🗳 Update: The results of the 2023 municipal primaries are in! Check the county’s website to see all the details, and see below where we’ve made note of the winner. Thanks again to all of the candidates who participated in our survey.
District 1 includes parts of the Northside and Downtown to the Strip District
Biking and walking are not only quality of life issues, they are political issues. Elected officials determine how much is invested in our streets, and whether or not those investments make biking and walking safer and less stressful. Biking and walking are healthy, affordable ways to get around, and positively address air quality and climate change. They are good for the economy, and biking and walking infrastructure make our streets safer. If our streets are dangerous for biking and walking, the outcomes affect us all.
In Pittsburgh Council District 1, Councilperson Wilson is being challenged by Steven Oberst in the May 16 Democratic primary.
We wanted to be sure to give these candidates an opportunity to talk directly to the voters on these issues, so that you can better understand where they are coming from and make an informed decision for who to cast your vote for on the May 16 primary and November 7 elections.
Note: Steven Oberst did not respond to our survey.
We’d like to offer a sincere “thank you” to the candidates for participating.
1. We envision a Pittsburgh where people can thrive without needing to own a car. What role do you think city council plays in making Pittsburgh an easier place for people to live and visit without a car?
Bobby Wilson – *WINNER*
Democrat
votebobbywilson.com
1. Fight for more cash for public transit: Even though the county’s in charge of public transportation, you can work with those folks to get more funding for buses and trains, and to make the system better for more parts of the city.
2. Use city money to build more sidewalks and bike lanes: You can put some of the city’s cash into making it easier and safer for people to walk and bike around town. Working with the DOMI, you can figure out what areas should be prioritized for getting new sidewalks and bike lanes built.
3. Help slow down the cars: You can push for ways to make cars go slower on our city streets. By working with city agencies, you can find places where cars are speeding and hurting people and work to make those places safer.
4. Make it easier for people to live, work, and play in the same area: You can help developers build more mixed-use neighborhoods with homes, stores, and businesses all in one place. That way, people don’t have to drive all over the place to get what they need.
5. Plan events that don’t need cars: As a member of the Pittsburgh City Council, you can organize events that don’t need cars, like OpenStreetsPGH events or Car-Free Days. These events can get people excited about different ways to get around and show them that owning a car is not necessary to living well in Pittsburgh.
By taking these steps, we can make Pittsburgh a better and easier place to live for everybody, no matter how they get around.
2. As with roads, sidewalks and public transit, biking only works well when there are complete networks of safe streets people can use to get around. What are your thoughts on the current bikeway network. What’s working? Where can the City improve?
Bobby Wilson
Democrat
votebobbywilson.com
What’s working:
-We’ve made some progress on building bike lanes and sharrows, which is good news.
-We’ve got a bike share program, POGOH, which makes it easier to get around on two wheels.
Where the City can improve:
-We’ve still got a lot of gaps in the bikeway network, which makes it tough to get around. We need to fill those gaps and make sure the whole network is connected.
-Some of the bike lanes are in pretty bad shape, and we need to make sure they’re maintained better so they’re safe for cyclists to use.
-There are some places where the bike lanes don’t do enough to protect riders from traffic, which can be scary and unsafe.
To make biking better in Pittsburgh, here’s what we can do:
Work with the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) to evaluate gaps in the network and get bike lanes built where they’re needed most.
Make sure we’re budgeting enough money to keep the bike lanes and sharrows in good shape.
Work with other city agencies to make sure the streets with bike lanes are safe for riders.
Overall, I think we’ve made some good progress on the bikeway network, but there’s still a lot of work to do. Let’s work together to make biking a great option for people of all ages and abilities in Pittsburgh!
3. What transportation project in your district are you particularly excited about? How will it benefit people who get around without a car?
Bobby Wilson – *WINNER*
Democrat
votebobbywilson.com
One major improvement is the planned reduction of travel lanes along the corridor. This will make the road safer for motorists and improve traffic flow, while also creating more space for other modes of transportation, including public transit. The widened sidewalks at bus stops and additional bus shelters will improve transit access and comfort, while the potential for transit signal priority will speed up buses and make them more reliable.
For pedestrians, the Liberty Avenue HSIP Project includes several important improvements such as pedestrian pushbuttons, ADA accommodations, and countdown signals that will improve pedestrian safety and mobility, making it easier and safer for people to walk to and from nearby destinations. These improvements will be especially beneficial to seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children who rely on public transit to get around.
Finally, the coordination between agencies, stakeholders, and other projects within the Strip District is a major consideration for these Liberty Avenue improvements. This collaborative approach ensures that the needs of all community members are taken into account and that the project is tailored to meet the unique needs of the area.
Overall, I believe that the Liberty Avenue HSIP Project is an important investment in the safety and accessibility of the Strip District corridor, particularly for people who rely on public transit. The widened sidewalks, additional bus shelters, and potential for transit signal priority, as well as the pedestrian safety and mobility upgrades, will benefit non-car users in the area and make it easier and safer for everyone to get around. I look forward to seeing the project move forward and the positive impact it will have on our community.
4. What’s a particularly dangerous problem or location in your district for walkers, bikers, or people with disabilities that you would like to fix?
Bobby Wilson – *WINNER*
Democrat
votebobbywilson.com
As a representative, it is important for me to listen to the concerns of the community and address their needs. I plan to work closely with community members, city officials, and transportation experts to identify dangerous intersections and improve safety measures for pedestrians, cyclists, and people with disabilities.
In particular, I would like to focus on the Strip District area, where there is a high volume of foot and bike traffic. By improving crosswalks, adding bike lanes, and implementing traffic calming measures, we can create a safer environment for all who use the roadways.
I believe that investing in safer streets for non-car users not only benefits individuals but also contributes to a healthier and more vibrant community. By working together, we can make meaningful progress towards creating safer streets for everyone.
5. Why should people who care about safe streets for biking and walking vote for you?
Bobby Wilson – *WINNER*
Democrat
votebobbywilson.com
I have championed bills to make it illegal to park in a bike lane, which is a major safety concern for bikers who have to swerve into traffic to avoid parked cars. By passing this bill, I have helped to create a safer environment for bikers and make it clear that blocking bike lanes is unacceptable in Pittsburgh.
In addition, I passed a bill that reduced speed limits in our parks, which is an important step towards creating a safer environment for walkers, bikers, and other park users. This demonstrates my commitment to creating safe spaces for everyone to enjoy, and my understanding of the unique challenges facing pedestrians and bikers in our community.
Moreover, I have also been a strong advocate for creating accessible and inclusive outdoor dining spaces. I sponsored an outdoor dining bill that is ADA-friendly, with specific standards that businesses must meet to ensure there is enough room on the sidewalk for everyone to walk safely. This shows my commitment to taking a proactive approach to addressing accessibility issues and ensure that all residents can enjoy the benefits of outdoor dining without any barriers. People who care about safe streets for biking and walking can trust that I will continue to work tirelessly to create a more accessible and safer community for everyone.
In addition, I have a deep understanding of the specific challenges facing District 1, including issues related to pedestrian and bike safety. I’m committed to listening to the concerns of residents and working collaboratively with stakeholders to find solutions to these issues.
By re-electing me to City Council, residents can be assured that they will have a strong advocate who will work tirelessly to ensure that our streets are safe and accessible for all. I have the knowledge, experience, and commitment needed to make real progress on these important issues, and I’m the best candidate to represent the interests of everyone in District 1.
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