BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

Thanks for posting this - I would've been rolling through there right about then...

That's kind of ridiculous to close such a major connection for so long. Your screwed if you need to get across the river.

Perhaps they overestimate the threat of bike ninjas?

I am so glad I read the post. I would definitely be coming past there at that time. As far as it tying up a major area for a long time. Try driving to the airport when a president comes the parkway north is closed for hours its a driving nightmare. So glad I commute by bike.

I mean parkway west

@Rsprake

What the USSS gets to do in the name of the president is pretty mind boggling and really quite un-American. I'm surprised a lot of it is legal.

On the flip side, it's not like they need the bridge just for transit. It has to be cleared and held which takes time, hence the window of time.

The Dirty Dozen was started before the bridge was even there and the route from Barry-Elanor to Flowers-Tesla reflects that and also is proof that you're not screwed, just inconvenienced. (Not to mention the 10th St bridge)

It seems to me it would be much more cost effective to bring in the president and at least part of his entourage via helicopter to avoid this nonsense. it is always a shit show when he or the vice come downtown.

Too much to bring in by chopper to an unsecured location.

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/03/the-presidential-motorcade/70681/

the cost per flight hour of a helicopter is probably a lot higher than you'd think too.

I bet it pales in comparison to the cost of flying a 747 though...

Should've gone by bike by exiting GPIA from the 911th side, heading down into coraopolis and traveling along the Ohio River Trail.

Obama needs the bike vote to win reelection. ^^

Around 10:30 this morning I was riding towards town knowing the hot metal bridge was going to be closed, but I was not going to cross it. At the juncture of going up to the bridge, an officer with cianin companion was turning everyone back form proceeding on wither path. I asked why 2nd avenue was open but not the trail going straight, to which the reply secret service request.

I quickly turned around, went back to trailhead, rode down 2nd ave and stopped to ask 2 officers standing around why the bike path was closed. They said secret service. I rephrased and asked why the bikes could not proceed on the path, but the road was open. They said the road was going to be closed also shortly.

If you are heading that way now, you may have problems getting through.

Re: helicopter v. motorcade/747 - we might be overlooking the remainder of the PUSA's schedule. Could be he heads to other places from here, not just back to DC?

Plus, I bet they've got insane protocols for helicoptering in - I'd imagine the proximity of Mt. Washington for instance, and the ease with which someone with malicious intent could get some shots off from there (or some such scenario), might also play into the decision.

geebeezit what a ridiculous ride home.

I've always wondered why they don't make arrangements with Port Authority to use the West Busway.

One thing about Pittsburgh I've learned is if it's by car or bicycle we get really whiny when our commute is altered in any way. I came past there and it probably added 10-15 minutes not really a big deal, if that was the worst part of my day then it was a good day.