Annual Member Meeting took place this past Thursday at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of BikePGH

BikePGH is pleased to announce the most recent recipients of our annual awards. Each year we call attention to an advocate, organization, volunteer, businesses and BikePGH general members who have made outstanding contributions to advance bicycle advocacy in Pittsburgh. Those receiving an award this year included:

Organization of the Year, Mullen Advertising (Strip District)

Since 2009, Mullen has been closely involved with BikePGH sharing expertise surrounding traditional advertising and public relations particularly around the launch of BikePGH’s Car Free Fridays and the Bike Friendly Employer program. Mullen also helped develop last year’s Car Free Calculator, positioning the Pittsburgh region prominently in this year’s National Bike Challenge. As regular sponsors of BikePGH’s programs Mullen has demonstrated a high level of commitment to bike advocacy in Pittsburgh.

“This has been a great year for Mullen and bicycling advocacy. Earlier this year, we were recognized as a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Business by the League of American Bicyclists,” said Brian Bronaugh, President and Executive Creative Director, Mullen. “And now to be recognized regionally by our peers with the BikePGH Organization of the Year award is a tremendous accomplishment. As an organization, we advocate all forms of alternative transportation and firmly believe in the relentless mission of BikePGH over the last 10 years in our region.” Eric Ash and Tom Walker accepted the award on behalf of Mullen.

Advocate of the Year, Michael Boyd (Wilkins Township)

As an Assistant Professor of Music at Chatham University, Mike was instrumental in help- ing the University rank among the first recipients of BikePGH’s Bike Friendly Employers awards last year. Since then Mike has taken the lead in starting Share the Road East, a Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee made up of residents from Pittsburgh’s eastern suburbs to promote bicycle improvements just outside the city’s borders. Mr. Boyd also recently earned a seat on the Board of Commissioners in Wilkins Township where he’s made clear that he wants to see more attention on bicycle facilities.

Volunteer of the Year, Erica Peters (Bloomfield)

“Erica’s commitment to BikePGH goes above and beyond,” explains Becca Susman, BikePGH’s Membership and Outreach Coordinator. “She is not only always willing to help out, but also finds ways to connect the work of Bike Pittsburgh with her other interests.” Volunteers like Erica play an extraordinary role in helping to promote the mission of BikePGH.”

Outstanding Commitment Awards, 

• Nathan Swartz (Black Mountain, NC)
• Todd Derr (Squirrel Hill)

Nathan Swartz, of “ClickNathan Handmade Websites,” redesigned the organization’s web- site five years ago because of his dedication to safer bicycling conditions in Pittsburgh. BikePGH’s website has since received accolades and awards for it’s fun, easy to navigate interface. A new redesign is scheduled to take place by year’s end courtesy of Mr. Swartz. He accepted his award by way of a pre recorded video via Youtube.

As a BikePGH member Todd Derr volunteers and contributes regularly to the organization. He even staged a BikePGH membership campaign at his workplace, Google. Todd is also a regular contributor to BikePGH’s Message Board, an online community that welcomes and is supportive to all bicyclists.

New projects announced

The event, which took place Thursday evening June 28th at Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty welcomed BikePGH members for an update and showcase of what’s happening to improve Pittsburgh for bicycle users. Now with five full time staff members, contractors, and several part-time staff members, BikePGH has steadily grown over the last several years working to advance bike advocacy in the region. For the first time, BikePGH will host Pedal Pittsburgh this year having acquired it from the Community Design Center, who started the event more than a decade ago. BikePGH recently completed a strategic planning summit in the Spring. Other new programs include Safe Routes to School in collaboration with the Allegheny County Health Department, and BikePGH is helping develop support for a new Bike Share system, like those currently in use in Washington DC, Denver, Minneapolis, and New York.

Bud Yablonsky was also on hand to say a few words on behalf of his son Dan, a BikePGH intern that was the victim of a hit and run incident just several blocks away from our offices in May of 2012. Dan is doing remarkably well considering his injuries were extensive and his continued rehabilitation will take several more months before he can start back to work on a regular basis. Dan was able to watch the meeting via Skype. Bud spoke eloquently about his son’s journey to Pittsburgh, Dan’s passion for bike advocacy, the crash that prompted Bud and his wife Fran to move to Pittsburgh for nearly two months, and the message him and Dan continue to share, “get back on your bike and ride!”

The latest Bike Friendly Employers claimed their award

The evening concluded by honoring the most recent round of local Bike Friendly Employers. Nine Pittsburgh organizations have earned the recognition over the course of the last year including Carnegie Mellon University, Deeplocal, Inspecttech, pair Networks, Pashek Associates, The Priory Hotel, University of Pittsburgh, and UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside. The Mechanical Engineering Department at Carnegie Mellon also received recognition for the strides they’ve made to encourage bike commuting within their department. “The one thing all of these employers have in common is a commitment to make sure their workplace is creating a culture that supports the choice to ride a bike to work”, says BikePGH’s Executive Director Scott Bricker.

Become a member or renew your membership today! We need you. Bike Pittsburgh works to make Pittsburgh a world-class bicycle friendly city. For more info, check out: www.bike-pgh.org/membership