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Bicycle and Pedestrian Initiatives Announced
August 11, 2008: Mayor Ravenstahl and Councilman Dowd Announce Bicycle and Pedestrian Initiatives
Scott Bricker of Bike Pittsburgh at the
announcement at Tazza D’oro in Highland Park.
Photo courtesy of Bike Pittsburgh.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Councilman Patrick Dowd, and members of the cycling community announced a set of initiatives today aimed at encouraging cycling and walking in the city of Pittsburgh. The announcement coincides with the recent hiring of a Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator in the City’s Planning Department. The new Richard King Mellon Foundation-funded position ensures that traffic and development questions will be examined with an eye to increasing cycling and walking both as recreation and a commuting alternative. Pittsburgh is the first city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to hire a full-time Bike/Ped Coordinator.
The initiatives announced today address a spectrum of traffic, engineering, and infrastructure improvements and call for enforcement of traffic laws designed to protect cyclists and pedestrians. In concert with a set of educational initiatives and events for cyclists and pedestrians, the city of Pittsburgh plans to apply for Bicycle Friendly Community Status in 2010, a designation awarded by the League of American Bicyclists. Pittsburgh would be the first city in the Commonwealth to achieve the designation.
“The introduction of the new Bike/Ped coordinator, Stephen Patchan, and the set of initiatives and goals to guide bike/ped planning for the next year exemplifies our commitment to improving the infrastructure and environment for cyclists and pedestrians,” said Mayor Ravenstahl. “With the help of the Mellon Foundation, Bike Pittsburgh and what we know will be a fruitful partnership with the Port Authority of Allegheny County, we expect that Pittsburgh will soon be known around the country as the most bike and pedestrian friendly community in the America."
Councilman Dowd taking questions after the
event. Photo courtesy of Bike Pittsburgh.
“It makes economic sense for our streets to be safer and friendlier for cyclists and pedestrians, but it’s also a quality of life issue. As we transform how we use our streets, we’ll begin to create walkable communities, thriving neighborhood business districts, and ultimately attract new residents to the city of Pittsburgh,” Councilman Dowd said. “I am grateful for Mayor Ravenstahl’s support of these exciting plans and look forward to working together to move these initiatives forward.”
The initiatives will guide the city of Pittsburgh’s near-term bicycle and pedestrian transportation strategy. Specific measures include designated and marked bike routes around the city, a volunteer bike registry to aid in data collection and the recovery of stolen bikes, and reinvestment in the city of Pittsburgh’s steps and stairways.
Scott Bricker, Executive Director of Bike Pittsburgh, the region’s leading cycling advocacy group, also lent his support. “I am thrilled to see the city of Pittsburgh enthusiastically endorse an agenda that will make our streets more welcoming to cyclists. With this great start, we can continue to build a wider coalition of government officials, citizens, and organizations ready to re-envision cycling as a viable, economical and safe mode of transportation.”
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