“I strongly oppose the plan to reduce Penn Avenue in the Strip District to a single lane. The groups behind the idea seem to have good intentions, but so did the city leaders who destroyed the East Liberty business district when creating Penn Circle in the 1960s. We, the people of Pittsburgh, cannot let history repeat itself. There are better ways to create safer streets for pedestrians, bikers, and motorists when data is used to inform change instead of misused to scare people. Consider the success of speed humps – they are very effective at reducing speed on highly traveled roadways around the city. Why not extend the existing bike lane on Smallman or make better use of Railroad Street? Or both? Imagine creating a better, broader Strip District rather than strangling the spirit and vitality enjoyed by residents and visitors to this city gem. Don’t wreck this unique area that so many travel reports and city guides recommend as a perfect “Day One” activity in Pittsburgh.”
