“Really come on let's think safety”

“Uh not safe”

“This plan would cause irreversible damage to the local businesses that make up The Strip. As one of the most unique and beloved areas in the city and an authentic tourist attraction, any damage done to the Strip would have far reaching economic impact to out city.”

“My immigrant grandparents had a small produce business in the strip, and my mother was raised there. It has changed significantly since then, but small pockets retain the character and charm of what it once was and that's what makes it what it is today.

I fear that a change to the traffic pattern will wreck the vibe that makes the neighborhood attractive, and it will end up the mess East Liberty became in the 1960's. It has taken 60 years for East Liberty recover to become a viable destination again.

Don't mess with the Strip.”

“This will destroy the Strip and I will go elsewhere.”

“This is stupid. Decreasing lanes never fixes anything. It will just add more traffic. It’s still the same amount of traffic and will increase 2x-3x the time to get through then.”

“I am a City of Pittsburgh resident and a frequent visitor to the Strip District. With this plan, the City of Pittsburgh is showing that they are willing to sacrifice a major, historic business district and tourist attraction for the appeasement of a couple of small but loud interest groups. That frequent accidents in this area necessitate these drastic changes is an entirely bad-faith argument as changing to this design will not change driver behavior, and it will make emergency response significantly worse. The City is filled with reckless drivers and illegal dirt bikes/ATVs ignoring traffic signals and speed limits. Instead of stopping them, they'd rather focus on hurting small businesses on a couple of blocks of the Strip under the guise of safety. There are so many meaningful ways this City can implement real, tangible public safety policies that do not come at the expense of small businesses and that benefit all City residents.”

“I strongly oppose the proposed plans to install bike lanes that will restrict parking and driving. While promoting alternative transportation is important, this plan creates significant challenges for residents, businesses, and commuters. Reduced parking will harm local businesses, and fewer driving lanes will worsen traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours. These changes disproportionately impact families, seniors, and those with mobility issues who depend on vehicles.”

Additionally, this plan jeopardizes the cultural experience of the area by limiting access to landmarks, events, and establishments that define its identity. Accessibility is vital for fostering community engagement and preserving its character.

“I am a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, my father would take me as a small child to the "yards" in the strip that was more than 50 years ago. It was fun, crowded and a great Pittsburgh tradition. Parking has always been a problem and taking away traffic lanes will make the Strip a terrible place to visit. Please do not destroy this great Pittsburgh site and tradition.”

“The Pittsburgh Business Strip District is iconic to Pittsburgh. Visitors head to the strip district for its unique treasures, food, markets and restaurants. Out of towners and locals flock to the strip to buy Steelers, Pitt, Pirates and Penguins gear! The Strip offers a one of kind culture feeling. You MUST have two driving lanes on Penn Avenue. You must allow ER vehicles quick access to Penn Avenue. Please reconsider reducing Penn Avenue to a single Lane.”

Does the current mayor know what an awesome visitor draw The Strip District is? I don't think any consideration was given to the loss of revenue this will cause the city.

“These plans offer no benefit to our city & are only going to continue negatively impacting its infrastructure, economy, & safety. Zero data proves the need or benefit for more things like bike lanes or a single lane. The accessibility of the Strip District for all is crucial to each business's success & our community. The Strip is a historic & regional treasure that will be destroyed by the ongoing, reckless, & myopic decision-making of leadership if these narrowminded plans go through.”

“The strip district is congested enough as it is, but it’s still manageable to get around. I can’t imagine what it would be like if Penn Avenue was reduced down to one lane. What a nightmare. I certainly will not be visiting nearly as much or maybe not at all if this change goes through. What a stupid idea. I’m guessing this is to accommodate all of the bike riders we see in Pittsburgh? I’ve lived here for ten years now and hardly ever see anyone using the bike lanes in and around downtown. A better use of the money and effort would be to expand the public transportation system.”

“I work in the strip and visit shops and restaurants on the weekends. The traffic downtown is already terrible and parking is already a major problem that deters me from visit those businesses. Please do not make the problems worse by adding bike lanes and bottlenecks in the strip. Far more people drive cars than ride bikes. Stop trying to prioritize them, and stop trying to childproof the city. Everything a politician does is "for our safety." Grown adults can take care of themselves without mommy and daddy holding their hand to cross the street.”

“Find alternative designs that won’t disrupt people coming into the strip. The strip is already the right size!”

One lane is insane, especially for first responders to get to their call. Accidents will still happen because of people not paying attention that’s inevitable. It would be great to have a way to go around any problems that are presented on that road. If you narrow the road that can’t happen. Traffic is already impossible when a large truck is unloading, and there are two lanes, I cannot imagine with one lane what would be an issue.”

“Don't gild the Lily”

“Although we do not have property in the strip, we fully operate and clean properties on Smallman and have been doing so for two years. I agree and support this petition!”

“The traffic in and around the Strip is already bad. Changing to one lane is going to make it worse.”

“I love visiting the Strip multiple times a year and when I am there, I spend money on dining, groceries, parking, and other goods.

I will likely not bother to visit the Strip regularly if this change in traffic patterns occurs. I imagine there are MANY people in the nearby suburbs who will move their leisurely spending habits elsewhere.

Considering Pittsburgh’s topography and weather, changing existing traffic norms in order to accommodate bikes is silly. Use that money to improve and expand public transportation.”

“The City is sharing % of injury crashes and other data, and a question we should all ask is, what is the baseline for comparison? X% more over what number and what is the comparison traffic volume? Also, what is the actual volume of bikes in the area? Is there a plan to extend availability of parking in the area on either end to ease some traffic volume that comes through the bottle neck area?”

“Will stop going to strip because if of traffic.”

“The new traffic planning is unnecessary. It's going to make the Strip District experience a very frustrating one for visitors. The businesses already have enough on their plate with effects of the economy. The plan of reducing lanes down to one to lower the accident rate. The accident rate will lower because there will be less visitors. Leave the historical feel alone. They are going to destroy the total Strip experience.”

“Preserve the Strip as is!”

“Have lived in the 'Burgh my whole life. I worked in the strip for years. This is probably one of the worst ideas the city has had, since Bob Nutting bought the Buccos.
PRESERVE THE STRIP”

“There’s a bike path near the river. It’s perfect for bikers. Also has anyone planning this foolish change to penn ave seen how busy the strip can be?!?! Smallman street backs up like it’s the Sq.Hill tunnel. Penn ave needs all the room it can get. So many drivers and deliveries. The cars and tourists and deliveries out weigh the need for a bike to get by and further screw up traffic. If this city has any sense left, this plan will not go forward.”

“It's a stupid idea, this is a horrible city for bike lanes. It's cold 6 month out of the year so the lane goes to waste”

“I feel that any changes made to Penn Ave in The Strip will have the same effect as making Penn Circle in East Liberty – it DESTROYED East Liberty. The Strip is a very fragile area in Pittsburgh, a unique area that still coveys a bygone era with old world charm and needs to be protected at all costs. The Smallman St. side is nothing like it was even 10 years ago-its "Strip" character is gone. I pray that this does not happen, ever, on Penn Ave. Modern is not always better. Bike lanes to me are not important enough to destroy a historical neighborhood, the businesses and very fabric of those who have given their lives working in the Strip.
Shoppers in the Strip truly revere it as it is and has been.
Please, leave the Strip alone.”

“This crazy plan will destroy our very cherished Strip district. You people are destroying the city and livelihoods. There are plenty of other streets for bike riders who apparently cannot ride their bikes properly. You have set up this mess. Daily, I watch bike riders weave in and out of traffic, go through red lights and perform many dangerous maneuvers. Why don’t you support your tax paying Citizens. Shame on you.”

“It is absolutely foolish to design a street without consideration to emergency vehicles or the needs of the businesses on the strip purely to make it "safer". Has the same amount of time and funding examined the source of these accidents and injuries?”