I may be relocating to Pittsburgh and I was wondering which firms have showers downtown? Specifically, does PNC have showers in their office?
You may want to search the forums for this--there has been discussion about this in the past. Dunno about PNC myself.
I do know that YMCA memberships are reasonably affordable, and when I was working downtown, I considering getting a membership to use the locker rooms.
Not Downtown, but Ansaldo (a.k.a. Union Switch & Signal) out on Second Ave, is so equipped. Easy hop from Jail Trail.
Three of my four employers have had showers. The fourth, I made do with baby wipes and a laundry sink. But your specific situation may vary, so you should ask your prospective employer directly.
Thanks for all the info. I will be moving to Pittsburgh in December and starting at PNC and will be commuting from Sq. Hill, so if you have any advice, let me know...
A huge welcome to you. If it's the main PNC building, by Grant street, you've already picked out probably the most ideal commute possible. All downhill on the way in, you could take it easy on the way in and might not even need a shower, just a quick change. And you get a kick-ass workout on the way home.
btw, where are you moving from?
+1 what edmonds59 said. I live in highland park and get a very similar, easy downhill commute into work downtown (we don't have showers and I make do) and an uphill on the way home I can turn into as hard of a workout as I want. I'm glad it's not the other way around! I simply wouldn't have the motivation to ride that hill to work in the mornings.
PNC at Firstside (500 1st ave) has showers. The procedure is that you need to leave "collateral" (which I assume to mean your drivers license) at the security desk. They give you a key to get into the locker room on the next floor down. You get your id back when you return the key.
Why they didn't just put the swipe card on the door and grant access just like they do for all the other doors in the building is beyond me.
It's my understanding that there's a nascent idea for a "bike commuter central station" downtown with public showers and lots of bike racks. I don't know if this is something Bike-PGH hopes to fund or something they're trying to get the city to fund, or if I'm completely making this up. Can anyone can confirm or deny?
Oh, and welcome Jacobkosoff! If you want someone to show you the Pittsburgh cycling ropes as it were when you arrive, post here and I'm sure you can find some group rides.
Welcome to Pittsburgh Jacobkosoff.They do have showers at the YMCA,but I think you have to be a member. Just curious, where are you relocating from??
The BikeStation(TM) people claim that they have been involved in a project in Pittsburgh.
There was some talk that the bike rental place by the jail would be a full-fledged bikestation, back in the late 90s, but that never took off. I heard that Fear Of The Different killed it post 9/11/01, but it could have died of natural causes.
I too have heard talk about reviving this, and I think there is funding in the works for a new feasibility study.
To me, the idea of a bikestation is attractive, but one of the things I like about biking to work is that I can easily park right near my office. A bikestation doesn't give me that. A "parking garage for bikes" along the automotive model somewhat misses the point of what's so great about bikes and downtowns. If I didn't have showers available to me, I might feel differently.
Lyle: totally agree. I more like the idea for the showers.
Your (TM) implies this has been done elsewhere, and that it's a company? Or are you being silly?
If the former: are their showers something you'd pay a monthly fee for, and would that fee be significantly less than a YMCA membership or something?
If the latter: teehee.
From my experience, unless you are meeting with clients all day, and/or have to wear a three piece suit, you can get by without a shower. I've done some pretty hard (as in, I would sweat a lot) commutes (Morningside to Allison Park, Morningside to Sewickley), and managed to get by with some body wipes and deodorant. When I worked downtown, I considered a YMCA membership, but figured I didn't need to spend $50/month.
there will be a bike parking station opening up soon in downtown, near the 7th street bridge (i think)
it's where that new huge green mural with the bike on it is.
it's going to be protected bike parking where you will rent a space for the year, and you get a swipe card to let you into a locking container where you can then lock your bike up inside.
This is what i'm talking about. we'll be posting more info once its available and closer to opening
alnilam: http://www.bikestation.org
Erok, Does it cost a lot to have all those riot po-lice guarding our bikes?
