Originally Published on Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Pittsburgh-Post Gazette

Multimodal transit

I’m writing in response to the Port Authority’s Transit Development Plan. I’m impressed with the amount of effort and thought that has been given to this desperately needed overhaul of our transit system. That said, there are opportunities for the Port Authority to participate in a truly multimodal system above and beyond what is in the current plan.

I often hear from frustrated bicyclists that they would happily use the Port Authority’s services if only their bus had a rack, if the T accommodated bikes at peak hours like the trains in Portland and Minneapolis, or if there were safe and secure bike parking at major transit centers. Not only are these amenities relatively inexpensive ways to increase ridership and boost revenues, but up to 80 percent of the funding for these enhancements is attainable from the federal government.

Let’s add these amenities to the Transit Development Plan and work together to build the multimodal system that Pittsburgh needs.

SCOTT BRICKER
Executive Director
Bike Pittsburgh
South Side

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