eMessenger: Are we about to see the first bike lanes in Oakland?

Consultants are recommending reducing the number of lanes on Forbes Ave, through CMU. These are the four Forbes Ave concepts being presented on Thursday. Click on the image to view a larger size.

Want better biking in Oakland? Show up to this important public meeting!!

You may remember that a little over a month ago we asked you to take a survey about your experience walking and/or biking in Oakland. There was also a traffic and parking analysis done to determine what CMU can do to make walking and biking safer through the Fifth/Forbes Corridor. The goal of the Study is to provide a safe system that accommodates "all users, walkers, bicyclists, transit riders, and automobile drivers."

Well, the results are in and they are helping shape the future of Carnegie Mellon University's area of Oakland. Basically, the consultants found that there are too many traffic lanes on Forbes Ave, cars drive well over the posted speed limit, bicyclists ride on the sidewalk because they don't feel comfortable on the street, and the sidewalks are too narrow for pedestrians.

They are presenting several concepts, one of which will be "officially recommended" to move to the next stage after receiving public input. You can view the full report as a pdf here.

ATTEND THIS PUBLIC MEETING: We know this is last minute, but we were just alerted to this very important public meeting taking place on CMU's campus on Thursday. We need you to show up to help shape which of the concepts will move forward.

Public Meeting on the future of Forbes Ave

Thursday, November 18, 2010 from 3-7 p.m

CMU Campus, University Center, Dowd Room
[map]

Thursday, November 18

3-7pm

The meeting is an "open house" fomat, so feel free to show up any time between 3-7pm.

Bike Lanes and "sharrows" installed on Wilkins, Highland, Hamilton with more to come
wilkins ave

BikePGH Executive Director, Scott Bricker, checking out the fresh bike lanes on Wilkins Ave in Squirrel Hill

The East End bike network continues to expand with the addition of bike lanes on Wilkins Ave and shared lane markings, or "sharrows" on Highland Ave and Hamilton Ave.

A slew of East End streets are expected to receive bike-friendly markings this month. Wilkins, the first of these streets, is part of an effort to connect the neighborhoods, and the respective parks, with a clearly marked bike route. Also due to be installed are markings on N Dallas Ave, Hamilton Ave, Forbes Ave, and Highland Ave. After, you will be able to bike from Schenley Park to Frick Park to Highland Park completely on streets with either bike lanes or sharrows. Likewise, once completed, it will connect six neighborhoods with continuous bike infrastructure.

Find out more about the East End bike lanes and "sharrows" on our blog

Be sure to send a quick "THANK YOU" email to the Mayor's 311 response line!

Announcement: Port Authority to complete the fleet with bike racks by next year

No more guess work will make it easier to use the bus
The Port Authority announced today that they will be outfitting the remainder of their bus fleet with bike racks by fall of next year. Thanks to years of advocacy, phone calls, emails, and showing up to public meetings, all the pieces are in place to outfit the remaining 190 buses with racks.

This is a great example of how our advocacy works and we can't do it without the support of our members.
If you have a minute, please click here to send them a brief note of thanks.

With that said, the Port Authority is facing unprecedented cuts in service.

To find out more and what to do about it, see the new website keeppghmoving.com

Click the image to purchase a gift membership for your cycling loved ones

BikePGH Gift Memberships Available

Give the gift of safer streets and transportation!

Your bike-riding friends and loved ones deserve to be safe when out there on the streets. So please give them a gift that not only helps them, but all of their friends, their friend's friends, and people that they don't even know! It really is the gift that keeps on giving.

Make sure to place your Gift Membership purchase by Friday, November 19 to ensure delivery for Hanukkah, or Wednesday, December 15 for Christmas and Kwanzaa.

Click here to purchase a gift Membership

Join Bike Pittsburgh: the only organization working to make Pittsburgh a better place to ride a bicycle.

We are a member-based organization that works to protect cyclist's rights and promote the vision of making Pittsburgh a safer and more enjoyable place to live and to ride. Our work would not be possible without the support of our members. Your support is essential to continue the improvements we've made in the past few years.

When you become a member, you:

Add your voice to one of the fastest growing and most transformative organizations in Pittsburgh with over 1,400 current up-to-date dues-paying members
Receive an invitation to Bike Pittsburgh's annual membership meeting and other special events
Demonstrate your support for our mission of developing Pittsburgh as a city that is increasingly safe, accessible, and friendly to bicycle transportation.
Receive our Newsletter, The BikePGH eMessenger (email)
Enter the vibrant and creative cycling community in Pittsburgh
Receive discounts from dozens of local businesses that support a bicycle-friendly Pittsburgh

Please become a member and make sure that we will be here working on your behalf for years to come!

Not a member of BikePGH? Join today! Membership is our most important source of income, and we need you to add your voice! BikePGH works to protect cyclist's rights and promote the vision of making Pittsburgh a safer and more enjoyable place to live and to ride. BECOME A MEMBER TODAY

Already a member and want to contribute a bit more? Every little bit helps. Whether it's for purchasing bike racks, engineering bike lanes, printing the Pittsburgh Bike Map, or helping us pay our phone bill, you can be sure that we put your donation to good use. Make an ADDED DONATION to help make the change that you want to see.

Help us spread the word! Simply click on the icons of your favorite social networking site right now!

Cycling Calendar of Events

All Things Cycling in the Greater Pittsburgh Region!

Here are some highlights:

Thurs, November 18: Public Meeting about bike/ped initiatives on Forbes Ave CMU

Fri, November 19: Flock of Cycles Party Ride Slow paced 10 mile-ish ride around the city

Sat, November 20: Rally to save public transit - Say no to service cuts, Mellon Square

Wed, November 24: Rally to save transit service - Port Authority Board meeting, 346 6th Ave

Fri, November 26: Critical Mass - Last Friday, every month

Sat, November 28: Dirty Dozen Race - An annual Pittsburgh tradition

Fri, December 3: Flock of Cycles Midnight Mass - Quick, fun, no person left behind

Click on the button below for info on these as well as other events

If you have a Google Calendar you can easily subscribe to our events listing.

If you have a bike event or ride you'd like to submit, let us know about it.

Bike Pittsburgh gratefully acknowledges the Richard King Mellon Foundation, Heinz Endowments, The Sprout Fund, The Benter Foundation, The Alliance for Biking & Walking and our members for their generous support.

Bike Pittsburgh
3410 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
412-325-4334
news@bike-pgh.org

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