BikePGH and SPC host a workshop for local transportation administrators and decision makers

BikePGH and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) partnered with the League of American Bicyclists and the Alliance for Biking & Walking, both DC based organizations, to bring the Action 2020 Workshop to the region. The workshops were designed to provide the knowledge, skills and resources to access untapped or under-utilized federal funding sources at the state, regional and local level to build bicycling and walking infrastructure and programs. Pittsburgh was chosen as one of only five cities throughout the nation to host an Action 2020 Workshop.

In a day-long session that was kicked off by County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. Advocates, government agency staff and local elected officials heard him talk of the County’s commitment to the Active Allegheny plan which aims to improve bicycling and walking in Allegheny County.

The bulk of the workshop was facilitated by Peter Lagerwey, the Regional Office Director for Toole Design Group in the Northwest. Peter has over 26 years managing high profile pedestrian and bicycle projects and programs with the City of Seattle and as a private consultant. He is a nationally known expert having worked on non-motorized projects and made presentations in over 200 states, counties and cities. He was also the project manager for developing and implementing the widely acclaimed Seattle Bicycle Master Plan; and co-author of the FHWA manual and training course on “How to Develop a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP).

The event garnered some media attention.

Both KDKA and WTAE produced a segment for the evening news that you can watch.

Essential Public Radio also got in on the action with a segment that interviewed Mavis Rainey, the Executive Director of the Oakland Transportation Management Association, about the future of getting around the University area. According to the article, she says there has been a rise in interest from the Universities and businesses in Oakland who are in a constant battle for parking space, adding that it’s time to take transportation focus off of cars only.

“For years and years the region, as well as the state of Pennsylvania, has been focusing on the automobile as the primary mode of transportation,” Rainey said. “So when you start to see a lot of funding that will require biking amenities, that’s a really positive step for the region.”

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