“This is a terrible idea. There are better options available that would not have such negative impacts on businesses and residents. Traffic flow changes should be in coordination with improvements to public transit, parking, and enhancing walkability and river access.”

“The strip district, as is, has been a staple in our family for over 30 years. To further restrict traffic flow, parking options, and the ability for businesses to thrive over a bike lane on Penn Ave is ridiculous. The bike lane on Penn downtown causes so many headaches and surely affects businesses there because of limited parking. I was late to an appointment today even though I allowed an extra 30 minutes. I had the thought that I should stop coming here and dealing with the stress of it. Quit complicating our city. I am all for progress, but this plan is not that.”

“Remember how the city destroyed East Liberty? And the Hill? With "modernization" plan? Please, Pittsburgh, don't do this to the Strip.”

“If the city had a good track record of good city planning, I’d consider it.

However look at the mess on North Avenue.

Look at the intersections with 90 degree turns around Allegheny Commons.

The city has shown ineptitude in planning and design and I expect that to continue in the Strip on Penn.

Please stop their bike lane plans.”

“I don't understand why the bike traffic can't be redirected to Smallman or Railroad and then continue to Lville or Bloomfield from there? I'm generally pro bicycle but I think this plan is going to lead to a lot more accidents.”

“It’s very congested there already, bike lanes will make it much worse.”

“This benefits the few and has negative impact for the many.”

“I have lived in Pittsburgh 23 years. The Strip was always a showcase for the area, a place I visited often for meals, food shopping, the local artists works and a must visit for family and friends visiting the area.

The transformation in process is an abomination to the local culture, local merchants and residents and will ultimately create a generic neighborhood that one can find in any city in the US.”

Preserve what remains before the entire area is described as “we used to have, it used to be…!”

“Smallman is where the bike lane should be. It’s already a mess. Don’t screw up the Strip”

“The Strip has undergone so many changes since I’ve worked here, but always maintained the bustle and character that makes it a unique and special neighborhood in the city. The redistricting plan threatens to change this character, which would be a great loss.”

“This is the most ridiculously terrible idea i have ever heard”

“Former resident
I’m all for bike lanes but bikers can use a different route to protect small business and the character of the Strip. What are people thinking?”

“Why des it have to be either or? Keep the car traffic on weekends a during holiday season to support the merchants and allow bikes during other times.”

“The proposed plan would result in unacceptable congestion in this historic city district. The bike lane should be moved over to Smallman St.”

“Please, please, please don’t ruin the character and accessibility of this unique neighborhood.”

“This makes no sense to add a bike lane to Penn Ave in the Strip. It will hurt business and cause much undue stress on cars and pedestrians alike. The chances of more accidents will go up drastically. Bikers are the worst in causing accidents. They do no follow road rules at all. There is no need for this. Make bike lanes on less traveled roads.”

“Stop taking every convenience away from us.”

“I am down there all the time shopping. Creating just ONE lane is not the answer.”

“I visit the Strip often. This plan would be extremely detrimental and dangerous. The businesses would be absolutely devastated!”

“This will cause so much congestion,and danger
People will stay away.
Please don’t let this happen.”

“I will be significantly less likely to visit the strip district if these new changes are implemented.”

“I am totally opposed to this. Save the strip district don’t ruin it.”

“It's already frustrating to shop, done and visit the Strip District due to limited parking and traffic as well as street congestion. I oppose to bike lanes that will make it even more difficult to navigate through the Strip District. I proudly won't patronize that part of the city anymore. This will destroy all of the businesses down in The Strip District.”

“This bike lane is a terrible idea for the strip. Pick another street.”

“Bike lanes do not get used enough for this to be a need. Use Smallman street – it's already been all dissected for biking and parking. Keep Penn Ave for parking and driving. Already ruined the Cultural district with only one lane and I rarely see bikes on it.”

“I believe that restricting Penn Avenue to a single lane will create unsafe conditions for emergency vehicles and cause economic hardship to the local businesses that keep the Strip alive. Please preserve this thriving historic, economic, multicultural treasure.”

“Anyone who has driven in the strip knows that cars will randomly stop and put on their flashers. If you reduce this to 1 lane, I feel it will not only cause more congestion on the roadway, but it will also cause more accidents. Another problem I think would happen would be with emergency personnel and vehicles. You will limit their ability to get to wherever they need quickly. While I understand you are trying to make it safer for people walking, you will be taking away the ease of visiting and shopping the strip.”

“They already have a nice bike lane in Smallman that my wife and I use all the time. There is no need for anymore bike lanes in the strip.

Making it one lane will cause a choke point as people stop illegally in the road pretty much every time we drive thru there.

And last I have babies that I hope to take down there someday. Don't ruin it with some gimmick of safety. Spend the money where it is needed”

“We are totally against plans for the bike lane restricting Penn Avenue into a single.lane road. It would not be good for the residents and merchants. It is unfortunate that the residents were not given the opportunity to voice their objections. We do not know anyone who is in favor or it.”

“It is already difficult to find a parking space in this section of Penn Avenue. In addition, with the number of buses using Penn Avenue, restricting the street to one lane will add to traffic congestion.”

“Will ruin businesses”

“Any changes to the strip will take away its charm. We will not want to shop in the strip if it changes. Family from out of town always want to visit the strip. It’s iconic and making parking changes,etc will make it more difficult to travel through the area. Shame on Pittsburgh for putting money above what really matters. Why don’t you do something about the Pirates and maybe you would get people to go to the Northside too. I don’t hear complaints about the strip. I do the Pirates. People are tired of big money pulling strings and forcing tenants out of their business locations and making changes people don’t want. Grow a spine. Don’t play politics like the people running this country. Do what citizens want for a change.”

“Ridiculous plan. There is no need for a bike lane in this historic area. It will destroy a destination neighborhood.”

“I am all for bike lanes but this idea would make a difficult parking situation so much worse. I would probably not even attempt to frequent to businesses that I currently do.
Why can’t the bike lane be on a back street where it would not create this problem!”

“The strip district is the last unique and original space left in pgh. Leave it be.”

“Penn Ave is unique. It’s Pittsburgh. Please do not change. Thank you!”

“In my opinion, this plan will make Penn ave traffic HORRIBLE and will drive people away. I know I will not make my way to the Strip if this plan is implemented. Plus it just doesn’t seem to make sense. Find ways to ease traffic congestion, not create it.”

“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.”

“Thank you for organizing the efforts to protect the neighborhood!”

“Bike Lanes are the DUMBEST THING EVER!
Nobody bikes in Pittsburgh”

“Stop ruining the city”

“Please do not kill the strip.

“Coming to Strip quite often and parking is a mess. This plan will make it even worse. The City is known to put agenda before the people and the call it democracy, care for human life and well being, you name it.
I suggest Strip District businesses to on TV channels and ask other non-city municipalities may be they would provide land and buildings to have the ENTIRE Strip to relocate. You can call it "Strip. The New Beginning". Have City loose the businesses, loose the tax revenues from you. They don't care about you, but they surely want a portion of your income. May be look into Bridgeville, Ross TWP, etc, where they can provide nice safe locations in their busiest areas with plenty of parking for your customers so this will actually encourage people to come to you without the fear of "where would I park". Punish the City with your tax dollars – that is the only language they can understand.”

“Keep access and good traffic flow to the strip. Stop taking the charm away from this area. It used to be a fun, quirky place to shop. Not it looks like a suburban concrete jungle.”

“The strip has worked Fine for over 100 years why does everybody have to mess with everything? That’s already great the way it is quit doing this. The reason it’s beautiful and popular and quaint and historic is because it is the way it is that’s why people come here from all over the country to visit the strip, believe it or not. I lived out west for 20 years and everybody that I told I was from Pittsburgh mentioned the strip and how they heard they have to stop there.”

“You don’t care about the people and community if you go through with this.”

“If it becomes a hassle to visit the Strip due to increased traffic and limited access, visitors will fiind somewhere else to go.”

“30 Year Resident of the Northside – what craziness is this ! why ???? Everyone has been going to the strip and loving it for years. You jack it up by putting in "modern" apartments and increasing the density and then you want to pretend it's a neighborhood? what a stupid idea. No one wants to come to the City anymore because it is soooo difficult to get around. You can't drive down north ave without stopping at the corner of every single block. Used to have the lights timed so if you went the speed limit traffic moved at a reasonable pace, now its stop and stop, stop and stop. Horrible, thoughtless, terrible planning – what residents even asked mobility to get involved?”

“Removing a vital lane through the strip district will endanger lives. It’s hard enough now to get first responders through.”

“I have lived in Pittsburgh my whole life and love visiting the Strip District's many businesses and restaurants. It is a critical part of Pittsburgh's history. I do not support restricting Penn Ave to one lane. This will prevent many people from visiting local businesses. Personally, I am 29 years old, but have a disability that prevents me from walking far distances. This would make it even harder to find parking and to support local businesses. We also don't need another area in Pittsburgh with restricted traffic flow.”