University Times

Efforts by the University to encourage alternative modes of transportation that lessen traffic, parking and air pollution problems in Oakland have resulted in a great upswing in recent years in the number of people who travel around campus on bicycles.

Pitt's Department of Parking and Transportation Director Bob Harkins estimates that bicycle traffic has tripled since 1993 to the point where about 1,000 people are now using bicycles for transportation on campus in all seasons.

While the increase in bike traffic may be healthy for both people and the environment, it also has created problems when it comes to sidewalks. Near misses and collisions involving pedestrians and bicyclists have become almost commonplace.

Harkins told Senate Council's plant utilization and planning committee (PUP) Nov. 6 that Pennsylvania law prohibits the riding of bicycles on sidewalks in business districts. However, Harkins added, state law does permit the riding of bicycles on sidewalks in residential districts as long as riders provide an audible signal, such as a bell, a horn or even a shouted message, when they are passing someone.

Although bicyclists may be within their legal rights to ride on sidewalks in residential districts, Harkins told PUP a number of Oakland residents have expressed concern about the situation and close-calls they have had with bicyclists.

According to Harkins, some Oakland residents would like to see Pitt students banned from riding on sidewalks. Any law that would stop Pitt students from riding on sidewalks, though, also would stop young children from riding their bikes on sidewalks.

"The law couldn't discriminate. The same law would have to apply to little 8-year-old Johnny," Harkins said. "It would force him out into the street and nobody wants to do that. We just have to get our students to practice a little more courtesy." In hopes of improving the atmosphere for bicycles in Oakland, Harkins has spoken with city officials about possibly establishing bike lanes, similar to current bus lanes, on streets around campus. But "right now that doesn't look to be something that really is doable without structural changes in traffic patterns on Forbes Avenue and Fifth Avenue," he said.

On the positive side, Harkins noted that the city has set aside $25,000 to improve an old bicycle route between Squirrel Hill and Oakland.

The route, which is marked by signs alerting drivers of vehicles that they are sharing the road with bicyclists, runs from Braddock Avenue at Regent Square, up Forbes Avenue, to Shady Avenue and Northum-berland Street, then through Schenley Park into Oakland.

"It is not a lot of dollars, but it has been set aside to try to repair some of the curbs and gutters and shoulders to make it better for bicycles," Harkins said.

During the PUP discussion, it also was noted that some students have been taking their bicycles into University buildings. Harkins said that bicycles are not permitted inside any Pitt building.

–Mike Sajna