Northside Leadership Conference (NLC) Embraces Car Free Fridays
When BikePGH started planning events for this year’s Car Free Fridays at the end of last year it was immediately clear the Northside was as eager as any neighborhood to start promoting the merits of car free transportation.
For starters the Northside had a fairly well established neighborhood bike/ped committee.
With two community advocates as co-chairs, Alida Baker and Sean Brady, it was no wonder the Northside was raring to go. Add to that the support of Thomas Rosselot and Stephanie Miller, two of the NLC’s dedicated staff members and we were in an excellent position to keep the car free momentum building. The Northside did not disappoint! They even had several T-shirt designs custom made and screen printed by local company Spoke Punchers.
Beginning at 7:00 breakfast was served by Bistro to Go and Amani Coffee – two favorites among East Allegheny neighbors. Scott Gibson from Free Ride was on hand with the Mobile Bike Repair Project for bikes that needed a little TLC (some were actually ready for the ICU). Zipcar, Port Authority, and Commute Info were all on hand ready to answer questions. Even with an intermittent rainfall, that at times was a downpour, passionate car free commuters from parts all around the city came out to show their support.
NLC kept the Car Free Fridays staging area staffed all day long. At lunch, hoards of Allegheny General staff and physicians visited the location. Around 4:00 the Farmer’s Market started, including a special guest appearance by Spoke Punchers who was selling bike centric hats, clothing, and jewelery. At 6:30 pm the Northside Bike/Ped Committee and the Major Taylor Cycling Club co-hosted easy paced bike rides that showcased some of the committee’s recommended bicycle routes for the neighborhood. The goal is to get these bike routes officially signed and upgraded with lanes or sharrows when possible.
Over 75 people signed up at the event and more than 80 took advantage of the new online Car Free Fridays registration.
The Northside’s Bike/Ped Committee sets an excellent example for neighborhoods, boroughs, and municipalities around the region to start organizing bike/ped committees. The South Side took note and now has their own with Mike Kotyk from OTB at the helm. When neighborhood residents organize and are poised to make things happen it significantly increases the community’s chances of seeing bike/ped improvements sooner rather than later. BikePGH staff member Eric Boerer is transitioning to his new position of Advocacy Director and is excited to start working with communities that prioritize bike/ped improvements. Stay tuned for the launch as we work out the details.
If our region is going to make significant strides in making streets safer for bicyclists and pedestrians neighborhood groups play a vital role in rallying the support, knowledge and skills of their residents in the form of bike/ped committees.
Contact BikePGH at cff@bike-pgh.org to learn how we can help work with your community at building an effective voice for Bike/Ped improvements.
Car Free Fridays Northside continues . . .
- July 30th UPMC will be hosting a Car Free Fridays sign up from 7:00 to 10:30 am at the Biomedical Science Tower lobby – accessed from Lothrop and Darragh Streets. The building sits on top of the Presby Garage @ 3500 Terrace Street. All car free commuters that day will be entered into July’s Car Free Fridays raffle and receive July’s voucher. Bike there and get breakfast. The public is welcome!
- July 31 from 3:00 to 4:30 with a Car Free Walking Tour hosted by the History & Landmarks Foundation. RSVP by calling (412) 471-5808 x527 or email marylu@phlf.org by July 29th.
Not a member of BikePGH? Join today! We need you to add your voice! Bike Pittsburgh works to protect cyclist’s rights and promote the vision of making Pittsburgh a safer and more enjoyable place to live and to ride. For more info, check out: www.bike-pgh.org/membership
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