BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

Probability for foul weather tomorrow at 7 is pretty high... just throwing that out there.

As somebody who lives on Penfield Ct., I'd like to respectfully ask not meeting at that intersection. It is a very congested place, and for many people the only entryway to our homes. Congregating there would be awful for all of us, and we have been dealing with news trucks and police parking clogging up our street all day/evening already. Moreover, that specific part of the intersection is full of elderly and disabled people who would be particularly impacted from a gathering outside our homes.

Meeting in the Factory facility parking lot or in the parking lot across from the Evergreen Cafe would be in the very close proximity along Penn and at least offer an appropriately-sized venue for starting any sort of memorial trek. A small emissary of people could be sent from any gathering place to that exact spot to install any sort of memorial.

I also think it might also be worth consulting with the family before doing anything public. I know there are people in contact with them who are waiting for them to process the shock, pain, and grief before asking them what would be the most respectful way for the Pittsburgh cycling community--or any group of empathetic people--to honor this man's legacy.

Regards,

Joseph Wilk

Thanks for sharing, Joseph.

In the other thread it sounds like folks are in contact with the family about an appropriate memorial and/or gathering.

No problem, Rachel. Also, please note that this is my best approximation of how I imagine my neighbors would feel, based on my relationships to them.

If something was planned with just slightly more forethought and with advance warning (e.g., with flyers delivered to people's houses at and around the intersection, as well as posted at varying points along the Point Breeze Penn Ave. corridor), I would bet that a fair amount of people who live here would even be motivated to participate, as we and our friends, families, and neighbors are constantly being put at risk by the aggressive or careless drivers who populate that stretch of road.

Anyway, caveats aside, it's cool to see such an outpouring of support, and I wish everyone well with whatever way people decide to honor this man and/or assert their rights.

Have a good night, all.

Joseph thanks so much for taking the time to provide input. I agree, a more thoughtful and reasoned approach would be entirely more appropriate. We need to respect neighborhood and family needs, even encourage participation, and not simply bulldoze in with a "bike community" agenda. A loss such as this provides an opportunity to cross boundaries and reconstitute our common humanity.

So are you all saying not to do this?

So we won't do this tonight. Thanks for all your thoughts and input.

And if the post was made it haste, it was out of shock and sadness.

If someone plans a memorial ride/walk/gathering in the future please share it here.

Andy thanks for your willingness to plan this, but we need a bit of time to work with the family, and neighbors, and to gather people. Also, not that this must happen with me present, but I cannot attend tonight and I'd really like to be there. Something like this should happen in a timely manner, but not necessarily the very next day. I think Joseph makes great points and we should be sensitive to the community, neighbors, and especially the family. We just need a little time.

[edit] posted at the same time as scott, but basically I feel the same

Also, just FYI, in the case of Albert Varacallo up in Dubois 2 years ago, when some time, coordination, and planning was put into a memorial ride in Dubois, the community response and participation was stunning, to put it mildly. I would expect nothing less here.

edit - My strong suspicion is that the PMTCC, WPW, and or others will also be talking about some memorial activity, coordination should take place. I know people on this board have contacts.

"Please share ideas."

Perhaps a better use of time, for the time being, would be to do some riding in the neighborhoods of Wilkinsburg, Forest Hills, Churchill, Penn Hills, etc. looking for a white car with a broken windshield and its hood smashed in. This criminal who killed Mr. Price may not have a garage for hiding the car, which may be "hidden in plain view." The riding out there is pretty unremarkable but it would certainly be for a worthy cause.

Who maintains that road? PADOT or the city?

I think it would be entirely appropriate to invite those involved in widening that road and "streamlining" traffic along it to join whatever event is planned. Perhaps it can help inspire them to find room for improvement in any future plans for the corridor.

Since my close call on Perry Highway two weeks ago, I begin to question the very idea of four-lane streets. The concept is to allow cars to go fast, in large quantities. We want neither. Slow the hell down, or use the transit system. Stop driving. THAT should the the ultimate message.

Should we get a ride organized, I would so love to see 2,500 cyclists simply take over Penn Avenue. We had 150 in tiny Dubois. There are SO many bicycles in the East End, and Penn is SUCH an obvious thoroughfare, that I see no reason why we should not have a tremendous turnout for something like that.

I am visiting with the family today. I will let everyone here know the timeframe that works for them for a memorial ride/event.

Thanks for all you do Scott. I very much want to show support to Mr. Price's family & having their input makes the most sense.

+1000

Yes, thank you Scott, Erok, & everyone else at BP.