Curious about the new Bus Rapid Transit project, or the trail coming to an old rail bridge over the Allegheny? This virtual gathering will get you learning about both!

Every few months, BikePGH brings together neighborhood bike/ped committees, advocates, and anyone who wants safer streets in Pittsburgh and neighboring communities. We share updates, discuss how to support one another, and hear directly from the people shaping our streets.

We host four of these gatherings each year: two in-person in the warmer months, usually paired with social time after, and two on Zoom when it’s colder. This next one will be on Zoom on December 8th, 6 – 7:30pm, and it’s all about two major bike/ped infrastructure projects in the works.

All are welcome, whether or not you’re part of a neighborhood advocacy group yet. If you want to get involved with one or start your own, we’ll tell you how!

New bike lanes on Fifth & Forbes

If you’ve been through Uptown or Oakland lately, you’ve seen the construction on Fifth & Forbes. Navigating it has been a challenge, but it’s nearly over, and we think the final outcome will be worth the growing pains! The new “PRTX University Line” bus rapid transit route between Downtown and Oakland comes with new bike lanes and extensive walking improvements.

Some of the designs will be new to a lot of people, so we’ve invited staff from PRT and the City’s Department of Mobility & Infrastructure (DOMI) to share a refresher on the biggest changes, how to use the new infrastructure safely, and how you can pass that knowledge along to your own community.

The caveat here is that some pieces won’t be fully operational until spring 2027, so this is a great chance to get your questions answered and know what to expect before it all opens.

The Brilliant Branch Trail

This is the one we’re hearing a lot of excitement about! In 2025, Allegheny County bought the Brilliant Branch, a retired rail line that crosses the Allegheny River between Aspinwall and Pittsburgh’s Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood, to develop a 3.6-mile trail along it (Pittsburgh Union Progress). The County is just kicking off planning and design, which makes this the perfect time to learn how the project will work and how you can weigh in.

You’ll hear from:

• John Stephen of the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy, on how the trail fits into the bigger picture of trail connections in the area, including the newly designated Allegheny River Boulevard Scenic Byway.
• Adriana Bowman from the City’s Department of City Planning, on the City’s related Waterways and Woodlands study that will inform neighborhood trail and greenway connections.
• Ann Ogoreuc from Allegheny County Economic Development, on the latest corridor plans and a preview of upcoming public engagement.

They’ll explain how the County, the City, and surrounding communities are working together on the trail and its connections, and then we’ll open it up for your questions.

Join us December 8

We’ll wrap up with quick updates from BikePGH and the advocacy network. You’ll leave knowing how to use the new Downtown ➝ Oakland lanes, and ready to show up when the Brilliant Branch Trail’s public engagement opens.

Register for the December 8 Advocacy Network Gathering on 12/8 at 6pm and we’ll email you the Zoom link before the event. The gathering will be recorded and posted to our YouTube channel, but we hope you’ll join us live to ask your questions!

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Wanna catch up and review the entire year with us?

We’re bringing the BikePGH community together for a special end-of-year gathering:

BikePGH’s Annual Members Meeting & Awards
📅 Tues. Dec. 1st, 5:30PM – 8PM
📍MuseumLab, North Side
🎟️ FREE for BikePGH supporters (RSVP here)

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