Busways to Bikeways

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

Busways to bikeways builds on the infrastructure of busways connecting core population centers to both local and national bike trails for the benefit of commuters and tourists

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Ian Kane, Lindsay Clark, Heather Kropf

What is the idea?

Busways to bikeways builds on the infrastructure of busways connecting core population centers to both local and national bike trails for the benefit of commuters and tourists

How would idea work?

• A bike lane or busway
• Marketing to publicize integrated use
• Bring people into city while minimizes impact (environmental, parking for special events downtown)
• Need safety barriers, connecting trails, maps and signage

Pluses:

• Serves broad Pgh area - neighborhoods, suburbs, downtown, eventually region
• Leverage through marketing to increase cultural tourism and economy
• Bike safety
• Bolster communities
• Integration of neighborhoods
• Builds on current infrastructure (busways and existing bike trails)

Concerns:

• Expense of modifications
• Protecting safety of commuters (bikers and buses)
• Traffic flow, overpopulation, urban planning

Community opportunities:

• Swissvale, Rankin, Wilkinsburg, Edgewood, Homewood, East Liberty, Bloomfield, etc
• Free Ride, Bike Pittsburgh, Pgh Cultural festivals and events, alternative transportation communities, cultural tourism people

Easy Rider

This Idea has been incorporated into the Bus Stop Info Hub. 

Idea Overview

Promoting accessible, dependable, friendly transportation ecosystem that people like to use

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Robb Myer, Heather Bossert, JP Roeich

What is the idea?

Promoting accessible, dependable, friendly transportation ecosystem that people like to use

How would idea work?

• E- passes
• Electronic pass cards
• Fare based on distance like the subway
• Frequent rider miles
• PAT gift cards
• Encourage more casual ridership
• i-Pod of bus system
• post schedules and stops
• call a central number for next buses ETA
• neighborhood loop buses like East End
• maps at bus stations
• Bike connections
• More and safer bike lanes
• Integrate bikes with busses via bike lockers and bike racks

Pluses:

• More bus riders equals less car traffic and less pollution
• More convenient access to different parts of city will increase city's vitality and access to jobs

Concerns:

• Working with PAT

Community opportunities:

Everyone who wants to leave their house and go somewhere

Get Off the Gas

This Idea has been incorporated into the Alternative Transportation Day. 

Idea Overview

Develop "Get off the gas day" to bring awareness to alternative fuels and methods of transportation consisting of a Road Rally to try out alternative methods and vehicles for individual and mass transit

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Ann Rosenthal, Jan Held, Jessica Misken, Peter Eberhart

What is the idea?

Develop "Get off the gas day" to bring awareness to alternative fuels and methods of transportation consisting of a Road Rally to try out alternative methods and vehicles for individual and mass transit

How would idea work?

• Starting point: convention center showcasing alternative transportation, fuels, transportation routes, etc
• Race with scavenger hunt or relay where contestants have to switch transportation modes
• End point is LTV site highlighting advances in transportation technology

Pluses:

• Introduce cutting edge technology - the latest and coolest tech stuff
• Buy-in to alternative methods of transportation that might not have been previously considered
• Get to know how to get around the city better

Concerns:

• Cooperation among public/private transportation agencies and corporations

Community opportunities:

• Various neighborhood race goes through various community groups - Venture Outdoors, Bike Pgh
• Involvement may draw in commuters
  

Zoom About Pittsburgh (ZAP)

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

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Blue River Belt

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

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Pittsburgh Yellow Bike Program

This Idea has been promoted to the Top 20. 

Idea Overview

A cooperative, membership-based network of free bicycles for use through community affiliated sites, designated bike racks, and various keyholder locations

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Mike Virostek

What is the idea?

A cooperative, membership-based network of free bicycles for use through community affiliated sites, designated bike racks, and various keyholder locations

How would idea work?

All of the bikes would be designated by their uniform color/design pattern. They would be available throughout citywide locations simply by showing one's card (obtained by a small initial fee and bike deposit), then receiving the lock key to obtain available bike. These bikes are to be used for a determined amount of time, and then returned to an appropriate rack or location. Fees charged for late drop off. Membership charges pay for upkeep, costs...

Pluses:

• Fostering independence through alternative transportation
• Increased awareness/usage of bike trails and city network
• Increases bicycle usage, tolerance, health, wellness

Concerns:

• Theft - somewhat mitigated by "membership" orientation/restricted use, access to lock key
• Vandalism - mitigated by unique, colorful aspect to bike that renders it somewhat safe
• Injury - mitigated by waiver at time of member signing

Community opportunities:

• Bike Pgh
• Free Ride
• Critical mass
• Commuters who are tired of traffic, gridlock, costs of automobiles
• Short-trip pedestrians
• Environmentalists that drive

Psycle Pittsburgh

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

Change the cultural understanding of bicycles and pedestrians - to make transit less reliant on the automobile and change the psyche of Pittsburghers in relation to bikes and people

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Scott Izzo, Arthur Sheffield, Jeff A. Burke, Frank Lehner

What is the idea?

• To change the cultural understanding of bicycles and pedestrians - to make transit less reliant on the automobile
• Promote "green" transit, rely on local assets
• The idea is to change the psyche of Pittsburghers in relation to bikes and people

How would idea work?

The idea would incorporate a variety of events such as: designated lane closing - to promote commuter bike use; campaigns to promote bicycle and pedestrian rights of way; find ways to develop incentives for bike and pedestrian traffic; find support partners (health insurance, schools - work with state and local for the credits; also a media campaign to raise awareness. Again goal is to change the culture, the understanding of the role of bicycles and pedestrians as part of the city's identity.

Pluses:

• Reduce traffic, pollution, gas consumption
• Increase safety for bike riders and pedestrians
• Increase health and neighborhood access
• Promote interpersonal neighborhood access
• Increase quality of life

Concerns:

• Lack of support by community/funding community
• Lack of support with city and Port Authority buy-in
• Weather issues
• Don't have data on bike use

Community opportunities:

• To change the perception of Pgh (or at least help to change perception) in relation to bicycle and pedestrian traffic
• Increase the human competency of walking and bike riding
• Increase opportunities for community to emerge

Tour de Burgh

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

World-class cycling event that highlights and celebrates the diverse neighborhoods of Pittsburgh

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Mike Zasko, Scott Vensel, Dave Howe, Matt Loughren, John Orsini

What is the idea?

World-class cycling event that highlights and celebrates the diverse neighborhoods of Pgh

How would idea work?

• National bike tour through Pgh neighborhoods showcasing the diversity
• Links multiple festivals featuring art, music, food and libation
• Main event for professional cyclist but also amateur events
• Economic opportunities for local vendors
• Neighborhood competitions for prizes and awards
• Unifying Pgh event

Pluses:

• Neighborhood exposure and community pride building
• National, non-traditional exposure for Pgh
• Revenue generating

Concerns:

• Race logistics
• Coordinating the neighborhoods
• Marketing to residents and public engagement

Community opportunities:

This project is generally inclusive

Where to, Pittsburgh?

This Idea has been Incorporated into the Alternative Transportation Day.

Idea Overview

Bike tour design competition and bike tours led by the designers

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Amy Lovell, Margaret Krumm, Katie Linkhauer

What is the idea?

Bike tour design competition and bike tours led by the designers

How would idea work?

• Bikers submit designs e.g. flattest route, fastest route, safest route, most scenic route
• Designs are chosen
• Designers lead tours, including stops
• Extras: bike safety/helmet fitting education
• Stops include food (donations by Whole Foods, etc)

Pluses:

• Raise confidence of new wanna-be bikers
• Highlight Pgh landmarks/favorite spots - civic pride
• Awareness of biking community
• Teaches people ways to get around the city

Concerns:

• How to mark tour map temporarily

Community opportunities:

Bikers of all levels, exercise enthusiasts, people new to the city

Bussin' the Burgh

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20. If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.

Idea Overview

Have buses use neighborhood hubs so buses don't have to go downtown for short trips. Have Jerome Bettis be our spokesman.

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Cheryl Michalec, Mike Assad, Jane Hadburgh, Julie Hepner

What is the idea?

Have buses use neighborhood hubs so buses don't have to go downtown for short trips. Have Jerome Bettis be our spokesman.

How would idea work?

• "Way to Go Pittsburgh" pamphlets were helpful, maps downtown still says "Three River Stadium"
• New buses could use biofuels, with bikeracks!
• Color coded, 4 main lines, run more often
• Transportation simplified
• Maps at stops, access to maps
• Hotline phones at stops could tell people the route they need to take. Multi-lingual
• Artists make panoramic scenes, mural type representations of the neighborhoods at the two ends of the bus runs. One example: Cathedral of Learning and Carnegie Museums on the side and maybe the zoo
• Bus radio including where you are, in the middle of bus stop announcements promotes what you are traveling toward, describes arts and activities available on this route (Art loop bus)

Pluses:

• People travel more efficiently
• Less traffic with more riders
• Arts are supported and marketed
• Less drunk drivers
• Boost economy and encourage recreation - a tourist destination

Concerns:

• Expense
• High costs to consumers

Community opportunities:

• Artists, downtown businesses
• Bus day for free from banks (PNC) and other businesses

Get Out Of Oakland

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[paste text here]

 

Pittsburgh Metro

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20. If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.

Idea Overview

Historical bus route - bus tours of specific communities

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Marley Kay, Tom, Meredith, Brian, Paul, Katrina, Johanna, Olivia, Beth, Jina, Greg

What is the idea?

Historical bus route - bus tours of specific communities

How would idea work?

• Each local community would have its own special celebration revolving around 250^th Pgh throughout the year
• Promoted by PR, marketing, APs,
• Encouraging people to explore outside of their community
• People would get the opportunity to tour on busses to different areas, meet the locals, and get to know each other

Pluses:

• By creating events in each community people can bridge and get to know the greater Pgh
• Helps lend to long term city development

Concerns:

• Limited audience
• Port Authority cooperation
• Tons of research and organization

Community opportunities:

• Research history everywhere
• Growth

Pimp Your Ride

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[paste text here]

 

Pittsburgh Pretzel

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

A light rail system that highlights and connects the suburban and intra-city neighborhoods that mobilizes young people to engage with the city

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Ted Goleman, Nina Barbuto, Brenda Smith, Joanna Deming

What is the idea?

A light rail system that highlights and connects the suburban and intra-city neighborhoods that mobilizes young people to engage with the city

How would idea work?

• Uses existing highways
• Above and below ground
• Commerce station downtown
• Strategic stops
• Environmentally efficient
• Source of jobs and revenue
• Garbage company and other commercial companies use rails
• Safer
• Increases mobility for students
• Handicapped accessible

Pluses:

• Get there easier and quicker
• Accessible
• Jobs
• Revenue for city
• Business attraction (deterred by crappy roads)
• Public exploration of neighborhoods

Concerns:

• Funding
• Topography and engineering
• Won't be comprhensive

Community opportunities:

Everyone

• Community design stops (theme and identify)
• Community access to city
• Community can be accessed
• Save money
• Attract jobs