Volume 4, Issue 10 – November 25, 2005

“A Newsletter Published by Bike Pittsburgh to establish Pittsburgh as a city that is increasingly safe, accessible, and friendly to bicycle transportation.”

In This Issue:

* Local Bicycle Thefts On The Rise & New MapHub Service
* Important Blvd. of the Allies Bridge Replacement Public Meeting
* Holiday Bike Build-A-Thon – Volunteers Needed!
* New O’Connor Administration Commissions Available
* Two Great New Membership Benefits
* Growlers Delivered By Bicycle
* Eliza Furnace Trail Vandalism Aimed At Cyclists?
* Upcoming Events

LOCAL BICYCLE THEFTS ON THE RISE & NEW MAPHUB SERVICE

More people are getting on bikes these days, and with an increase in bicycling, there has also been an increase in bicycle thefts in Pittsburgh. Here are some quick tips on how to help prevent your bicycle from being stolen:

* Get a good lock. Expect to pay about $50 for a good lock. Cheaper locks are easier to clip and/or cut through; many of the better locks come with a theft guarantee/replacement if your bike is stolen. You’ll have to register your bike and lock with the manufacturer, but it can be worth hundreds of dollars to you for just a few minutes of your time.
* If you have the space, get a good cable to run between BOTH wheels and the lock. Always lock as many things together as possible. If you have a quick-release on your seat, take your seat with you after you lock your bike.
* Don’t leave really expensive bike computers or lights on your bike if you park it; take them with you!
* If you have the fortitude, “uglify” your bike – that is make it look undesirable for would-be thieves by painting it, putting stickers or tape on it, and giving it a generally shabby appearance. Although “beater” bikes are still stolen, thieves tend to pick newer-looking bikes when presented with multiple bikes from which to choose.

If your bike is stolen, there are two good places to check to see if it has been recovered: 1) your local police department – find your local station at the following web address: (http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/police/html/police_zone_neighborhoods.html), or, 2) the Free Ride! Community Recycle Bicycle Program (http://www.freeridepgh.org). At the very least, you will be likely to find an inexpensive replacement bike for the one that was stolen.

Finally, put your bike on your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. It usually costs only a couple of dollars per year, and with a police report, you will often be reimbursed for the replacement value of your bike. If you ride your bike every day just as you would drive a car every day, the insurance makes a lot of sense. One final note: the Pittsburgh Police Department does NOT maintain a list of registered bikes! If you are a Pitt or CMU student, these services are available on campus.

Bike PGH has created a new “stolen bikes” section in MapHub (http://www.maphub.org) where you can post locations of stolen bikes and upload photos. If you have had a bike stolen recently, please add it to MapHub; upload a photo so that others can keep an eye out for it.

IMPORTANT BLVD. OF THE ALLIES BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PUBLIC MEETING

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and their consultant, Wilbur Smith Associates (WSA), will be available to discuss the development of the design for the replacement of the Boulevard of the Allies Bridge over Forbes Avenue. The project also includes the southbound exit ramp from the Boulevard to Forbes Avenue, and the relocation of the northbound ramp from Forbes Avenue to Fifth Avenue.

The purpose of this meeting is to gain public comment prior to finalizing design plans. Your input can be valuable in shaping the design of this roadway.

Plans will be on display to illustrate the design progress. Any reports completed to date will be available for review. All area business owners and residents, community groups, and interested citizens are invited to attend.

The location of the public meeting is accessible to people with disabilities. If you need special accommodations, or would like additional information, please contact: Mr. William Gibson, P.E., Project Manager, PennDOT District 11-0, 45 Thoms Run Road, Bridgeville PA 15017. Phone: (412) 429-4930

Event Day: Thursday, December 1st
Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm Open House, short presentation at 5:15pm
Location: Carlow University Campus, A. J. Palumbo Hall of Science and Technology – Corner of Fifth and Craft Avenues
Cost: $FREE!

HOLIDAY BIKE BUILD-A-THON – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Free Ride Recycle-A-Bike (http://www.freeridepgh.org) is in Need of Volunteers to help clean and fix up children’s bikes for the holiday season. Some of these bikes will be donated to the South Hills Interfaith Ministries who work with and will then distribute directly to the Prospect Park neighborhood that is currently housing refugees from such places as Sudan, Afghanistan, Burma, Iraq, and Turkey, among other places. Another organization that will receive bikes is the Tree of Hope, a Hill District based non-profit that works with families whose lives have been torn by violence.

Please show up on Sunday, December 4th, and we’ll put you to work. Although having mechanic experience helps, it is not necessary. If you don’t have mechanic skills, we will still have a job for you. Snacks will be provided. Also, if you have a truck and are willing to help transport the bikes, please contact us at: (freeride@bike-pgh.org).

Event Day: Sunday, December 4th
Time: 1:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Free Ride! (214 N. Lexington Ave., 15208 – in Construction Junction warehouse)
Cost: $FREE!

NEW O’CONNOR ADMINISTRATION COMMISSIONS AVAILABLE

Pittsburgh’s next mayor, Bob O’Connor, is looking for concerned citizens to join the city’s various boards and commissions. This is a great opportunity for members of the bicycling community to get involved and influence the city to move in positive directions. Information about how to apply is available at: (http://www.boboconnorformayor.com/applications.asp). Go ahead and look through to find positions which match your interests and experience; it would be great to have people advocating for sustainable transportation on as many commissions as possible. Here is a rundown of some of the commissions most relevant to biking:

Art Commission: They must approve anything which goes in the public right of way, such as bike racks.

City Planning Commission: They deal with all issues related to the city’s development. This includes many transit issues, and it is important that they consider the bike community when making decisions. The Department of City Planning has an ambitious Bicycling Plan, and committee members could encourage work on this plan, which includes improved bike infrastructure, such as bike lanes and bike racks.

City-County Taskforce on Disabilities: Bikers and the disabled share a lot of concerns. These communities can work together for safer transport for all of us relying on non-automotive transit. We also share specific infrastructure concerns, such as safe access to bridges.

Economic Development Commission: Access to jobs is an important economic issue. Bicycling is a healthy, inexpensive, and efficient way to get to work, and can be encouraged by making it easier and safer. Improving cycling conditions will improve the city’s economy, and these considerations must be voiced.

Parking Authority: Parking a bike requires significantly less room than parking a car. We should expand the notion of parking to include parking of bikes, and increase available bike parking throughout the city, especially downtown. The Authority has a broad mission to improve the economy, and Authority members might advocate for decreasing the underlying causes of the shortage of parking and using the city’s space to benefit as many citizens as possible.

Southwest Regional Planning Commission: They are involved in using transportation funds for regional projects. Members of this commission could encourage use towards equitable and sustainable transport, such as expanded bicycle infrastructure.

Sports and Exhibition Authority: They work on development projects and facility operation related to sports, including biking.

Youth Commission: Safe transport to school and recreation is important for Pittsburgh’s youth. Biking is a great way for kids to get around and get exercise, but may be overlooked or deemed unsafe due to road conditions. Adult cyclists can advocate for tomorrow’s adult cyclists.

Additionally, the Design Review and Housing Commissions would benefit from participants with an eye towards bicycling.

TWO GREAT NEW MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Here are two NEW benefits from local businesses just for Bike PGH members! (A complete list of membership benefits is available at the Bike PGH website: http://www.bike-pgh.org).

Enrico’s Tazza D’Oro (http://www.tazzadoro.net) ~ Enrico’s Tazza D’Oro in Highland Park offers a 10% discount on items in the coffee shop to Bike PGH Members (you must present your membership card), and a 15% discount if you arrive by bicycle. Enrico’s Tazza D’Oro is located at 1125 North Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Phone: (412) 362-DORO. Hours: Mon-Thu 7am-10pm, Fri 7am-11pm, Sat 8am-11pm, Sun 8am-5pm, Sunday Brunch 9am-1pm.

East End Brewing Company (http://www.eastendbrewing.com) ~ The East End Brewing Company now offers $1.00 off NEW growler purchases (1/2 gallon of the freshest brew!) for Bike PGH Members. Just present your membership card for the discount.

GROWLERS DELIVERED BY BICYCLE

Would you like a growler of beer (1/2 gallon) delivered right to your doorstep? Just like the milkman, only fermented and tastier! Local cyclist Nick Thompson thinks he can deliver up to 12 growlers of East End Brewing’s finest (http://www.eastendbrewing.com) at a time on his bike trailer. Nick is offering to deliver a growler to your doorstep for no additional charge for the beer and the jug; tips are up to you, as Nick is doing this just for fun, and is not employed by East End Brewing. Anyone interested in door-to-door growler deliveries should contact Nick at: (npt134@yahoo.com).

ELIZA FURNACE TRAIL VANDALISM AIMED AT CYCLISTS?

The Greenfield terminus of the Eliza Furnace Trail has seen a rise in vandalism in the last several weeks, with some of the mischief seemingly aimed directly at cyclists. Commuters who park at the trailhead and commute into Downtown have had the door handles of their cars greased, and there have been reports of carpet tacks on the trail near the parking lot. If you have been a victim of vandalism recently at the trailhead parking lot, please contact both the City of Pittsburgh: (412) 255-2102 and Bike PGH: (info@bike-pgh.org). The City is aware of the recent rise in vandalism, and is working to put a halt to this criminal behavior.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Here is a listing of upcoming cycling events in the Pittsburgh Region. For complete details, visit the Bike Pittsburgh website: www.Bike-Pgh.org and click on the “Events & Activities” section.

November 25th – Critical Mass
December 1st – Blvd. of the Allies Bridge Replacement Meeting
December 4th – FreeRide! Holiday Bike Build-A-Thon
December 4th – 16th Annual Punk Bike Enduro
December 11th – P.T.A.G. Trail Maintenance, Moraine State Park
December 30th – Critical Mass

Join Pittsburgh’s fun and exciting bicycling community by becoming a member of Bike PGH! Meet cool people, find out about all bike-related happenings in town, and help us transform Pittsburgh into a better and more vibrant place to live, work, and ride by becoming a member starting at only $25 per year. With your tax-deductible donation you will receive a Membership Card good for discounts with participating bike shops and organizations, priority invitations and discounts to special Bike PGH-sponsored parties and events, and the satisfaction that you are making a difference for all of us. For details, go to the Bike PGH website: http://www.Bike-Pgh.org and click on Become A Member. Join us today!

Post the miles that you ride on the Bike Pittsburgh website in the Community & Classifieds area! Just send us your monthly mileage, and if you want your name to be available as an email link to: miles@Bike-Pgh.org

“The Bike Pittsburgh eMessenger” is an electronic newsletter published about once a month. Previous issues of “The eMessenger (formerly called The Leader)” can be found on the Bike Pittsburgh website in the section called “Newsletters”. Bike Pittsburgh, Inc. does not rent, sell, or make available any personal information, including email addresses, which you may send to Bike Pittsburgh. If you would like to be removed from the distribution list, simply email: remove@Bike-Pgh.org and request to be removed. canon 10s mp3credit acceptance corppc addind from ringtonefinancial achieve creditfinance assessment credit acquisitionactors credits im mcdonalds 1971 commercial125 mp3 nona jingli108 mp3 om chant Mapcartoon free sex moviesanime movies adultmovies sex hentaimovie blowjob galleriesnude celeb movies freemachine fuck moviessex movies adulteuro trip movie Map