Interview with Mark Rubenstein President of Pittsburgh Youth Leadership

This is the latest installment of our new Community Spotlight Series, which aims to highlight the incredible work being done here in Pittsburgh to uplift our communities and promote equity and inclusion in cycling.

Who are you? Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in this work?

Mark Rubenstein- Criminal defense attorney interested in stopping the cycle of poverty, crime, drugs, and alcohol.

Tell us a little bit about the Pittsburgh Youth Leadership. How does this project support your community? 

We provide an opportunity for youthful participants to reach their limitless potential through mentorship, the accomplishment of major goals, character building, and all those good lessons one learns on a 1000+ mile bike trip!

What are your hopes for the future of the PYL?

PYL continues to expand and reach more kids with more long-distance bicycle trips and ongoing involvement with our organization. It is our hope to continue that progress.

What resources/ funding/ volunteers/tools/equipment do you need to keep on going? How can people who read this article help?

Long-distance group bicycle trips require both financial resources and equipment. We are always open for donated bicycles with this caveat- we ask kids to cycle 1000+ miles and feel obligated to provide only quality bicycles. If interested in donating a used bicycle, please know that we can only use quality bikes in reasonably good shape for what we ask of our participants.

How can people get involved with PYL?

I suggest that the Pittsburgh cycling community review our website and contact me with possible interest in donations or volunteer work.

Please enjoy the below gallery of images from Pittsburgh Youth Leadership trips. All photos by Mark Rubenstein