“Safety should be a priority. While I recognize as a visitor this may not be to my liking, I also recognize that every emergency responder should have smooth access to popular areas. Please don’t take away our safety.”

“We were in the strip district yesterday with out of town guests and even with 2 lanes of traffic it was congested. Taking Penn Ave down to 1 lane would make it virtually impossible to get around and so much more dangerous! Move the bike lanes to Smallman or Railroad streets if it’s so important. You’re setting people up for injury and possible death trying to maneuver down Penn Ave. Or your sentencing a lot of businesses to death by adding this lane down Penn Ave.”

“So tired of all the efforts to ruin this awesome Pittsburgh treasure. We like it the way it is.”

“Stop this nonsense.”

“The concerns of local businesses and visitors need to be addressed before any plan is made to implement changes to the Strip district.”

“I love the Strip. When I reconnect with ex-Pittsburghers the first thing they want to do is visit the Strip (Penn Avenue, not so much the new terminal on Smallman). They all agree that there's nothing like the Strip District in any other city. Please preserve this valuable Pittsburgh landmark.”

“Penn Avenue is a prime business location – and with the bike lane/one-way access, it's already so complicated to navigate in a vehicle.”

“The Strip is a big part of what makes Pittsburgh unique. Devastating the businesses seems very shortsighted. Why can’t you construct a bike lane on Smallman or Railroad Street?”

“This will drastically increase congestion and reduce parking creating an obstacle or at minimum a disincentive to come visit the city. I live outside the city but try to come in and support city businesses, however, it is actions like this that make it more and more difficult to do so.”

“The current mayor just wants to screw up something more for when he loses the vote. Just a reminder of him.”

“Stop this ill conceived plan”

“I have been shopping in the Strip for the last 40years. I was born and raised in the city and currently live in Fox Chapel. The insanity of the city’s proposal is beyond description. The Strip is one of the thriving neighborhoods in the city. The proposal would destroy access and cause irreparable damage to the neighborhood!!! If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!!”

“Stifling Access
Increased Traffic Congestion & Backups
Impede Emergency Vehicles
Hindrance for Residents
Unworkable Loading Zones
Delivery & Pickup Delays and Interruptions
Unsuitable Turning Radii for Emergency Vehicles & Larger Trucks
Cross Traffic Visibility will be Obstructed. Vehicles will have to Intrude into Bike Lane
Economic Loss for the Community
Frustrated Visitors that will not Return
Devastation for Local Business”

“Keep the lanes the same.”

“We were in town for the weekend of the Brown's/Steelers game. We always visit the strip district when we're in town. This time we had pizza for lunch, sat outside. Seen maybe 5 bicycle. Why mess with something that's not broken…..”

“It's not necessary to destroy the flow of our neighborhood in order for the North side development to succeed. Both neighborhoods can thrive. We absolutely do not need a bike lane in this area. It is a thriving business district that is vital to the quality of life for its residents. If you'd like to improve the quality of life here, please focus on putting a grocery store here”

“As a business in the strip that has contributed to the growth of Pittsburgh for close to 75 years we think that the “rightsizing project“ is a “wrongsizing project”.
The project will not add to the safety of the strip and as a matter of fact will impede emergency vehicles.
The project will also be devastating to businesses, shoppers and visitors.
It’s nice that the city is accommodating bikers but not when it creates hardships to the majority that are not bikers.
In addition, bikers can use the bike lane that’s on Smallman Street which is a half block away from Penn Ave.”

“Businesses are the primary tax basis of the City. Do the bicyclists have to buy licenses, permits etc? Businesses do and pay much more to the city.”

“I love my visits to the strip. My vet is there and I enjoy the businesses that make up a vibrant community. I worry that these so called improvements may make it hard for emergency vehicles to get where they need to be in an emergency. A single lane would constrict an already congested area. Parking could be harder to find. The statistics in this letter prove that the Strip works as is. Pittsburgh has a lot of problems that need addressed, the Strip fortunately isn't one of them.”

“Parking is already hard to find in the strip. People barely use the bike lanes even when they’re available. We should share the roads without lanes needed. People also don’t bike in the winter. They can get a bus pass, walk, or save up for a car. I worked hard for my car and pay road taxes. I should be able to use those roads and responsible drivers can share the road with bikers without lanes needed.”

“Stop with the bike lanes. It’s snows and people don’t bike in the winter. If we have bike and bus lanes then you are not thinking about the people who pay to register, inspect, and insure their cars. Stop segregating everything!”

“Areas like the strip, maintaining the traditions of old for historical Pittsburgh, are what set a city apart from the rest. To restrict it would be to keep nailing the coffin of the future of this city, and all the character it has kept for decades that the community loves. Keep the strip traditional and easy to access and affordable, and Pittsburgh will succeed as a city. Thank you and God Bless.”

“Leave it as it is! We cherish the Strip District as it is! So much history and character. You will destroy it with your stupid plan. Penn Ave needs to be left as it is – 2 lanes with parking on either side of the street – just as it is now!”

“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.”