A proposed advisory panel for bike lanes won support Wednesday from Pittsburgh City Council, which could take a final vote Tuesday.
“As we increase the bike lanes across the city of Pittsburgh, I think we need to make sure we’re engaging more of the public,” said Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith.
She introduced the legislation last month, arguing that an advisory body would give Pittsburghers a better chance to weigh in on — and influence — often-contentious plans for bicycling infrastructure. At least seven council members endorsed the approach in a preliminary vote Wednesday.
Specifically, the proposal calls for a 13-person Advisory Board on Bicycle Infrastructure. Members would include representatives from the city police, planning and public works divisions, along with those from the bicycling and business communities.
Together, they would craft policy and procedures for developing infrastructure such as bike lanes. They also would contribute to discussions about the state bicycle code and coordinate neighborhood communication about specific bike lane proposals, among other duties.
Council would re-evaluate the board’s responsibilities later, a few months after the planned Complete Streets Commission first meets, according to the legislation. The city’s Complete Streets Policy, approved in November, requires Pittsburgh to consider “all uses” when planning roadways.
Adam Smeltz: 412-263-2625, asmeltz@post-gazette.com, @asmeltz.
First Published: February 16, 2017, 5:00 a.m.
