your connection with Pete Buttigieg, US Secretary of Transportation.
JB: Pete and I are both natives of South Bend and when he was mayor we both sat on the Committee on Innovation at the US Mayor’s Conference and he jokingly referred to me as the other gay mayor from South Bend. I’m very happy for Pete as the Secretary of Transportation – he’s a fantastic human being and he can call me any day if he needs a national Cycling Czar.
What about other US mayors like yourself… ?
JB: Sure, there are quite a few small to mid-size communities that are near larger metro areas, that have a similar political leadership engagement, and also want to advance similar active transportation agendas. Off the top of my head there’s Bothell, WA and Ferndale, MI as two examples… we talk as a group sometimes and exchange ideas and strategies and it’s very productive.
How can we get more incentives happening – would be great to see the E-Bike Act passed?
JB: We’re often held back by old stereotypes… we give tax credits for all kinds of “green” initiatives and here in California a great initiative allowed residents to turn in their old vehicle for a new electric car with $7,500, but there were no options for e-bikes. We need to give people options, especially low income residents who can’t afford an electric car even with the cash incentive – they’re the folks who are already cycling or are ready for that option. Safe infrastructure is another issue that needs attention along with changing the paradigm that cycling is for recreation vs being a tool for transportation. Plus the lifetime cost of owning a vehicle is astronomical… we can offer people better choices and help the environment, congestion, noise pollution, health and fitness etc., along with more sensible and sustainable housing.
You were re-elected in 2021 – what accomplishments are you most proud of, both cycling and non-cycling?
JB: I’m very lucky and privileged to work with a great team… City Councils are never just one individual. We all bring a different “lived experience” to the table which is so valuable in representing our community. We have the highest minimum wage in the nation, one of the only paid family leave ordinances – likely my most notable non-cycling contribution to the city was championing Measure C in 2018, an affordable housing bond worth $50 million, which I believe is still the highest in California and we’re the only area here that’s seen it’s African American population increase. From a cycling perspective closing most of Doyle Street and making it mostly car-free while connecting it to our Greenway network – now it’s actively used by families and cyclists
What do you ride… ?
JB: I have several bikes… a Cannondale carbon road bike for longer team rides, and a KTS Flite 280 for slightly longer city rides, plus a Giant hybrid for inner city jaunts. I’ve publicly stated that my next bicycle purchase this year will be an e-bike, so every chance I get I ask questions and take notes from others such at Chris Nolte from Propel Bikes in New York, who I met. Plus my 85lb shepherd-husky mix dog Reyna needs to be factored in… so an e-cargo bike is looking like a good choice for taking her up to a huge dog park near my house, along with shopping via our new greenway which will soon be completed etc.
Anything you’d like to add ?
JB: Just that I appreciate the opportunity to have a conversation about all of these important ideas and I really loved visiting Toronto and you have some amazing advocates there. Plus there’s a really a large appetite there for people to engage with elected leaders. I’m flattered that people say they’d like me to be their mayor but I always suggest people need to work with their local officials or others who are showing leadership… or run for office themselves.
Great that you could make it here to Toronto and thanks for your time as well – all the best.
JB: Thanks and wish you the same
For more on Mayor John Bauters click here.
