Make a difference: Share your Story

Your support at the public meetings about Smallman St. has shown that cycling in, around, and through the Strip District is not a marginal issue but a major concern for this area. Last week, the City committed to bike lanes on Smallman St, between 16th and 21st, but that is just the beginning.

Ultimately, we still need to push for a seamless connection to the eastern neighborhoods, using any of the available streets or rights of way. The City installed the Penn Ave bike lanes four years ago, and have yet to come up with a plan to connect them to the eastern neighborhoods, the original intent, leading us to launch our #ExtendPenn campaign.

After the series of Smallman St meetings, many of you have been asking how to get involved. Here are 4 things you can do right now:

1. Write a letter to the editor

A fantastic and public way to share your opinion about the Smallman St. plan is writing a response to the meetings in the form of a letter to the editor. Anyone who’s read the comments section of our local newspapers know that we have a long way to go for people to accept biking on city streets. That’s why it’s crucial that we write to our papers when issues arise, like Smallman St. Below are the guidelines for writing a letter to the editor for both the Trib and Post-Gazette.

TribLIVE

• Must be no longer than 200 words
• All letters must list the author’s name, address and telephone number
• No thank-you letters or letters of praise for individuals or groups will be published
• Address: Letters to the Editor, Tribune-Review, 622 Cabin Hill Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601
• E-mail: opinion@tribweb.com
• Click here for more info on how to submit a letter to the editor

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

• No more than 250 words
• Address no more than 1 topic: BE CONCISE
• Include your address & phone number for verification
• Pseudonyms or anonymous letters are not published and all letters are subject to editing.
• Address: Letters to the Editor, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 358 North Shore Drive, Suite 300, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
• E-mail: letters@post-gazette.com
• Click here for more info on how to submit a letter to the editor

2. Write to DOMI Director, Karina Ricks

The Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) is responsible for managing the operation of and access to the public right-of-way in the City of Pittsburgh. DOMI Director, Karina Ricks needs to hear your story and your opinion. She needs to know that having bike lanes matter, that a safe, easy way to get through the Strip is imperative, and that having an overall plan for the area is necessary. Director Ricks has asked that you write to her so that she knows what is important to you. E-mail, karina.ricks@pittsburghpa.gov with your letter.

3. Write a Guest Blog Post 

Here at BikePGH, we want to share your story about getting through the Strip District. We are looking for 250 words about your experience getting through the area rather than a solution for how to fix it.  Also, if you have a picture of yourself and your bike to send with it, please attach. If you don’t have one, we’d be happy to take a picture of you and your bike. Pictures enhance a story. E-mail, anna@bikepgh.org, if you want to share your story.

4. write to Councilwoman Deb Gross

Show your support for #ExtendPenn by writing to Councilwoman Deb Gross. One of the best ways that we have for pushing the #ExtendPenn campaign is by writing to her on the matter. If you live in District 7, please consider writing a letter to her about your support for bike lanes and making sure that there is an overall plan for the area.  Submit your comments here.

Your Voice Matters

Any letter, comment, essay, etc. about the Smallman Street proposal is meaningful and goes a long way in helping to make this project a public process, include bike lanes, and consider the big picture plan for the area.

Be sure to check out our campaign page and join our #ExtendPenn email list if you havent already! Visit bikepgh.org/extendpenn! 

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