The most livable city, that's us again, is also one of the top 16 bicycle friendly communities in the country, a bronze status bestowed by the League of American Bicyclists.
Livable and bike friendly all in one week, what more can one city ask?
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl seized the opportunity to tout the fruits of hiring the state's first bicycle and pedestrian coordinator and several initiatives that have helped to put local biking on the national map. Among them are the development of a bicycle Route and Sign Strategic Plan, which will place signage along designated routes, add 25 miles of on-street paving and five miles of shared lane markings and more than 200 bike racks in neighborhood business districts and parks.
"The bicycle community is realizing that Pittsburgh is doing everything it can to lead the way and become an even more livable, sustainable, bike-friendly community," said Ravenstahl. "Thanks to support from the foundation community and Bike Pittsburgh, we've held ourselves accountable and have achieved great success."
"It is inspiring how far Pittsburgh has come since 1990 when Bicycling Magazine named us one of the three worst cities in the U.S. for biking," added Scott Bricker, Bike Pittsburgh executive director. "But this is only the beginning and we look forward to working with the city to follow the League's prescription to get us to gold, or who knows, maybe even one day platinum."
In other biking news, Pittsburgh is among the regions tapping a federal bicycle commuter tax benefit that provides reimbursement to employees who bike to work on a regular basis. Chatham University is among the first here to promote the provision.
The benefit offers up to $20 a month, or $240 a year, to defray some of the fixed costs of biking to work. Deductible costs include bike locks, helmets, bike parking, shower facilities, even a commuting bike. The program is part of Chatham's Fit for the Future.
Writer: Deb Smit
Source: Mayor Luke, Pittsburgh; Scott Bricker, Bike Pittsburgh; Chatham University
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