Will the Strip District get safer for biking and walking? Attend this public meeting on May 1 to make a difference!

A public meeting on May 1, 2024 at 6pm at The Original Pittsburgh Winery will determine the future of transportation in the Strip District.

The question of whether the Strip will remain hostile or become safer for people walking, biking and taking transit is on the table. The Strip District in general, provides the main source of daily fresh fruit and vegetables for residents, many of whom show up on foot, on bike, or on transit. It’s also an important corridor for people to access some of the most important job centers in the city.

Making sure it’s safe and easy to bike and walk in the Strip District will make sure it’s safer and easier for those who need to drive there as well. A healthy business district relies on people accessing it through all modes of transportation, not just cars.

Background

In 2014, the City installed the Penn Ave bike lanes, a project that made Downtown easier and safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, but was never extended into the Strip District and eastern neighborhoods as planned – something we’ve been pushing for with our Safe Trips in the Strip campaign. 

The Penn Ave bike lanes successfully reduced crashes for people walking and biking while increasing these activities in the corridor. Additionally, the project helped reduce car traffic backing up at intersections such as 16th St.

As the Strip and surrounding areas boom, and even more parking lots get built, the City needs to also plan for how people get to and through the Strip District without needing to drive and park a car. 

As we’ve seen, if we only plan for cars, we’re only going to get more cars.

Mayor Gainey’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) and Councilman Wilson are preparing to finally figure this out.

Public Meeting and Listening Session: Wednesday, May 1

On the evening of Wednesday, May 1 at 6 – 7:30pm, join the Mayor’s Office, DOMI and Councilman Wilson’s office for a public meeting and listening session to go over and discuss their plans for the proposed changes in the Strip District. The meeting will be held at the Original Pittsburgh Winery, 2809 Penn Ave.

Please sign up to let us know you’ll be there so we can update you on our plans for sending a unified message in support of bike lanes and traffic calming!

DOMI is planning changes to both Penn Ave and Smallman St. Among the improvements include traffic calming like curb bump outs and other pedestrian-friendly interventions, as well as access changes such as new bike lanes and loading zones.

Collectively there are several projects in the neighborhood known as the Strip District Mobility Projects. Two of these projects will be discussed during the May 1 public meeting (See below).

Penn Ave Road Diet 

Engage Page: Penn Ave Road Diet

Penn Ave through the Strip District saw 115 crashes with 45 injuries within just the 5 year period of 2018-2022. 13 of these crashes involved pedestrians.

This is an unacceptably high number of crashes along such a short stretch of road, especially in light of the Mayor’s recent commitment to zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Penn Ave, and the Strip District in general, provides the main source of fresh fruit and vegetables for residents, many of whom show up on foot, on bike, or on transit. By not having a safe route, residents’ access to these daily essentials is limited.

This project creates an opportunity to rethink how Penn Ave serves drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and deliveries. In short, the lane configuration on Penn Ave will change to include an exclusive bike lane, reduce the “regular” travel lanes to one, and include more dedicated loading areas, while leaving parking relatively untouched. Additionally, in the “heart of the Strip” they are proposing a heavily traffic calmed, “pedestrian first” shared-lane experience for motorists and bicyclists leading to the existing Penn Ave bike lanes at 16th St.

Smallman Street “Complete Street”

Engage Page: Smallman Street “Complete Street”

Smallman St is currently one lane in each direction. Riding here usually feels sketchy, especially heading outbound during the afternoon rush hour, as aggressive driving is rampant. Drivers have very little room or patience to pass the people on bikes simply trying to commute home or shop in the Strip District. This is the main bike commuter route between Downtown and the eastern neighborhoods, so a dedicated bike lane in the outbound direction will help create a safer connection for these residents who ride bicycles. 

The project aims to install an outbound dedicated bike lane along Smallman St. Due to the changing widths of Smallman St, there is no “typical” cross section, but DOMI intends to use a mix of protected bike lanes and standard bike lanes in the project. Parking will likely be affected in this stretch, but much of it is free.