[ About ] [ Meeting Minutes & Agendas ] [ Bicycle Suitability Evaluation Project ]
[ 2009 Activities ]
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.
Meeting Minutes & Agendas
Did You Know?
People around the world recognize southwestern Pennsylvania
as a model of trail development. In a few years, with the
completion of the Great Allegheny Passage and related trail
development, Pittsburgh will be the northern terminus of
a continuous, off-road trail extending from Pittsburgh to
Washington, D.C.
|
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 preliminary bicycle suitability maps are available for Allegheny County and Greene County. These maps were recently presented to the SPC Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee 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 other counties within the region.
View the preliminary maps and provide comment.
[ top ]
2009 Activities
In 2009, SPC continued to work with member governments and regional partners such as Bike Pittsburgh, PennDOT, SPC's CommuteInfo program, and a number of regional trail groups in the promotion of safe bicycle commuting, pedestrian safety, and infrastructure design for pedestrians and bicycles. SPC participated in regional bicycle promotion activities including CommuteInfo's Commute Options Awareness Month, Bike to Work Week and Car Free Fridays.
SPC also sought out new partners in 2009, working with the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail Alliance and the Ohio River Trails Council on inter-regional trail development efforts.
Activities initiated in 2009 include the preparation of Bicycle Suitability Maps for Indiana and Butler County. These maps identify low-volume, low-speed roads that are more conducive to safer bicycle riding, and also inform riders about roads that are less suitable for safer bicycling.
To promote bicycle and pedestrian safety in the region, SPC has been a leader in the consideration of design requirements for the rehabilitation of the Freeport Bridge in PennDOT Districts 10 and 12, and the Memorial Bridge in Connellsville (PennDOT District 12). SPC and representatives of these projects were invited speakers at the 5th Pennsylvania Greenways and Trails Summit in Altoona, PA. In a session entitled "A Bridge for Everyone!" cyclists, local political officials, trail advocates and SPC and PennDOT personnel discussed the unique partnering that enabled the design and implementation of bicycle and pedestrian accommodations on these two important structures.
SPC has completed several Pedestrian-Bicycle Checklists for highway improvements in PennDOT District 11, and was an active participant in PennDOT's annual safety summit. SPC continues to monitor roadway and trail conditions via the Report A Highway Safety Issue, Report Trail Missing Link, and Report Trail Safety Issue links. These forms enable pedestrians and cyclists to report items that might create a safety hazard, such as obstructive roadside debris, inaccessible or malfunctioning pedestrian signals, and missing or misaligned sewer grates. SPC provides this information our regional partners to assist them in the remediation of these issues.
For more information about the Ped/Bike
Committee, contact Sara Walfoort at (412) 391-5590
x339 or e-mail swalfoort@spcregion.org.
[ top ]
|
|
|
