Pedestrian & Bicycle Committee

[ About ] [ 2007 Activities ]

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About

Encouraging safe, efficient travel for pedestrians and cyclists is an important part of SPC's role as a regional transportation agency. Bicycling and walking offer excellent commuter options that support our overall mission to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. Communities that are pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly are also “livable,” providing residents with opportunities for recreation and community-enhancing economic development.

SPC’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee addresses issues of concern and pursues priority improvements of regional significance. This committee is composed of representatives from SPC-member counties, the City of Pittsburgh, transit agencies, PENNDOT, trail organizations, and advocates for pedestrians, bicyclists, and persons with disabilities.

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Bicycle Suitability Evaluation Project

SPC’s transportation planners have undertaken a project to evaluate the cycling conditions of the regional state highway network.  Based on the evaluation of a combination of traffic volumes, roadway geometry, and field observations, maps will periodically be created that can be used as a reference tool by cyclists and cycling commuters. The maps indicate the roadways as being above average, average or below average for cycling, as well as other features relevant to cyclists such as significant hills, trails, park-n-ride lots, and bicycle parking.  These maps are intended to connect with and build out from the existing Bike-Pittsburgh Bike Map.

Note: The suitability ratings of the roadways apply to cyclists experienced in operating on the roadway network with other motorized vehicles.  Inexperienced cyclists looking for facilities free of motorized vehicles should view the SPC bike trail maps.

The first set of preliminary bicycle suitability maps is available for the inner ring of suburbs in Allegheny County surrounding the City of Pittsburgh.  These maps were presented to the SPC Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee at the August meeting and are available here for review and comment by cycling stakeholders.  Through this process the maps are available to everyone, however, please understand the maps are in their preliminary form and they will be evolving as we strive to improve them based on cyclist input.  Periodically, as the project moves forward, new maps will be posted for review for the remainder of Allegheny County and other densely populated areas within the region.

View the preliminary maps and provide comment. 

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2007 Activities

In 2007, SPC’s Pedestrian-Bicycle Committee continued its work with trail groups to enhance linkages within the region’s network of pedestrian and bicycle trails. SPC also continued to work with Bike Pittsburgh, the City of Pittsburgh and others to promote bicycle commuting in the region. To help gather information on the pedestrian and cycling needs of the region, SPC utilizes a series of web-based survey forms (see navigation menu in upper right) for cyclists and pedestrians to provide information to the Pedestrian-Bicycle Committee on road or trail hazards or missing links, as well as other topics and suggestions.In 2007, over 700 people provided on-line input.

For more information about the Ped/Bike Committee, contact Sara Walfoort at (412) 391-5590 x339 or e-mail swalfoort@spcregion.org.

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