Play Pinball and fund bike-friendly streets one coin drop at a time

Pittsburghers love their pinball.  And the pinball community loves bikes. Many don’t know this, but the City of Champions also hosts the annual Professional/Amateur Pinball Association’s World Pinball Championships (or PAPA for short).  Be sure to watch 2010’s final and deciding game where only one of four players leave with the title of World Pinball Champion along with the $10,000 grand prize.  For the past several years, bikes and pinball have created a lasting bond starting with BikeFest rides to the PAPA event, and most recently with the pinball community pitching in to help fund bike advocacy.

Maybe it’s a love of mechanical devices that drives this pairing, but a few local businesses have dedicated space to host pinball machines where all coin drops go to help fund BikePGH and our efforts to turn Pittsburgh into a bike-friendly city.

Below are the initial businesses that are taking part in this creative fund-raising program.  So please, go support these businesses and play a game of pinball while you’re there.

Over the Bar Bicycle Cafe in the South Side

The cyclist watering hole and restaurant in the South Side, Over the Bar Bicycle Cafe, has been a huge supporter of bike advocacy and events since opening a few years ago. They recently added, side by side, the popular Addams Family machine as well as a World Cup Soccer machine. Here they are in their natural environment ready to fund better bicycling.

Thick Bikes in the South Side

Over at Thick Bikes in the South Side, you can play Tales of the Arabian Nights while shopping for your bikes and gear. Be sure to check out their amazing collection of not-so-typical bikes, like the Surly Pugsley you see in the corner.

Iron City Bikes in Oakland

Oakland’s Iron City Bikes on S. Bouquet St has a White Water machine tucked in between display bikes and some saddles.  Just try to beat their top scores, we dare you.

Wild Card in Lawrenceville

Lawrenceville’s Wild Card on Butler St has a couple vintage machines that you can play.  While you’re shopping for handmade goods, quirky cards, and local art, be sure to play a couple games of Quick Draw and El Dorado, both from 1975.  The orb you see in the foreground is local artist Ryder Henry’s sci-fi depiction of what cities will look like in the future, with all models inspired by actual Pittsburgh buildings and made of reclaimed materials.  The show is on display through March.

Lili Coffee Shop in Polish Hill

The new Lili Coffee Shop, Mind Cure Records, and Copacetic Comics Complex on Dobson St in Polish Hill has a Doctor Who Pinball Machine in their hallway.  Comics, vinyl, coffee, and pinball in one building.  Why bother ever leaving Polish Hill?

Be sure to check out Popular Mechanic’s fascinating quick history of Pinball.  For example, did you know that pinball was illegal in New York City until 1976? Maybe bikes and pinball have even more in common than we thought.

---

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