Bicycling safety highlights contrast between candidates

Anchorage in Alaska is a “motorized community.”

Questions about bicycle safety during a mayoral debate on the eve of the Anchorage election this week drew sharp distinctions between Ethan Berkowitz and Amy Demboski, the two candidates now competing in the May 5 runoff, Alaska Dispatch News reports.

Berkowitz said the city should recognize the growing number of bikers and consider lighting improvements or dedicated routes to address safety issues. Demboski said bike safety wasn’t a priority for her, though she said she’d support a public awareness campaign to remind bikers and drivers to “look both ways.” 

Demboski said her top issues are public safety, police staffing and fiscal restraint; Berkowitz says quality of life is an issue for him, though he too emphasizes public safety.