Pittsburgh voted as having a hot bicycle scene (Erie, Washington: 2009, neighborhoods)

[nuwaver88]

Sorry, Portland | GOOD


A top city for walking and biking? The culture is really changing here. It is great to see.

[slamont61]

While it is possible to Bike in to town from say Oakland, the South Side and the North Side in a fairly easy commute, it is quite difficult to come in from anywhere in the South Hills because of the need to bike all the way up Mt Washington and or some other route. The tunnels are off limits but would provide easy access on a bicycle. The old Wabash Tunnel would have been apropriate if they hadn't turned it into what ever it is now.

That said, it is so much more Bike Friendly than it was several years back.

[tmorrisn]

I hope things continue to improve - not all of Pittsburgh drivers are aware of cyclists or like having to share the road with cyclists. My husband commutes to work by bike. While he's had a number of both close calls (people not paying attention and cutting him off and getting way too close), I think as more people commute by bike, this will improve. What is more worrisome is the rude behavior - he has people yell at him pretty often (get off the road, get on the sidewalk, etc).

[scottrpriester]

1. The bike scene is reason number one why I had Pittsburgh in mind when I moved here. Mind you, my interest is more in to off road cycling, or "mountain biking" as most know it. A lot of people don't know this, but one of the most popular mountain bike magazines in the world is published on Saxonburg blvd; it's called Dirt Rag. Some of the city and county parks are nationally known as riding destinations.

2. Although I am certain there are those who disregard bikers, I feel safer biking city streets around here than I did in Erie, which has about 200,000 less people. It is amazing how ignorant Erie residents are towards bikers.

[scottrpriester]

Originally Posted by tmorrisn

I hope things continue to improve - not all of Pittsburgh drivers are aware of cyclists or like having to share the road with cyclists. My husband commutes to work by bike. While he's had a number of both close calls (people not paying attention and cutting him off and getting way too close), I think as more people commute by bike, this will improve. What is more worrisome is the rude behavior - he has people yell at him pretty often (get off the road, get on the sidewalk, etc).

I love the "get on the sidewalk", that's how stupid people are.

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

I love the "get on the sidewalk", that's how stupid people are.

I don't care if you think I'm stupid but I think bikers should use the sidewalks in many areas. It's not like people use them much in much outside of about 8 neighborhoods anyways.

[Kate88]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

I don't care if you think I'm stupid but I think bikers should use the sidewalks in many areas. It's not like people use them much in much outside of about 8 neighborhoods anyways.

Good point. I don't bike - I've been thinking about starting, but the neighborhoods I frequent aren't exactly bike friendly (no bike lanes, lots of traffic). I tend to use walking as my main form of transportation. I get annoyed when there are cyclists on the sidewalks. They come flying up behind me and rip around me without any kind of warning.I can't blame them for riding on the sidewalk - in most neighborhoods, it's probably safer for them, but there needs to be better communication.

[scottrpriester]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

I don't care if you think I'm stupid but I think bikers should use the sidewalks in many areas.

Bicycles are traffic too, period.

Some sidewalks I've seen are more dangerous than riding on the road because of being broken up or uneven.

It's not like people use them much in much outside of about 8 neighborhoods anyways.

LOL I'm not sure what that means.

[fleetiebelle]

Isn't it illegal for cyclists to be on the sidewalk in certain areas? (Business districts, etc.)

[hnsq]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

I don't care if you think I'm stupid but I think bikers should use the sidewalks in many areas. It's not like people use them much in much outside of about 8 neighborhoods anyways.

I find it hard to believe anyone who has ever ridden a bike in a city would say this. When you are on a sidewalk going 15-25mph, that is just plan dangerous (and foolish to suggest).

I bike 13 miles to work (my busiest part of the route being the highland park bridge) and I have never felt unsafe. I might slow down/annoy some drivers, but if I wasn't on my bike I would be one more car to deal with, so really they should thank me, right?

I have noticed a change in attitudes towards cyclists. Yesterday I rode from Shadyside to downtown to the south side and back all on roads and no one yelled/honked/almost hit me. Even a year ago that would not have been the case!