Last week Pittsburgh City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that requires new and change-in-use buildings to install bike parking.
"It makes sure that bikes are considered during the planning process, instead of trying to retrofit for them afterward," says Bike Pittsburgh's Scott Bricker. "Before this, there was no requirement whatsoever for bike parking for any development in the city. This is a great first step."
In short, Bricker explains, apartment buildings with more than 12 units will be required to have one bike spot for every three apartments. And new projects between 6,000 and 20,000 square feet must offer at least one bike parking spot, and another space for each additional 10,000 square feet. The legislation also offers economic initiatives for developers and property owners to replace car spaces with bike spaces.
Bike Pittsburgh has been working on this measure with the planning department and Stephen Patchan, the City's Bike/Ped coordinator, for more than two years.
Another of Bike Pittsburgh's big projects, its yearly Bike Map, is expected to be released within the next couple weeks. The print map--now in its third revision--will be distributed to area shops, cafes and hotspots. It features updated bike lines and sharrows, as well as some reworked icons and simpler, consolidated routes.
Additionally, Pittsburgh cyclists can look out for new bike lines and sharrows this spring and summer. Anticipated projects include: Completing the route along Forbes Avenue from South Braddock down to Morewood Avenue; North Highland from East Liberty up to the park; portions of Beechwood Boulevard; and Liberty Avenue between the Bloomfield Bridge and 40th Street.
Bike Pittsburgh is also taking part in a "Five Percent Wednesday" at the EastSide Whole Foods. Five perfect of all sales on April 14 will benefit Bike Pittsburgh.
Sign up to receive Pop City each week.
Writer: Caralyn Green
Source: Scott Bricker, executive director, Bike Pittsburgh
Photograph courtesy of Bike Pittsburgh