Check out this cool video from KDKA about the bicycle-related businesses popping up in the South Side.  The bicycle-boom and South Side’s riverfront trail seems to have spurred a bit of economic development, despite the recession.   OTB Bicycle Cafe, Green Gears Pedicabs, REI, and even the BikePGH world headquarters get a mention.  They did forget about frame-builder and full service shop, Thick Bikes as well as Friends of the Riverfront, the trail group that runs the “Blue Bikes” bike share program, and the mysterious Ted’s Awesome Bike Repair.  The piece does touch on the many benefits of cycling including land-use, health, environment, congestion, and having some extra cash in your pocket.

My personal favorite line in the piece is when Mike Kotyk, owner of the OTB Bicycle Cafe on Carson St talks about how he wants to replace the auto parking space in front of his cafe with bike racks, to accommodate more customers (1 car vs. 8-10 bikes).  He quips, “We’d love to be the first business in the city to have dedicated bike parking…I’ve told the mayor over email that if he gives us a bike space we’ll call it Cycle Stahl after him.“

Classic.