City to invest in better biking and walking infrastructure across Pittsburgh in multi-year strategy

New bike infrastructure will be coming to neighborhoods across the city as a result of an increase in funding for bike projects in the 2015 budget.

Coverage of the increase is in today’s Tribune Review. Read the full article for a quote from BikePGH executive director, Scott Bricker.

By Bob Bauder | Tribune Review

Pittsburgh budgeted more this year — $1.65 million — than the past five years combined to expand bicycle infrastructure, including protected lanes Downtown and in the North Side, Greenfield and Homewood.

The $76.6 million capital budget sets aside more money for biking than park reconstruction, recreation and senior center improvements and playground rehabilitation.

“We haven’t cut any of those budgets in order to do this,” Mayor Bill Peduto said. “We’re taking care of what’s needed on the infrastructure that’s already there. We’re actually spending more.”

The figure is about $24 million more than the $52.6 million capital budget for 2014. The city floated a $50 million bond in August for capital improvements, with half the money earmarked for 2015 capital improvements and the other half for 2016 projects.

Peduto said the city upped spending on cycling as part of a 10-year plan to establish a network of bike lanes through neighborhoods.

Read the full article on the Tribune Review website.

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.bikepgh.org/membership