With info on our ADA porta-potties, water refill spots, first aid, and other amenities to keep you safe and refreshed

The Basics: What is OpenStreetsPGH?

OpenStreetsPGH presented by UPMC Health Plan is a free, family-friendly event hosted by BikePGH multiple times each summer. For each event, we transform several miles of city streets into car-free space for people to walk, bike, roll, dance, skate, shop, and explore. It’s a celebration of community, movement, and the idea that our streets can be more than just a way to get from point A to point B– they can be places to connect, play, and thrive.

We host OpenStreetsPGH to raise awareness about our mission to make Pittsburgh’s streets safer and more accessible for everyone. It’s also a chance to encourage folks to get outside, move their bodies, support local businesses, and experience the joy of car-free streets.

With that, we work hard to make sure our events are safe and accessible!

At OpenStreetsPGH, the safety of our event participants is always our number one priority. We work to continuously update and improve event security procedures in partnership with Pittsburgh Public Safety, Pittsburgh Police, Homeland Security and others to ensure that all necessary precautions are being taken to keep our event routes safe and fun for all ages. We remind all attendees that in the event of any emergency situation, to please call 911.

What to Expect + Safety Info

The July OpenStreetsPGH route is about 3.5 miles long, and will take you through the Strip District and Lawrenceville. The route is open to walkers, rollers, cyclists (including e-bikes), skaters, and scooters! We ask that everyone minds the course speed limit of 10 mph.

OpenStreetsPGH attracts over 10,000 attendees! Be prepared for crowds and noise, and wear a mask if that helps you feel safe.

The entire route is closed off to car and motorcycle traffic. However, vehicles may cross the route at specified intersections. There are public safety officials and volunteers at these intersections who will be helping to guide traffic. When at an open intersection, don’t go unless your light is green or you have been directed to by public safety officials. 

While on the main roadway, follow the rules of the road! Ride predictably and safely; faster moving traffic (bikes, scooters, roller blades) MUST yield to pedestrians, wheelchairs, and slower moving traffic.  

Hubs & Amenities

There are two Hubs along the route, the Duquesne Light Company Kids & Family Hub at Butler St + 52nd St, and the Strip District Terminal Wellness Hub at Smallman St + 19th St. These Hubs are gathering spots along the route, with lots of fun vendors from the Pittsburgh area! 

Both Activity Hubs have:

• Porta-potties (ADA-compliant units available)
• Water refill stations – bring a reusable bottle or check in at the BikePGH tent if you don’t have one!
• First Aid and EMS ambulances – located at both of the Activity Hubs.
  • BikePGH staff are trained in Emergency First Aid + CPR 

You can check the map towers at each Hub for information or talk to a BikePGH staff member at the green information tent.

The route is accessible by foot, bike, bus, or car. For directions and transportation tips, check out this page! There are no designated parking areas for the event, but you’re welcome to park wherever is legally and safely available. You can enter the route at any point—there’s no need to start at either end.

This is an active, outdoor event—but there are lots of spots to rest along the way. Public benches can be found in Arsenal Park, just off the route, and many shops along the route offer places to sit. 

Hungry or thirsty? We encourage you to support the local businesses along the route. Check out our Local Gems list for some great food and drink options!

Need help on the day of the event? Ask public safety or BikePGH staff. It is our mission to make this a fun, worry-free affair. If you have questions ahead of the event, feel free to email us at info@bikepgh.org. Other than that, the Open Streets are all yours for the duration of the event – we look forward to seeing you out there!

ABOUT OPENSTREETSPGH

This event is organized by Bike Pittsburgh and is made possible through major support from UPMC Health Plan. Generous support is also provided by the Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation, Main Streets Allegheny – a program of Allegheny County Economic Development, Edgar Snyder & Associates, Duquesne Light Company, Walnut Capital, The Strip District Terminal, Waymo, Alcosan, PNC Bank, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, City Cast Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh’s Public Source, Eat’n Park, Michael Baker International, Southwestern PA Commission (SPC), Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT), Airport Corridor Transportation Association (ACTA), Stage AE.