Now if they'd bothered to call us, we could've given them a photo of the 2009 keg ride.
Y'all should give yourself a pat on the back! keep on making pittsburgh a fun and great place to ride!!
so much to do here on a bike!
also props to the city for taking on this task. there's a lot of work to do, but we're on the right track!
couldn't have happened without bikepgh! thanks!
Man, i thought there'd be a bit more discussion about this one
I was waiting till yall got the full info about it.
Bronze. Whoohoo! The following criteria totally sounds like us. The only thing I don't know much about is "enforcement" and how much our officers know about the laws regarding cycling.
What do you think?
Bronze: Communities exhibit a strong commitment to cycling that is still in its beginning stages. There is certainly “room to grow” but notable steps are being made in the right direction.
* Engineering: Community recently implemented a policy to engineer streets with the consideration of bicyclists and/or is beginning to develop a trail network. Facilities conform to the currently recognized safety standards.
* Education: Community holds bicycle safety events, provides opportunities for bicycle education.
* Encouragement: Community hosts a Bike to Work Day or community ride.
* Enforcement: Officers are familiar with laws relating to bicyclists.
* Evaluation & Planning: The community is familiar with and responsive to the needs of cyclists. A bicycle master plan or chapter in another document has been developed and approved. Bicycle mode share is above average for U.S. communities.
I'm pretty amazed we were awarded bronze status. Pretty impressive considering where the city was 10 years ago.
If things continue at this rate, imagine where we will be 10 years from now>
@Eric: Maybe in 10 years we can only hope the first-ring suburbs begin to seriously consider being as bike-friendly. I'm at least looking at the South Hills, river communities, maybe even more rails-to-trails projects.
i think that we have a police force with a bike squad helps them understand the laws some. many cities don't even have that
When I moved here in 1990 I was a pretty active recreational cyclist and this was one depressing town to ride a bike in. Angry drivers, poorly swept roads (you think they are bad now?) no fun at all. I was way excited when the Jail trail was built, but it did not get all that much use from cyclists at first. About six years ago a buddy ruptured his Achilles tendon and took up cycling to rehab. Seizing the opportunity to ride with someone we started daring to do things like cross the Highland Park Bridge (at first on the sidewalk--crushed glass city!) and riding into Fox Chapel or maybe up as far as Guys Run Road. We soon found other cyclists and now get way out of town on weekends. About five years ago it seemed reasonable to me to start commuting to work when the weather was fair. But I have to say I never saw very many cyclists doing the same. But the past three years have been amazing to observe. Cycling has really taken root in this city and I don't think it will be going away any time soon. My group goes out for long rides in all sorts of directions and we almost always see other cyclists. But it's the growth in bikes as transport that really stands out. Even in the depths of last winter's snows I saw people riding bikes. Even when I commute in the rain I see other people on bikes (two today). I think, thanks to Bike Pgh and all you folks, we're going to be moving up to Silver, Gold and probably even Platinum status over the next few years.
I got a bronze metal once when I was younger, it sucked. I'm not really an awards type of person - it's the ride, not the destination...
And I agree with Steve's quote in the article, in that, although there have been many achievements and the city is much more bike-friendly than it was 5 years ago, he and others will continue because their ultimate goals have not yet been realized. I like that.
I got a bronze metal too (well, 3rd place, but same thing!) in the Science Fair and I was so stoked!
This is great news. Congrats, Bike Pgh, on this award for all your hard work!
I used to look at that Bicycle Friendly Communities list and think no way Pittsburgh could be included... well, maybe, some distant day...
And here it is! Now to climb up to Platinum.
Black & Gold = Bronze
Add this to the running list of why I love this city.
Congrats, BikePGH!
we also just topped the list of most livable cities on forbes.com again. check out the photo they used to show what a livable city should be like.
yup, nothing says livable city like cruising on the bike path. Too bad it's a stock photo and not an actual Pittsburgh area trail.
actually its a photo from one of the other cities in the list.
oh, well good for them 
I am sooooooo excited about the keg ride.
keg ride?
