Bloomfield bike lanes complete

Pittsburgh pedaling improving

Burgh bikers blazing through Bloomfield Tuesday found freshly painted lanes along Liberty Avenue. The Department of Public Works outlined on-street bike lanes and sharrows (shared lanes) on both sides from The Bloomfield Bridge to Ligonier Street (near Pittsburgh Brewing). Signs were also posted.

Scott Bicker, executive director of Bike Pittsburgh, said the Bloomfield lanes signify the city's willingness to share the roads. A Mellon foundation grant and political support helped fuel the project. On Monday, June 18, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl will ride along the new lanes.

"This has been in the works for so long," said Bicker. "We've been measuring streets, talking to people and going to meetings for years." Grant Street, he said, has backed the idea of increasing road safety for bikers.

"Pittsburgh is more bike friendly than many people think," said Bicker. "Pittsburgh's tricky because there isn't a grid and many of the streets twist around like spaghetti," he said, "but it's not impossible to improve accessibility."

Another bike lane is slated for next week in Squirrel Hill, depending on the availability of Public Works labor. 

In July, Bike PGH will offer maps to help cyclists navigate city streets. Bike PGH, a non-profit group with about 500 members and 2000 newsletter subscribers, will sell the map via its website.

"Two neighborhoods is great but not enough," said Bicker. "We have a long way to go."

Pinkcycle photo by Jeff Glagowski. Click image for larger view.

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