BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

what a mess

why were you walking your bike in the first place?

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I work at the Ariba building there and it is a big hassle, but yeah.. best to just stick to the roads there.

If you're talking about what I think you are, I'm pretty sure I've cut through there a few times. There is/was a stairway. I wonder what happened to it.

It's funny how unhelpful guards/police can be. It would seem you didn't want to be there, wanted to escape actually. I was across the river between the stadiums, trying to walk to CCAC. It's all tore up there because of the tunnel and all the other stuff all f-ed up. So I'm standing there, perplexed, confused, It looks dangerous for a pedestrian, do not enter signs, trucks and construction. I wouldn't know the best way to walk anyways, not being from Pgh originally. So I'm standing there trying to plan my route. Just then a traffic cop pulls up next to me on the sidewalk. Perfect, a traffic cop. I'll ask him.

"Sir, I'm trying to walk over to CCAC, what would be the best way to go" I ask. He says "just because I'm a cop doesn't mean I know everything" he's kind of yelling. I say "It says public safety on your jacket, thought you might know", "you don't need to be mean." His response "listen Dickhead, see these" he motions towards his little ear muffs, " see these, I can't hear very well with these on, I wasn't being mean." "OK I'm sorry I thought with the yelling you were being mean, it seemed mean to me." So, I wandered off into a hellish anti pedestrian maelstrom, a dangerous, confusing walk. Thanks for the help, officer.

Lyle, they have the stairwell blocked for construstion.

Timito, After I moved to the burgh I thought people were sometimes being mean, but I think its just the way they talk. If they arent complaining they arent from pittsburgh. They will help you out, but they will complain about it while they are doing it.

Most people here are very helpful, I've had people walk with me, showing me where to go. A traffic cop that can't give directions and calls people "dickhead", that's kinda mean.

I can be a real Dick, sure, but I wasn't being, just wanted directions. I'm no traffic cop but the way I walked seemed ill advised, I'd never been through there and with a quick visual assessment would have told someone asking me, looks dangerous, probably should go around. I didn't want a ride on his motorcycle.

They will help you out, but they will complain about it while they are doing it.

haha. there are so many businesses here, that when i walk in, i feel like i'm bothering them by giving them my money

Erok, I've wondered if this is a Pgh tradition, I seem to notice that more here. I've gone into places, with money. Thinking I should buy something to eat. I look hungry, I sort of mill around the counter, reading menus, nothing, I sometimes just leave, hate to bother people with taking my money.

When we moved here last year one of our first interactions with someone in Pittsburgh was trying to get a "foodperks" card to buy some food. We were tired from driving all day, hungry, and staying in a lousy motel as we stood there in front of the customer service desk at Giant Eagle. We didn't ring any bells or pester the girl behind the counter, but were just standing there patiently waiting until she was done with whatever she was doing (reading a book, I suspect...) Eventually, she looks up at us (with a "you just killed my cat" kind of stare) and said "what do you want??". Oh boy. How bout a ticket out of town?

Took us a few weeks, or months, but I think we are used to it now. Most people are very friendly, but we aren't surprised anymore when it seems like someone isn't.

I don't see this in my daily interactions with people I meet day to day, It seems to be people that actually have a job where they're supposed to be helpful that aren't. People here are very friendly, unless, I guess they're paid to be.

The last couple of posts remind me of the John Cleese industrial training video, "It's Alright, It's Only a Customer".

The reason I was walking: 1, it was drizzling steadily and didn't want road spray on my best pants; 2, most of the trip was going the wrong way on one-way Oliver Ave, and then crossing Wood St.

I knew the various construction projects existed but am not Downtown daily so just didn't know my usual path wasn't an option. With only a minute to spare before the 11C was due, I was less concerned about easy and more about fast.

That will teach you to wear pants.

yeah when I was a messenger you could cut down some

sketchy steps by the loading dock. this seems like a

fire hazard

sketchy steps by the loading dock

The whole building is under renovation for KL Gates to move in. That closure is possibly temporary. It's all a mess but should start to get better as they finish Market street etc.

Jeff is correct.. they have it closed off because of the construction lifts on that side of the building. The whole process is taking a lot longer than anticipated.. they keep finding asbestos and having to abate it.

Erok, I've wondered if this is a Pgh tradition, I seem to notice that more here. I've gone into places, with money. Thinking I should buy something to eat. I look hungry, I sort of mill around the counter, reading menus, nothing, I sometimes just leave, hate to bother people with taking my money.

I don't think it is limited to PGH. I used to manage a small wine shop and one of our employees had a good habit of making people feel this way. I talked with him about it on multiple occasions but he never changed. I wanted to fire him but never had the balls.

I happened to walk by Two PNC and One Oliver (One PNC?) Plaza today on the Liberty avenue side. That is a TOTAL mess as well, they've got lanes blocked off etc. If they close any more streets downtown the only way in and out may be by bike or foot.

^^ You're right about the street closures in town. I ride through town nearly everyday on my way home from work and have had to change my route 3 times (at least!) this year alone. If this keeps up everyone who works in town will have to live in the non-existent housing there and the rest of us will just have to avoid it completely.

Sorry, Steelers lost again. Feeling a little bitter today.