Oakland as depicted in the current version of the Pittsburgh Bike Map. Red streets indicate dicey cautionary bike routes.

 

Updates on Oakland

Last week we sent the following update to everyone on our Action for a Safer Fifth/Forbes email list. If you’re interested in receiving updates about our work specific to making Oakland a safer place to bike and walk, join the list.

Together we’re pushing along steadily in changing Oakland to be a safe place for people to bike and walk. Thank you for caring.

Here’s a set of updates on our work and a few things that you can do to help.

Seeking Justice for Susan Hicks
We’re following this very closely. Thus far no one has been criminally charged for their actions leading to Susan Hicks’ death.

Oakland Working Group has Formed
Individuals from the City’s planning department, CMU’s Traffic 21 program, Oakland Planning and Development Corporation (OPDC), PennDOT, Port Authority and others are now meeting regularly to craft and execute a plan of action to make long term improvements to the safety of the Fifth/Forbes corridor.

To improve conditions in the short term, the group has been talking with Zone 4 police officers about increased enforcement of traffic laws and other strategies.

PennDOT Safety Audit of Forbes Avenue to Include Bicycles
In January State Representative Dan Frankel sent a letter to PennDOT to request that bicycle infrastructure be included in a safety audit of Forbes Ave that will soon be conducted. We have received confirmation from Dan Cessna, head of PennDOT District 11, that bicycles will be included in the safety audit.

Please send a thank you to Rep Frankel here!

Getting to Oakland: Uptown Ecoinnovation District Meeting
The Uptown neighborhood (also known as Bluff) is adjacent to Oakland and poses significant and similar challenges to pedestrians and bicyclists.

The good news is that improvements are planned. To support a bike and pedestrian-friendly Uptown, attend the Uptown EcoInnovation District Launch Party on Thursday, February 25. This lively event will kick off the engagement process.

Uptown EcoInnovation District Launch Party
Thursday, February 25
6-9pm
300 Gist St., Uptown

DIY Speed Monitoring: A Hacknight with Matt Bauman
Traffic21 in partnership with BikePGH, will host a Hacknight on March 22nd. The event will explore further opportunities for Bauman’s work and how to develop it into a tool for decision-makers. After presentations the attendees will split into two groups – 1. Those who want their fingers on the keyboards to discuss coding and 2. Those who are less technical and want to talk bout user interface. CMU faculty researchers will also attend.

Speed Monitoring Hacknight
Tuesday, March 22
6-9pm at the Studio for Creative Inquiry on CMU’s campus
RSVP to attend

Susan Hicks Memorial Bike Commute
March 25th marks 5 months since Susan’s crash. Let’s finish her ride home. Organized by Susan’s close friends, this ride will meet at Posvar Hall in Oakland by the yellow arch sculpture at 5pm. Join to ride to 306 S. Aiken Street, where Susan was living the day she died, for a Russian vodka toast in her memory.

Susan Hicks Memorial Bike Commute
Friday, March 25
Meet at Posvar Hall, University of Pittsburgh
5pm

Questions? Comments? Want to help?
Contact eric@bikepgh.org.

---

Take action for a safe Fifth/Forbes. There is an urgent need for safe spaces to bike in Oakland – the Fifth/Forbes corridor is deadly for cyclists. We need YOU to join our coalition to take action and help us transform the corridor.