Biking into the city from Bethel Park? (Pittsburgh, Allentown: dangerous, safest)

[Outlander77]

Hello,

I recently moved from the DC area and was wondering if there were any bike paths that led into the city or close to it? It appears as if there aren't any by my observation, but hopefully I'm wrong.

[I_Like_Spam]

I wouldn't try it.

Bethel Park is connected to Pittsburgh by PA 88 and US19, very busy roadways- I don't like to drive it in a car, on a bike you would be risking your life.

Further, you can't go through the tunnels, or use the West End bypass on the last leg of the journey.

You'd have to go up over Mt. Washington through Belthoover and Allentown.


Its a crazy trip on a bicycle.

[sskink]

Biking into town from pretty much anywhere in the South Hills is a dangerous proposition. Roads are narrow, few bike lanes on major thoroughfares and car traffic doesn't like you.

Probably the best map of routes is here. As you can see, going up Mt. Washington is safest, if you can get there, and if you like big hills.

[selltheburgh]

go to bike-pgh.org - lots of helpful people on their messageboard.

Depending on which part of BP, I'd suggest Baptist - Weyman - Provost - 51 for a few lights - Maytide to Brownsville to Carson.

Not a pleasant ride because of fast moving cars.

[SlurmsMcKenzie]

Unfortunately there are no gaps in Mt. Washington between the West End and Glenwood bridges. On top of that, both sides of the hill have barriers (the river, Rt. 51). There aren't many options and unfortunately not a lot of opportunities for improvement. A bike trail roughly paralleling 51 and connecting up to the Great Allegheny Passage in the West End would probably be the most ideal solution (and still out of the way for someone coming from Bethel Park).

[Aqua Teen Carl]

You'd be lucky if you'd make it to 51, and if you did make it to 51 on a bike you'd wish you hadn't. Long story short, it just can't be done on a bike.

You could hop onto the T with your bike though.

[norcider]

It can be done, I have a friend who does it by traversing Mt. Washington at Allentown. He's 47 years old. It sure is dangerous though.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Originally Posted by norcider

It can be done, I have a friend who does it by traversing Mt. Washington at Allentown. He's 47 years old. It sure is dangerous though.

From Bethel Park though? To get to either Mt. Washington or Allentown you'd have to cross 51 at some point. I have driven on 51 since I was old enough to drive and I have never seen a bicyclist on that road ever (and with good reason). It's crazy and dangerous enough for cars as it is, riding it on a bike would be a death wish.

[norcider]

No from the far end of Mt. Lebanon. He crosses 51 at the tunnel and rides up Warrington. Oh, and he does this after he was hit a year ago on 19, breaking his right arm. He's a tough SOB.

[Der Schwabe]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

From Bethel Park though? To get to either Mt. Washington or Allentown you'd have to cross 51 at some point. I have driven on 51 since I was old enough to drive and I have never seen a bicyclist on that road ever (and with good reason). It's crazy and dangerous enough for cars as it is, riding it on a bike would be a death wish.

I've seen it once or twice but it seems only for short distances. Seems riders go down to the liberty tubes and hang a left but I'm assuming they're heading up Boggs from there.