Submit comments on Pittsburgh’s 
Bike(+) Plan this February

It’s been a long slog, spanning two Administrations, countless public meetings, open houses, and pop-up events, but the City’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) has released the draft of their citywide Bike(+) Master Plan. It is now up for final review and comment.

Every large US city has a bike plan, and Pittsburgh is no exception. However, our existing bike plan was written in 1999, and for all intents and purposes, is complete. For context, in 1999, the Eliza Furnace Trail was brand new, the only on-street bike lanes were Beechwood Blvd, and the Highland Park and Riverview Park loops, there were no curbside bike racks or bike map, and not one Port Authority bus had bike racks. Such important developments, like the Hot Metal Bridge, were included in the old bike plan.

DOMI has decided to call it the Bike(+) Plan in order to begin the planning for micromobility options like electric stand up scooters and related devices, many of whose users have similar vulnerabilities and may be sharing some of the same infrastructure. These devices will be multiplying on the streets soon (assuming the State legislature legalizes them this year), and it’s wise to think ahead.

Expanding affordable access to jobs and destinations, meeting Climate goals

The ten-year plan lays out a vision for a safe and connected network of on-street and off-street facilities with a goal of making our streets easier, less stressful, and less chaotic for all users of the roadway, no matter how you get around. It’s also a critical step in meeting the city’s climate goals of reducing transportation-related emissions 50% by 2030.

“We are thrilled with the plan and that the City is committing to quickly implement it. Bike friendly streets make it safer and less stressful for everybody to get around, drivers and pedestrians included,” said Scott Bricker, executive director of BikePGH.

An important part of a bike plan is to set expectations and direction for change. Residents, community groups, and City Council will know what is coming down the pipeline so that everyone can plan accordingly.

Included in the plan is a new street type called a “neighborway.” Neighborways are shared streets, usually in residential areas, that are traffic calmed and comfortable for all users. Pittsburgh’s first neighborway is due to open in the South Side, using a series of streets parallel to East Carson St.

The plan also contains a suite of potential policies that the City will pursue.

It’s important that you comment, both on things that you like and dislike. For instance if you have a preference for priority networks, let them know. Additionally, your thoughts on their policy proposals are valuable.

For more information and latest updates, please see DOMI’s site dedicated to the Bike(+) Plan.

Public Comment

For the rest of Febuary DOMI is seeking your feedback about the Bike(+) Plan, please use any of these options to submit your comments:

Via email or phone

Send an email to: bikeped@pittsburghpa.gov
Fill out their Google Form
Call DOMI at (412) 255 8850

Public Meeting Schedule

The best way to see the plan is to attend one of the upcoming public meetings.

Beechview Healthy Active Living
1555 Broadway Avenue, Beechview
Friday 2/21
4:00 – 8:00 PM

Arnold’s Tea
6 Allegheny Square East, Central Allegheny
Monday 2/24
3 PM to 8 PM

The Shop
621 North Dallas Avenue, Homewood
Tuesday, 2/25
3:00 – 8:00 PM

Southside Market House
202 Bedford Square, South Side Flats
Wednesday 2/26
4:00 – 8:00 PM

City-County Building Lobby
414 Grant Street, Downtown
Thursday 2/27
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Carnegie Library Sheraden
720 Sherwood Ave, Sheraden
Monday 3/2
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Alumni Hall
4227 Fifth Ave, Oakland0
Tuesday 3/3
3:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Media Coverage

The Bike (+) Plan is getting a lot of coverage in local news outlets. Forewarning, the comments section of these articles can get fairly aggressive towards cyclists, so please engage with the intent to educate, but most importantly, use your voice to comment on the plan itself.

• City’s plan would add 120 miles of bike lanes – Post Gazette
• Pittsburgh Unveils Draft of City’s Master Bike Plan for Public Comment – KDKA
• After 5 Years Of Work, Pittsburgh Releases Plan To Expand Biking Amenities – WESA
• Pittsburgh’s Draft of new Bike Master Plan lays out plans to triple bike infrastructure – City Paper
• Draft plan calls for more bike lanes in Pittsburgh – TribLIVE
• Pittsburgh unveils plan to add 150 miles of bike lanes – Pittsburgh Magazine
• After 5 years of work, Pittsburgh releases plan to expand biking amenities – WITF

BECOME AN ADVOCATE

JOIN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD’S BIKE/PED COMMITTEE

Want to get more involved with making Pittsburgh better for biking and walking? Become a bike/ped advocate. There are over 20 neighborhood bike/ped committees across the City and surrounding municipalities.

You can find a complete list of them here. You can always start your own committee too! Email anna@bikepgh.org for more information.