District 5: Councilperson Corey O'Connor Responds to BikePGH Candidate Survey

District 5 Councilperson Corey O’Connor

1. Do you use a bicycle (or walk) in the city? If so, for what purposes (commuting, recreation, errands, exercise) and how often? Do you have any favorite places to ride or walk?

I bike ride on occasion for recreation in my neighborhood.

2. What roles do you think city council can play in making cities safe, accessible and friendly for biking and/or walking?

I think that City Council can absolutely play an active role in pursuing initiatives that can make Pittsburgh safer, accessible and friendly for biking and/or walking. City Council can increase accessibility by making sure that Pittsburgh biking infrastructure is well maintained and accessible to all riders/pedestrians across Pittsburgh. This includes ensuring bike racks and safe parking for riders are strategically placed throughout the city and keeping Pittsburgh’s on- and off-street bicycle network sufficiently maintained. With respect to safety, City Council can work to educate through public awareness campaigns that make motorists and cyclists aware of their rights and responsibilities to make the city safe for all parties, while also passing bike-friendly ordinances that protect vulnerable road users Similarly, campaigns that encourage bicycling, such as a campaign to promote the Pittsburgh Bike Share project, would be meaningful initiatives. By making the city more user-friendly for biking/walking, we can encourage even more people to take advantage of what Pittsburgh already has to offer.

3. How can improved biking and/or walking benefit your district? Are there any specific projects that you would like to see accomplished or are in the works that you’re excited about?

Improved biking and walking can help better connect the various neighborhoods of the district, encouraging more people to begin biking/walking. During my time on City Council, we’ve worked to introduce more paths and lanes for cyclists. I was able to turn Pocusset Street into a street exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, the new Greenfield bridge will include bike lanes, bridging the community with Schenley Park.

4. In your district, what particular problem spots for pedestrians and/or people on bikes that you’d like to see addressed?

In District 5, Braddock Avenue is a spot where pedestrians and cyclists are particularly vulnerable. However, to improve safety we have explored additional lights and stop signs and have repainted the lines.

5. Do you have any ideas on how the city can better maintain, fund, and fix our public steps, an important piece of our pedestrian infrastructure?

Throughout my time on City Council I’ve been both aggressive and creative in pursuing funds that benefit the constituents. I would pursue a similar mentality to help procure funds to make sure that public steps are well-maintained.

6. Aggressive and drunk driving seem to be problematic throughout the city. What steps can Council take or advocate for to address these life-threatening issues?

Aggressive and drunk driving is undoubtedly a threat to any community and especially to cyclists and pedestrians, who are most vulnerable on the road. As a City Councilman, I would support increased penalties in Pittsburgh for individuals that harassed, injured, and killed vulnerable road users, as well as awareness measures that educated drivers on the devastating impact that reckless driving creates. I would also pursue protective measures like bike-friendly ordinances and protected bike lanes in higher-risk areas.

7. In conclusion, why do you think people, who care about issues involving biking, walking, and the built environment, should vote for you?

I encourage people who care about issues involving biking, walking, and the built environment to vote for me because, ultimately, these are issues that matter to me as well. Currently, I am Chair of City Council’s Committee on Urban Recreation and I have visited almost every city park, in addition to dozens of Recreation Centers. I’ve been an advocate for pedestrian safety throughout my time in City Council. I was the first Councilmember to install a green project in public space, which is located in the lower Greenfield area. If re-elected, I plan to focus on legislation on City Council to develop sustainable communities, while also using my position as an ALCOSAN board member to focusing on green infrastructure. I believe my work in urban recreation and commitment to green initiatives make me an ideal candidate for those, who care about issues involving biking, walking, and the built environment.

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