“I enjoy shopping and going to music venues in the strip. I am also an avid cyclist. Creating a bike lane through the strip is not necessary. Choking traffic of so many for a few cyclists is unfair”

“Either finish the existing trail between 21st and 40th or use the less busy streets between Penn and the river.”

“As someone who bikes and drives throughout Pittsburgh, including in the Strip District , I do not feel that a bike lane there is warranted and that there are other solutions available. I also think that turning Penn Avenue into a single traffic lane will destroy much of the urban fabric that has evolved there and that constitutes it’s charm.”

“My business is located at 960 Penn Avenue and I travel Penn avenue through the Strip regularly. I am strongly opposed to the proposal to make this major roadway into a single lane for cars. I am a strong supporter of bike lanes but eliminating one of the two lanes for cars will end the Strip as we know it, and wipe out business and businesses on Penn. Please do not destroy this neighborhood and the livelihoods of so many.”

“Please don’t do this. Listen to your constituents”

“Please listen to the voices of your constituents and stop this project before it does irreparable harm to our local businesses. The safety concerns from our firefighters alone should be enough of a reason to stop this project.”

“As a resident of Forte Condos on Penn Ave., I have serious concerns with this plan. Restricting Penn would increase congestion & make it difficult for large delivery trucks to park/unload. This plan would also negatively affect small businesses that rely on deliveries. Even more troubling, it could impede emergency vehicles; I recently witnessed a fire next door, & the fire department’s swift access was critical considering the proximity to a residential building. Having to cross 2 bike lanes to reach the street across poses a real danger to pedestrians, especially since I often see cyclists disregarding traffic rules. As a resident of the Strip since 2019, I am well aware of the history of traffic accidents on Penn; however, I believe there are better alternatives that would improve safety without creating new risks. This plan obstructs cross-traffic visibility, forcing vehicles to intrude into the bike lanes, ultimately leading to more accidents rather than fewer.”

“Please listen to the feedback from residents and businesses before going down this path.”

“I work in a hospital and live next to Penn avenue. I use Penn avenue or Liberty ave to get to work and be at work on time.”

“We have been going to the Strip District all of our lives, and also encourage out of town guests to go. These proposed changes are going to make it so challenging to visit and park in the area. I am an avid biker, but would hate to see the vibrant nature of this community choked off with misguided restrictions on traffic in an already crowded and congested area.”

“The restrictive traffic pattern will put many businesses in jeopardy of going out of business. The Strip District has many restaurants , Wineries, stores and galleries that have worked hard to provide Pittsburgh citizens the opportunity to enjoy the area. The restrictive traffic patterns will cause the loss of many of these businesses. This will be a devastating loss to the Pittsburgh area.”

Terrible, arrogant idea to impact family businesses and livelihoods over 81 fender benders (over 5 years). Stop this incredibly short sighed action against the very tax payers who pay their salaries.

“Why was this ever considered a good idea???”

“Many businesses, residents, neighbors (like myself) and visitors are NOT interested in reducing access to this neighborhood and popular throughway in the city.

the ill informed desires of a handful of temporary appointees (DOMI), in a lame duck session, should not be allowed to permanently destroy an entire vibrant historic neighborhood's ecosystem under false pretenses and outdated data in order to pad their resumes and say they “won” against all by installing a bike lane.
Other options should and must be considered instead of rushing through irresponsible and illogical changes that will cause immense damage to the locally owned and operated businesses that inform the culture of the Strip District.”

“Please keep Penn Ave as it is. The Strip is a treasure and I believe the changes will impede many businesses in doing business and many visitors may not want to deal with the consequences of the congestion this will cause.”

“Keep two lanes for vehicles (automobiles) on Penn Ave!! We don’t want to lose what we have now!”

“I am a city resident and I visit the Strip District a few times a month and can't imagine what reducing lanes on Penn Ave would do to traffic flow on that busy thoroughfare. Please reconsider.”

“Please don't make these changes to our beloved Strip!”

“The Strip District is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Pittsburgh and usually our first choice when taking friends out to show them the city. There are SO many things to do and see. It has some of my favorite shops, restaurants, and venues in the city. One of the reasons we go there is because it's easy to get to, find parking, and get home. Taking Penn Avenue down to one lane would take that away. Both from the visitors AND from the businesses that call The Strip their home. There's no other place in Pittsburgh like the Strip District. Please, please, please don't take it away from us.”

“Im a biker and still think this is stupid. Roads were made for cars. Bikers need to be aware of cars not act like one.”

“Traffic needs to flow. There are already significant concessions to other-than-motorized vehicles downtown which, as laudable and well-intended as they are, impede vehicular traffic flow, and don't seem to be used much by those other vehicles. Please don't make the same mistake on Penn Ave in The Strip.”

“The desires of a handful of temporary appointees, (DOMI) in a lame duck session, should not be permitted to destroy an entire vibrant historic neighborhoods ecosystem under false pretenses and data, in order to pad their resumes and say they “won” against EVERYONE by installing an unneeded bike lane. We all know that speed humps would do far more for safety, and zero damage to the community. The lies and deceptive tactics are in plain view, and the arrogance is reprehensible. We the people are blue in the face, yet unheard with no vote. If this travesty is allowed to move forward, yet another national gem will wither, die, fall into the hands of the soulless national chains, and ultimately deteriorate beyond recognition. There are numerous examples of this across the country. I live, work, cycle, drive, walk my dog, and take deliveries daily in the epicenter of this corridor. I see it all, so I am an authority. STOP IT NOW!”

“Resident of downtown and employer in the Strip District. This will IMMENSELY impact the already frustrating traffic between downtown and the Strip.”

“Absolutely the wrong action to take to help our small businesses in the Strip!!!”

“How can a mayor be for the people when such a massive amount reject this idea? This is absurd.”

“Existing bike lanes are often empty. Stop the madness!! The roads must be able to accommodate the traffic from cars and buses. Especially when many high rise apartments are still being built!”

“Preserve the strip I’ve been going to the strip most of my life. I worked at Metropole for years. I worked at Altar bar.. bicycle lanes have ruined everything people on bicycles do not obey rules!!!! Penn Avenue is already one way smalllman needs to be a two-way street!. It’s already too much. People need to watch where they’re walking. They need to obey rules when they’re walking we’re adult learn how to cross the street. It’s already hard to park in the strip. We don’t need to make things harder. My daughter lives 25 blocks up she may move because of everything they’re doing to Lawrenceville and the strip district. Modern is not always the best. Let’s leave some nostalgia in our city.”

“I play music in local venues in the strip and visit the strip often outside of working there. Traffic is already difficult to navigate.”

“I understand Pittsburgh wants fresh new stuff. But let us focus on all the old lead pipes in city etc and roads first”

“I have been a lifelong customer of the strip district as it has evolved. First because it was a bargain, and now because it’s an eclectic, vibrant social scene for both prepared food and diverse ethnic groceries. Nowhere else in the US comes close. I see little to gain, and so much to lose by moving forward with this destructive project”

“Pedestrian safety matters, but there are ways to do it that don’t involve decimating access to local businesses & ignoring business owners.”

“All for bike lanes but this plan doesn't make sense, and will ultimately do far more harm than good. Put bikes lanes on Smallman or Railroad, and add speed bumps to Penn. That solves the problems without destroying businesses.”

“Please stop over developing the strip. This is a useless, wasteful project- as there are numerous bike lanes on many parallel streets to penn. Another waste of funds that could be used to fix infrastructure. No one in this city planning dept has ever played the Sims and it shows. Zero concern for what's best for the residents, visitors and those to work in the strip.”

“Residents from outside the city bus routes have no choice but to drive for shopping, dining etc in the Strip District. Please do NOT go ahead with this awful plan to make that impossible for us.”

“I worked at Cioppino from 2008-2020. I LOVED working in the strip and LOVED the history, you could feel the history when visiting. The best part of working in the strip was access to small businesses for products. It was always nice to take a walk to Penn Ave and shop for my menu. I don't enjoy it as much as I used to and it will only be worse.”

“The Strip is a vital part of Pittsburgh. It should be an area the city celebrates the small business owners who attract tourism and bring money into the city. The city should want people to spend more time there. Looking at ways to do that should be more of a priority. A bike lane is a nice idea for the strip, the location is just wrong. Why not improve a street like railroad that is plenty wide and would extend the strip where business could develop there as well. Also it makes more sense with trail access there as well.”

“Restricted lane access will keep locals, living to far to walk/bike to visit the Strip and spend money. This is an economic disaster. Listen to the local businesses.

Make the mayor and DOMI explain why they insist on this measure.”

“Pittsburgh is being ruined with all these adjustments to vehicular traffic. I'm a resident on Stanton avenue in highland Park and our road was destroyed and parking was taken away. Trying to stop the city from destroying more of Pittsburgh.”

“I am a Pittsburgh native born and raised with Pittsburgh steel town in my blood. As someone who now unfortunately lives out of state, I always look forward to coming back to visit especially the Strip district which is one of my favorite spots. The old charm, small shops, and friendly family businesses are what make it so special. To see there’s a possibility of driving up costs and driving out these smaller businesses not only breaks my heart but makes me feel like the city is de-valuing something that makes Pittsburgh so unique to be replaced by generic probably overpriced housing plans. I stand with the citizens of Pittsburgh when I say preserve the Strip! Preserve the culture and community that we are proud of. our Pittsburgh Pride.”

“If the residents don’t want it, what else do you need to hear?”

“No one wants this.”

“This is dumb as hell and is only going to inconvenience like everyone. Have you even thought about how this will affect this city, local business, or residents long term…. Probably not. So as Randy Jackson says “it’s a no from me dawg.””

“Don't continue to strip the strip of it's history, authenticity, and uniqueness!”

“This plan is ridiculous there is bike acces along the river”

“We cannot continue to drive out small business. We need them and they need us. We love the intimacy of the different boutiques and places to eat.”

“The strip is fantastic just like it is. Leave it alone.”

“The Strip is one of the main reasons I moved to Pittsburgh over a decade ago. Please do not destroy this thriving business district.”

“How dare you be an elected official and IGNORE your constituents?!?! This is a horrible plan. Scrap it and figure out another plan that doesn’t KILL BUSINESSES!!! Stop this immediately.”

“Listen to the people!”

“Terrible idea!”