The city’s plans to encourage walking/cycling deserve support

Monday, August 18, 2008, Post-Gazette
By Scott Bricker

Biking has never looked so good to so many people, and with good reason. Filling up the gas tank puts a big dent in the household budget, while running errands or commuting on a bike gives everyone a chance to burn calories instead of fossil fuels.

Pedaling is an opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint while improving our health, quality of life and the quality of our air. And rolling around on two wheels creates a connection to city neighborhoods that’s impossible from the confines of a car.

Biking looks good to city leadership, too. Last week Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, city Councilman Patrick Dowd and Port Authority CEO Steve Bland addressed a packed coffeehouse in Highland Park to pledge their commitment to making Pittsburgh a better place for cyclists and pedestrians. For the first time there’s talk of investing in bike infrastructure and paying greater attention to everyone’s safety on our streets. With the help of the Richard King Mellon Foundation, the city has hired its first-ever full-time bike/pedestrian coordinator who is charged with heading up these efforts.

We at Bike Pittsburgh could not be happier. We applaud the city for its vision and commitment. High gas prices, climate change and competition to attract residents demand that we rethink our transportation system. Read more»