Over the past decade, we have come a long way toward making Pittsburgh a safe, affordable and accessible place to get around. While we still have a lot of work ahead, we are on the right path with the publishing of our 10-year Bike(+) Plan in 2020 and installation of miles of bike lanes, paths and traffic-calming measures throughout the city. We are very excited to continue the work of increasing the connectivity of our city with Ed Gainey as the likely next mayor of Pittsburgh.
Mr. Gainey winning the Pittsburgh mayoral primaries is a big deal. Mr. Gainey is a true Pittsburgher, born and raised in East Liberty, he has political experience at the city and state levels, he has consistently shown up for working and everyday people, and he would be the first Black mayor of Pittsburgh. During the primary, we surveyed candidates on their stances toward non-car transportation, and he stated his commitments to investing in the safety and accessibility needs of all users of our roads and sidewalks, with a particular focus on pedestrians, bicyclists and those with mobility needs.
Mr. Gainey’s equity-driven approach to development is precisely in line with the forward-looking Bike(+) Plan and the recently released Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. As Pittsburgh has transformed our landscape, economy and culture in recent decades, too many people have been left behind. Mr. Gainey’s leadership promises to revitalize grassroots politics in our city and refocus on what it means for Pittsburgh to work for all its residents, no matter what you look like or what neighborhood you live in.
When cities have safe, accessible options for bicycling and walking in addition to driving and public transportation, it opens the city up to more people. Nearly a quarter of Pittsburgh households don’t have access to a car, and riding a bicycle is one way low-income people commute to work and get around the city. Our bike infrastructure has facilitated more people safely using roads, and it is so exciting to see the growth of all kinds of exciting projects like the Healthy Ride bike share and community organizations like Black Girls Do Bike.
Bike lanes improve the city for everybody, ensuring all users have a piece of the roadway. Sadly, however, some have insisted on turning bike lanes into a political football, using the issue as a punchline instead of the crucial aspect of equitable, sustainable and people-centered development that it is.
The truth is, Mayor Bill Peduto deserves a lot of credit for the progress we’ve made so far. When he took over as mayor, Mr. Peduto made bicycling and walking safety a priority. With the swift passage of a Complete Streets Policy, the creation of the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, and the installation of the city’s first protected bike lanes, future generations of Pittsburghers will continue to benefit from these changes.
I’m grateful for his leadership in putting Pittsburgh on the path toward Vision Zero — the day when traffic fatalities and serious injuries will be tragedies of the past — though the city has yet to formally endorse Vision Zero as a goal. Mr. Gainey named it in his responses to us, and we hope to see the city of Pittsburgh make the commitment official. Without a doubt, Mr. Peduto took his licks for pushing us in the right direction on our city’s bikeability and walkability, and the history of this city will judge him well for his commitment to improving mobility. Personally, I always liked the “Bike Lane Billy” nickname.
In reality, bike lanes are only divisive in the comments section. A 2021 poll showed that three-quarters of Pittsburgh voters agreed that more alternative transportation infrastructure, including bike lanes, makes Pittsburgh a better place to live and work.
Pittsburgh has recently achieved recognition for our bikeability and traffic safety measures. In addition to protected bike lanes and walkways, Mr. Gainey has promised additional transportation upgrades that would improve life for Pittsburghers who need it most, like supporting public transit improvements. By continuing to move boldly and take innovative approaches to traffic safety by putting people first, we will be able to make Pittsburgh shine as a city that everyone can easily, affordably and safely get around.
We’re incredibly excited to take the next steps with Mr. Gainey toward a city that is accessible for all Pittsburghers. When the city finalized its 10-year Bike(+) Plan, we knew that getting it done for the people of Pittsburgh would take a long-term commitment that would span multiple mayors. Mr. Peduto picked up where Luke Ravenstahl left off, and he had picked up where Tom Murphy left off. Each mayor has added to the previous administrations’ accomplishments. Now it is Mr. Gainey’s turn to take transportation in Pittsburgh to the next level.
We have already achieved massive successes in improving people’s options and safety in getting around, but far too many gaps remain in the network, leaving bicyclists and pedestrians to fend for themselves. In truth, Mr. Gainey himself said it perfectly in his survey response: “I believe that everyone in our city regardless of age, race, income, neighborhood or ability should have one or more safe, affordable and enjoyable ways of getting to work, school, parks, grocery stores, doctors offices and other basic necessities without needing to rely on a car.” Let’s get to work making this a reality.
Scott Bricker is the executive director of BikePGH and resides in East Liberty.
First Published: June 6, 2021, 4:00 a.m.
