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Tell me where to put bike racks in the Waterfront

If you could put bike racks, bike corrals, bike welcome centers - anything bike/trail-user related in the Waterfront, what would it be and where? I've been asked to put together a proposal regarding bike racks, corrals, kiosks, etc. at the Waterfront and I'd like to hear a variety of opinions. I basically want to create bike utopia at the Waterfront.
sarapgh2
2013-02-26 13:50:47
You definitely need them by the movie theater. There is a lot of space there next to the main entrance for a bike corral. I'd prefer that side as it is more protected from the weather. Maybe under the roof in front of the entrance. Someplace next to the Starbucks in the town square would also make sense. Looking at the rest of the space I'd sprinkle them along the entrances to the big box stores. Giant Eagle would be a good place for a corral.
jonawebb
2013-02-26 13:58:54
Who is the proposal for? The Waterfront? Homestead? Steel Valley Trail? To start I would install a rack in front of every big box store, more than one in front of Giant Eagle and Target. One night last summer there were six bikes parked outside of Giant Eagle including mine. Rock Bottom, the "town center," etc. Most of your trail traffic will probably stick with what's on the trail, TGI Fridays, UNO, etc, but it would be nice if there were an easier way to get off of the trail and into the Waterfront proper. For instance, you have to ride over grass or over top of curbs to get from the limestone trail to Rock Bottom. When I daydream I imagine little off ramps combined with signs pointing out what can be reached from there. I would have a welcome center on either end of the waterfront with a map pointing out the facilities in the waterfront in addition to the great stuff in Homestead proper. But to me, that's on The Waterfront or Homestead to take on just like Southside has. I spend a lot of time at the waterfront both on and off my bike. Let me know if you want me to elaborate on anything.
rsprake
2013-02-26 14:09:37
I strongly agree re: by the Starbucks. Centrally located, very public, and directly accessible from the trail without crossing roads with traffic. A cluster or clusters of racks near the trailside restaurants would be good. A bike shop/bike rental place with a friendly long-term parking policy for GAP riders would be aces, too. Possibly a good place for a bike parts vending machine experiment?
reddan
2013-02-26 14:11:17
jonawebb - by main entrance, I assume you mean the side that faces the restaurants? rsprake - many of your ideas are on the table, you might get your wishes:) For the purposes of this proposal it's for the "Waterfront" as a whole, but ownership in the area differs from store to store in many places. Can you be specific about where along the trail you'd like to see cuts? Also, what would a "welcome center" entail? Any examples? (I have ideas of my own but don't want to skew the conversation.)
sarapgh2
2013-02-26 14:21:15
reddan - bike parts vending machine? tell me more...
sarapgh2
2013-02-26 14:23:02
@sara, yes, that side. Weather usually comes from the west and it is more protected there. Also, it's more convenient.
jonawebb
2013-02-26 14:31:01
@sarapgh2 : By "bike parts vending machine", I mean a standard snack-dispensing machine (ideally one that takes plastic) that is filled with spare tubes of various sizes, patch kits, tire levers, bolt assortments, folding hex wrench sets, and similar parts and small tools. Bonus points for wiring in an electrical air pump for free air.
reddan
2013-02-26 14:46:00
Since you used the word "utopia" I'll engage in some wishful thinking beyond racks. First, easiest, and most realistic, bike lanes down on the waterfront roads themselves (they're decently wide so should be easy) and on the ramp up to the bridge. Next, in bang for the buck, can we peel back the brown stone blocks that impede on the narrow sidewalk, put sharrows on the right hand lane on browns hill road, make the sidewalk up browns hill road continuous to the intersection with Hazelwood avenue (and not put ^&*ing signs on it, thanks). Having the 25 limit actually slight enforced on Browns Hill would be nice (I don't really care about 30, but please not everyone needs to go 40+). Getting more ambitious still, bike lanes to Greenfield avenue / Beechwood Blvd (which need to have their own bike lanes created/finished of course). After that, I don't know, big flyover bridge connecting duck hollow to hazelwood via 2nd avenue and/or continuation of hazelwood trail? Utopia sounds like a nice place. Good luck.
byogman
2013-02-26 14:49:38
sarapgh2 wrote: Can you be specific about where along the trail you’d like to see cuts?
My thinking is anywhere there is a traffic signal or its easy to cross so the light before Eat N' Park, Eat N' Park, and Red Robin.
sarapgh2 wrote: Also, what would a “welcome center” entail? Any examples? (I have ideas of my own but don’t want to skew the conversation.)
I really like what South Side is doing with their trail town initiative. They are planning shelters at strategic locations to help people find places to eat.
rsprake
2013-02-26 14:51:44
sarah, re: welcome center...how about just a map like the ones at Frick Park? Argh, I can't find any pics on the internet...
rice-rocket
2013-02-26 14:56:50
I like the idea of a bike parts vending machine but I don't think the Waterfront is the best place for the first one in Pittsburgh. Let's put the first one where there's lots of bike traffic now, like next to the repair station at Whole Foods. Edit: or, better, the end of Eliza Furnace Trail downtown.
jonawebb
2013-02-26 15:01:49
rice rocket - I'm familiar with the park sign, I can get pics of that. jonawebb - thanks for the link. looks interesting. air pump at the very least would be VERY useful.
sarapgh2
2013-02-26 15:33:44
Or a set up like at Whole Foods, with an air pump and some basic tools cabled to a secure anchor. Bike racks near the Sandcastle entrance too. With the trail coming, I am not sure they know what is going to hit them, bike wise.
swalfoort
2013-02-26 15:43:53
Sorry to go so afield, I saw "utopia" and jumped on it. I think the waterfront is nice to have, but when proposed it was supposed to help revitalize homewood and it didn't, because it was too cut off from the local streets. I'd hate to have see a big investment in a bike paradise and it be too cut off (at least for a lot of cyclists) from the rest of the city to have much of an impact except down by the trail. Different organizational stakeholders, involved here vs. what I'm talking about probably, but a clear case to me where the whole is more than the sum of its parts.
byogman
2013-02-26 15:52:28
There's been some revitalization of Homewood since the Waterfront was built. I've noticed new stores, restaurants, some offices, I think. Don't know if it is due to the Waterfront, and I'll bet it could have been better, but what was there before was a defunct steel mill. The development there is definitely an improvement.
jonawebb
2013-02-26 16:03:21
Some commercial strip improvement makes sense, that still serves outsiders down close to the waterfront area. But home values are of a highly depressed area. Could have been very different if some of the local streets connected in a pedestrian / bike friendly way and the whole place weren't so dominated by car parking. I don't recall seeing anyone walking to/from the place. Just saying there's a lesson there, will stop veering off the thread now.
byogman
2013-02-26 16:30:00
Thanks Stu, good stuff there. and more vending machines! :) I'd love to get to the point of needing multilevel bike parking.
sarapgh2
2013-02-26 16:35:51
I think one of the best things the waterfront could do is create a kiosk along the trail that would show out of towners what’s there. I’m thinking of a simple map and store list like they use at the indoor malls. I would place it somewhwere toward the pump house end. If you ride along the official trail you wouldn’t even know about the small “town” shops and restaurants by the movie theater. It would help to list which restaurants are bike-clothes friendly too, and those that wouldn’t mind you freshening up in their restrooms. (is there a stand alone restroom anywhere? Without having to go into a store?) I prefer several bike racks spread around compared to one central location unless the central location was staffed or had lockers to store your stuff while you shopped. It is a p.i.a. to take your lights, bags and other stuff off the bike; or risk leaving the stuff on the bike when you don’t know the riskiness of the neighborhood.
marko82
2013-02-26 16:49:18
Cameras out the wazoo near bike facilities, hooked to recording devices, with prosecution of crimes attempted or carried out. Starting up a good "You don't F with the bikes" vibe would go a long way to getting that utopia. NOT doing it will result in the opposite. Some of those cameras would need to face the parking lot, so as to track where perpetrators go. A couple along paths of car travel, too, so we can get plate #s. I'm sure the store owners desirous of prosecuting shoplifters would similarly be in favor of that.
stuinmccandless
2013-02-26 16:59:07
Sarapgh, can you use this project to also push nicely for a continuation of the cycletrack in Munhall all the way through the Waterfront? The reason being that bike racks, although much needed, the entire development must be made more bike friendly. This is a good first step though.
scott
2013-02-26 17:42:10
1. The Waterfront is in Homestead (and West Homestead, and Munhall, but whatever). Homewood's a different place. (So's Hazelwood.) Of course, all those Homes and Woods are about the same, right? a. I've definitely walked into the Waterfront from Homestead, when that was where the closest fastest bus went. (I've also walked from Squirrel Hill, but I acknowledge I'm an... outlier.) But the place is pretty clearly designed to pull people in from the City... 2. I think the Waterfront would be a fabulous place for a parts vending machine. I think Whole Foods and on the Furnace Trail would be great places for them, too--but it's the Waterfront we've got the ear of here, so why shouldn't it get one? 3. Racks near each of the big-box stores. Perhaps take one or two of the front parking spaces across from each and turn them into a corral? Definitely a corral in that little side parking lot between Giant Eagle and Target. 4. Definitely agree with Marko re: welcome signs along the trail with "what's here" and "which places aren't going to look at you funny when you walk in with 300 miles of dust on you" (or, alternately, "where can i pee before i get on this trail?"). a. It'd be swell if the signs could reference some things that aren't specifically part of the Waterfront development, too, like the aforementioned restaurants on and near Eighth Ave, but that might be a bit much to ask for... 5. Definitely cameras over all parking areas, ones decent enough to be able to identify any vandals, thiefs, etc. Prominent signs promising prosecution of problem-causers, too. (Oof. Sorry, sometimes Alliteration Happens.) 6. Continuing the cycletrack up Waterfront Dr would be awesome! I get the impression most of this project is about how to draw the cycling (especially SV/GAP trail) population into the Waterfront, but it could also be another great way to introduce the Waterfront population to cycling options...
epanastrophe
2013-02-26 18:10:51
My Waterfront bike-oasis-utopia would include a bike rack. A Whole-Foods type FixIt bike work stand with tools and pump. http://www.dero.com/products/fixit/ http://localhost/blog/2011/09/21/whole-foods-market-takes-bike-friendly-to-the-next-level/ A tubes-levers-patch kit vending machine that also sells ChamoisCreme, AA and AAA batteries. http://gajitz.com/bike-repair-station-vending-machine-help-for-cyclists/ http://www.rideyourbike.com/vendingmachine.html A wifi hotspot for trail travelers (like in Connellsville) A USB charging station. A water fountain. A water hose to rinse off the bikes coming off the GAP Three chaise lounges, sort of like the outdoors chairs at Bakery Square. Seriously. A take-a-picture setup showing distance to Pgh, DC, and Bejing. And I would place my BikeOasisUtopia somewhere between the Labyrinth and the PumpHouse (with their restrooms) A bike rack at Costco, another between the hotels by the Gantry. We should put two bike racks at Sandcastle, if only because we've been predicting that if they'd open the trail they'd get bike business, I'd like them to see bikes parked at their gate. If I might indulge the notion further, I'd like to see a terminal with a printer with directions to the normal destinations BUT ALSO key attractions in Homestead - such as Ian Green's artwork, Smoke restaurant (and also the vegetarian place across the street), the Cookie bakery etc. (Lest I make a suggestion without a supporting reference, I'm thinking about the screen-and-printer at the Frostburg Trailhead.) I mention Homestead because (in my inchoate opinion) too often developments like WaterFront don't attempt to bring some visitors into the actual local community.
vannever
2013-02-26 18:15:08
jonawebb wrote:I like the idea of a bike parts vending machine but.... put the first one where there’s lots of bike traffic now, like next to the repair station at Whole Foods.. or, better, the end of Eliza Furnace Trail downtown.
I've been surprised that REI doesn't place one outside their building to offer after-hours bike support. Then people would think, You can always go to REI to get what you need. I don't think it would cannabilize their in-store business.
vannever
2013-02-26 18:18:36
The sidewalk by the big box stores is often very narrow. For those areas a rack or two out with the cars might be best (protected from cars of course). Could we get a distinctive sign or flag above each bike rack (or perhaps the sign could be part of the bike rack) to help folks find the racks? Ideally, when standing at the front of every store, you should be able to easily see either a bike rack, or a sign pointing toward bike parking. Dicks sells some bike stuff, so a rack near there would be particularly useful for GAP users who need supplies. Perhaps Dicks would sponsor a repair station like the one at Whole Foods. Racks near the 24-hour restaurants (Steak N Shake, maybe Eat N Park too?) would be good, and an indication of which restaurants are 24/7 should be noted on the map of Marko's mall-style kiosk.
steven
2013-02-26 18:19:53
Steven wrote:Racks near the 24-hour restaurants (Steak N Shake, maybe Eat N Park too?)
Smiley-cookie shaped bike racks! FTW
marko82
2013-02-26 19:41:09
Great great ideas, keep 'em coming. Vannevar-love the wifi and usb ideas too. plus the chaises:) Love the idea to highlight 24-hour or late night food locations. Don't count out putting 8th Ave places on a map/kiosk.
sarapgh2
2013-02-26 20:17:27
Y'know, just plain overdoing it with the racks would not be a bad idea. A corral that can hold 12 to 20 bikes in all of the aforementioned places may seem like overkill, but look at the whole place. Overbuilt parking much, already? They're on a bike boulevard, for crying out loud. Add 100 racks? Not out of the question.
stuinmccandless
2013-02-26 21:11:30
I live just up the hill from the waterfront so I frequently bike there. Yes racks would be good. Panera bread / Starbucks / Barnes and Noble would make me happy! But what would make me more happy would be bike lanes put on all the roads out there. They are way overbuilt and it makes biking there kinda scary for the novice. I would suggest signage on both ends so through-bikers will know what is available in the area.
igo
2013-02-26 22:52:32
Would bike corrals turn into places to leave shopping carts? Maybe the designer should consider how to minimize that. Curbs with openings spaced wide enough for bikes but not carts?
steven
2013-02-27 03:01:18
Vannevar wrote:A tubes-levers-patch kit vending machine that also sells ChamoisCreme, AA and AAA batteries.
If it's possible a little bit more for batteries. Some of them (lights) are using different types. Probably a small piece of duct tape, and some first aid stuff (bandages), some cheap rain protection. I would go as far as cheap dry socks.
mikhail
2013-02-27 09:54:22
Andrew wrote: But what would make me more happy would be bike lanes put on all the roads out there. ...
Regarding bike lanes and the identification/marking thereof, I had the pleasure of riding through Waterfront last year with BobH the TandemCaptain, and he led me across the development behind the stores rather than on the main drag. It's a great alternative route, especially if you're entering or exiting Homestead because it's an easy transition to Amity Street and avoids teh crazy. Just fwiw.
vannever
2013-02-27 10:00:52
Thank you for all the wonderful ideas. Really great stuff. :)
sarapgh2
2013-02-28 11:23:37
Have new racks been installed yet? I was looking for parking over by rock bottom yesterday and found very few places to lock up. I wound up lashing up to a stop sign.
benzo
2013-05-17 10:24:08
They've been ordered and are coming. I haven't been told of an installation date yet, but I know they want everything in by June 15. This initial order, while it will cover the entire area the Waterfront Shopping Center manages, won't be the end of it. Hopefully we'll show them this is just a start and more is needed. Also keep in mind that the management company does not own the entire Waterfront, and independently owned properties have to do their own thing. We're reaching out to these entities as well, but since it's just one person (me:) I 've had to pick my battles so far. Waterfront management made it very easy, they've been wonderful. Long story short, you'll have something better at Rock Bottom soon.
sarapgh2
2013-05-17 10:30:52
A good way to map bike racks is this crowdsourced online map: https://sites.google.com/site/pghbikeracks/ Read the instructions and you can add to the wishlist there. This page says "this is completely unofficial" - it would be great if the City or County or both would adopt / adapt this and make it official.
paulheckbert
2013-05-17 11:42:22
More wishlist (this from the Steel Valley Trail Council): Complete the following map, namely connect Hazelwood & Duck Hollow Trails across the Glenwood Bridge to the GAP, with nice ramps, and extend the Duck Hollow Trail past Carrie Furnace to Rankin and Braddock, crossing the Rankin Hot Metal Bridge (currently closed) to the GAP upstream of the blue Marcegaglia building. That way people in Rankin & Braddock & Swissvale & Squirrel Hill could easily bike to Homestead & vice versa, and people in Homestead could more easily commute to work in Oakland, etc. http://tinyurl.com/cch2ldz
paulheckbert
2013-05-17 12:04:55
I would like to second Vannevar's suggestion that the service road behind the store strip and paralleling the railway be marked for bicycling. (In fact I submitted a route suggestion to Google maps covering that stretch a while ago. I checked just now and it's there!) This is a desirable bypass for the GAP. The trail along the river is multi-use and not altogether suited for through biking (many pedestrians, children and so on). Apart from striping that stretch it would be good to mark a path from the environs of Costco, down the road past Macy's, to the intersection. On bike racks: I'm not sure these should be next to the buildings. It would be better if they were on the parking lot side. All you'd need to do is convert a couple of parking spots, plus it would be easy to expand the space as needed. A couple of access suggestions; these are not on the Waterfront property but still matter to it: 1) Marking paths up and down Amity from the mall to 8th would be extremely useful; it's a busy street but really the only connection to Homestead itself. 2) Marking and striping the stretch of road between the Waterfront and the Rankin Bridge would be extremely useful, particularly once the Duck HollowBraddock trail is established. In any case there's a good bit of bike traffic along there and it should be staked out.
ahlir
2013-05-17 13:40:18
"I would like to second Vannevar’s suggestion that the service road behind the store strip and paralleling the railway be marked for bicycling. " This has been suggested and is not out of the question. " All you’d need to do is convert a couple of parking spots, plus it would be easy to expand the space as needed." We'll have at least one instance of this, in addition to racks. (Last I heard, that is :) "Marking paths up and down Amity from the mall to 8th would be extremely useful; " This has also been suggested, also not out of the question.
sarapgh2
2013-05-17 14:22:53
Sara, from what I saw today there's going to be a big increase in bicycles at the Waterfront. If you get any feedback from the Waterfront folks about that, anecdotes or dollar-value, if it's anything you can share it would be real interesting to hear about. It would be an interesting case study for other commercial developments. As in, the trail was opened on date X, and we saw effect Y. thanks, V.
vannever
2013-05-17 14:55:50
"and he led me across the development behind the stores rather than on the main drag. " +1 I now go through the Waterfront to and from work, and this is a good route during the day. Later at night, like 11pm, there's less traffic and it's not as bad either going on whatever road connects to the bike paths or going through the shopping center
sgtjonson
2013-05-17 15:19:54
(I realise this is a little off topic, but it didn't seem worth a new thread, either...) Perhaps this already exists and I don't know where to look for it--but a public water fountain, especially one big enough to fill a bottle as well as take a drink from, would be fabulous. Was on a ride through there a couple weekends ago and realized my bottle was nearly empty... couldn't think of where to fill up at, so ended up going to Steak 'n' Shake, in part because it was at the end of the development. Fortunately I was with a friend who could stay outside with the bikes, so it didn't matter there was nothing to lock to, but I ended up filling our water bottles in the bathroom sink...
epanastrophe
2013-05-17 15:31:23
Bb, the McD soda fountains are self-serve and have a spout for just water. But a scuttlebutt would be nice, and are generally a sign of civilization.
vannever
2013-05-17 16:21:30
I'd thought the S&S would, too--turns out, if they have a fountain, it's not self-serve, and there was a big line i didn't feel like standing in at the take-out counter. I'd rather drink from a bubbler than a butt, myself...
epanastrophe
2013-05-17 17:02:15
You should see bike racks going up around Waterfront Shopping Center-owned property starting this week. We got about 25 swerve racks and 2 corrals (of 5 racks each) plus two air pumps. Waterfront folks have been amazing! Let me know where you think we're still missing some, once they go in. We have a few extra to place where we might have missed something. Regarding amenities - there is a waterfountain in the roundabout between Unos and TGIFs, it's just hard to find. It should be on, or will be very soon. It's getting upgraded soon. Also, there are public bathrooms you can use in the Town Plaza area, just look to the side as you cross the ped bridge that goes over to Mitchells. Thanks for all your help and suggestions!
sarapgh2
2013-05-29 09:04:32
Wow, congratulations on a great job, Sarah! Pumps, too! This makes a huge difference for folks pedaling up from the Southside -- just in time for the GAP completion. The Waterfront folks are to be congratulated on their planning ahead.
jonawebb
2013-05-29 09:12:25
Great news! Good to know about the fountain and bathrooms too - I've never noticed them before so I'll have to go exploring the next time I'm down there.
marko82
2013-05-29 09:18:51
Sounds great! Any plans for signs on the trail to direct people to the drinking fountain and bathrooms?
steven
2013-05-29 11:19:42
Steven. yes.
sarapgh2
2013-05-29 12:33:33
Racks are going in. The Steel Valley Trail Facebook page had photos from Best Buy, Rock Bottom, and a few others with new racks.
rsprake
2013-05-29 14:35:03
Sarah, This is a bump Yale was talking about: 1 2 3 4
mikhail
2013-05-29 14:49:43
Now some kind of bush went through. :)
mikhail
2013-05-29 14:50:18
On the note of utopia... they've essentially been clear-cutting along the riverside part of the trail, which I think is annoying because it would have been nice for shade/wind barrier I also don't know if the road is wide enough, but I'd like the bike trail to extend all the way, rather than cut back behind those condominiums on the limestone path and then kind of dump out into that parking lot kind of weirdly People are already just sticking to the road, which I do on the way to Braddock, but have been taking the limestone on the way to work
sgtjonson
2013-05-29 15:17:46
@Pierce: You need to get to the service road behind the mall. From the west, the impatient way is to go straight up the ramp to the bridge intersection, do the pedestrian cross and go down the other side (on the sidewalk). Cross Amity (dodging traffic) and keep going more or less straight. You will eventually end up within sight of the Pump House. The sensible way is to cut across the road from the Costco entrance to the megaplex parking lot, then continue past Macy's and across Amity at the traffic lights. From the east, reverse that last route. Or, strike a blow for the cycling revolution and simply proceed down the main road, whilst taking the lane. Have some snappy retorts available. (No, I haven't done this.)
ahlir
2013-05-29 18:23:46
A bit on an aside, but related to the trail as it goes through the Waterfront: Are there any plans to re-do the river side of the main pedestrian bridge that basically links the "new" part of the trail with the older limestone portion by the riverside, the part between Mitchell's Fish Market and the former Pittsburgh Burger Co (former Fuddruckers)? The ramp there seems to be very narrow and unnecessarily switchback-y, it's honestly easier to cut through the vacant parking lot there than to stay on that path. I was just curious if there were any plans, big or small, for that area. A minor annoyance, but one nonetheless...
impala26
2013-06-02 20:56:42
See the previous thread. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long until the property sells and the trail folks can complete the connection through there, so people won't be tempted to ride the wheelchair ramp for that pedestrian bridge on their bikes, thinking it's the trail.
steven
2013-06-03 00:07:58
I tried to help out a few people who were doing the W.A.R. as I passed by. They were clearly lost and confused, and I saw people going all sorts of ways. [I wasn't participating but my ride coincided with their paths...as it did with the Arthritis walk...]
myddrin
2013-06-03 07:56:01
myddrin wrote:They were clearly lost and confused, and I saw people going all sorts of ways.
A few spray painted arrows on the pavement would solve most of the confusion.
marko82
2013-06-03 08:12:57
I am not a fan of public spray painting, be that tags or directions. If you must, at least use chalk, either in the hand or the spray form. I am disappointed the bicycle marathon spectator directions were not chalk. Now they are just graffitti.
helen-s
2013-06-03 11:15:47
Some new bike racks were installed at the Waterfront. I photographed these yesterday: One of the two bike racks on west side of AMC Loews theater at the Waterfront: Starbucks: It's a good start, but I hope the demand continues to grow and we get many times this many bike racks.
paulheckbert
2013-06-14 15:20:31
BTW, nothing more has happened on this for almost a year now, except that the Waterfront has become a much more popular biking destination. There is still one solitary rack across the way from the theater -- and the rack is bolted to some bricks. It's gotten wobbly and anyone who really wanted to could take it and any attached bikes if they had a pickup truck. What we need is at least a ribbon rack near the theater, preferably under one of the overhangs. And a ribbon rack or corral near the Giant Eagle would make sense, too. What do we have to do to get action on this?
jonawebb
2014-05-30 15:51:00
Yes, I've needed racks over that end of the Waterfront when I go shopping there... just yesterday in fact. I've had issues finding places to park at Lowes (The hardware/tools place, not Loews) and the Iggle. I really enjoy the one outside Barnes and Noble. I use it frequently.
rustyred
2014-05-30 19:39:43
I do a fair amount of stop'n shop in Squirrel Hill. I've grown to really like the regularly-spaced u-tubes. You can always find a spot, either by doubling up, crossing the street or riding the extra ~30m to the next one. This would be ideal for the strip-mall part of the Waterfront (i.e. most of it). Particularly busy bits could also get some racks: there're always plenty of re-purposable parking spaces across the roadway. Those u-tubes seem relatively cheap. Why can't we just have those in all our shopping districts? I'm sure merchants would be more that happy to pitch in so that they can benefit from the increased traffic that it will bring to their establishments. Probably no need for a by-law; though I guess that's always an option...
ahlir
2014-05-30 21:27:39
@sarapgh2: I didn't realize until seeing this thread today that you were behind the appearance of the bike racks at the waterfront. I wondered how that happened. Thank you so much for your efforts!
jkp1187
2014-05-31 06:59:21
I recently sent a E Mail to Costco asking them to place and Maintain a Garbage can for the Trail and also asked for a Air Pump , It would only be a small investment and both would help the Trail alot . I was thinking they could put a sign out that says free air and put the pump by the front or tire garage . Worth a Try ?
cowchip
2014-05-31 20:57:41
Just a few weeks back my partner and I headed to the Waterfront to do some shopping and found the bike parking (although 300% expanded from what it once was) lacking. We considered seeing a movie and locked up to a traffic sign to scope out the situation. There were no less than 8 bikes locked to random signage around the theater lot. A corral would be a good investment. Is there a contact person for the Waterfront or do we contact the theater directly?
lizzimac
2014-06-02 07:31:10
I wrote to AMCGuestServices@amctheatres.com about this -- there is a form on their web site where you can select the theater to enter a complaint. Not sure if this is the best option though. I'd be happy to hear about others. It seems to me this is an obvious, easy thing to do. The theater has the space, and a bike rack can't cost that much compared to the amount they spend on parking, or their daily take.
jonawebb
2014-06-02 08:27:45
The waterfront also needs some bus shelters. I saw about 10 people waiting in a dusty patch of dirt for a bus on waterfront drive near lowes theater. The opposite stop is across a 4 lane street with no painted crosswalk and no traffic control devices. This isn't friendly design for transit users. Transit stops on amity st also have no shelter, but at least there are crosswalks with pedestrian crossing lights. I'd hate to try and do shopping here and wait for the bus in the rain or snow with no shelters. Especially since this route probably has a lower frequency, with longer wait times.
benzo
2014-06-02 08:34:08
I had the same problem trying to find a rack around Lowes Theater too. Annoying. I also go to that GE probably 2/3 times a week and it is also annoying they don't have a rack. All the racks by the stores at least to me seem to be in front of stores that I never shop at like OfficeMax or whatever
sgtjonson
2014-06-02 09:09:10
I helped sara with this a bit. one thing i learned was that waterfront management only has control over certain stores, the ones that they own. this is where all the racks that you see went in. the other stores, like giant eagle, Dicks (one of the largest bicycle retailers in the US), Costco, Lowes, etc, are actually owned by the respective companies themselves, so they each need to be reached out to in order to get racks. Waterfront management can't put bike racks on private property that they don't own. I honestly have no clue who the local contacts are for these individual stores, sara might, but it might be worth our time to figure out where to best get racks, and collectively email, call, write letters to those targeted spots. I've actually had some luck using the "submit a comment" on faceless corporate webpages, so it might work.
erok
2014-06-02 10:27:09
BTW, the complaint form for AMC Theaters is here: https://www.amctheatres.com/contact/feedback You can enter the Loew's location and date, and say that you went there to see a movie, but there was no bike parking, which sucked.
jonawebb
2014-06-03 13:52:41
Done and done. Thank you, jonawebb, for pandering to the lazy of us.
lizzimac
2014-06-04 07:52:04
Here's my response from The Iggle: On Jun 4, 2014 10:10 AM, wrote: Hi Colleen, Thank you for taking the time to provide us with valuable feedback. I think the idea of a bike rack is a great idea for our customers who use the trail and live close by our store. I was e-mailed your request from our customer care center. I am going to forward it and reach out to my Senior Building Services Leader to see if we can make it happen. Again, thank you for taking the time to reach out to us. Thanks, Mike Store Leader – Giant Eagle # 6379 Homestead, PA
rustyred
2014-06-04 09:19:36
I went to Costco and a few other places at the Waterfront for the first time in a long time a while ago and was so happy to see real racks around! Thank you for making this happen!
mattjackets
2014-06-04 16:34:28
There already are bike racks at the Waterfront. They are in the plaza area, where the Starbucks is located. These were received through a program sponsored by Sustainable Pittsburgh. I have pictures on our FB page, "Safe Streets South Hills Pittsburgh, PA" Need one in front of Blue Dust :-)
fultonco
2014-06-04 21:32:20
Incidentally, I had a bike light stolen off my bike last night at the Waterfront GE. Granted, first time its happened out of hundreds of times stopping there, but still annoying. Maybe that would be less likely to happen if there was a secure place to lock the bike
sgtjonson
2014-06-05 13:15:26
I used the AMC Loews feedback page to send an email asking for more bike racks and a bus shelter. I got a form email on Tuesday thanking me for my request and stating that my concerns would be forwarded to their operations team. @fultonco: Blue Dust already has a couple bike racks in front their door, but installing more wouldn't hurt. As for the Starbucks racks, they're convenient if you're shopping at that end of the property, but not so if you're shopping at Lowe's. Thankfully, someone had racks installed in front of each storefront from Old Navy down to Best Buy. Again, I'm greatful for what's there, but we could always use more.
jaysherman5000
2014-06-05 15:02:28
had a curious, first-time-ever experience Thursday at the waterfront. Was riding from PumpHouse to SouthSide. After passing in front of hotels, turned right to go around gas pumps and behind Costco building - which I like to do because it lets me avoid the Three Driveways of Death. The gas station attendant actively waved us out of there, "you have to stay on the trail". Anybody else encounter this? I don't know if it's a new Costco policy, or one person having a day. Cheers, V
vannever
2014-06-05 20:49:28
Uggh, hall monitors.
edmonds59
2014-06-06 05:49:27
Man, would I love a path that took me straight under the homestead grays bridge and connected to the street that runs behind the giant strip of stores and connected back up with the trail before the rankin bridge. That would be awesome. I guess W bridge St, cross amity, swing behind the strip isn't a terrible route If I wanted to do that, but I'm sure a trail could be done. It would help if there was a traffic light at w bridge st to make it easier to cross 4 lanes of two way traffic.
benzo
2014-06-06 07:48:38
The current state of things, coming from W Bridge, is not too bad. Swing around Macy's and continue. The lights at Amity and the street that fronts the mall are pretty benign. Cross and go across a not-very-busy parking lot and you're there. Now, lights at the other end (past the Lowe's) would really be nice. And some sharrows on the back road.
ahlir
2014-06-06 11:15:07
I think the bike lane should continue all the way through the waterfront ,8th ave has room too , I never use the MUP . i stay in the right lane and cut behind costco through gas pump
cowchip
2014-06-07 23:12:37
I find the MUP behind the restaurants a nice option, but there are lots of pedestrians, the path is not paved and gets soft/puddly in wet weather and winter. This was especially bad when some heavy machinery was driven on the path this winter/spring and created deep impressions in the crushed limestone surface. This is fine on a cross bike or hybrid with fatter tires, but sucks on a road bike with skinny tires. I'm much more apt to take the paved way, which I tend to do via waterfront dr, but the highway like orientation of that street is a real turn off. Wish there was a better connector around the waterfront.
benzo
2014-06-08 11:20:39
Not sure why, but there was a survey crew measuring the road frontage in front of Costco earlier today. I also tempted the rath of the hall-monitor by riding through the gas pump area - the attendant didnt say anything as I waved and went past.
marko82
2014-06-08 12:33:42
thanks Marko I appreciate it. Interesting post on FB from the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area regarding the PumpHouse (which they own) (and I don't think this is a problem) "Due to the increased traffic at the Pump House and the need to be able to use our space for events, tours, the market, etc. we will be installing gates on the lot sometime within the next few weeks. The lot will be open for trail parking as usual the majority of the time, we will however be reserving the right to close the gates/lot for events. We appreciate your help in making the public aware of these changes."
vannever
2014-06-08 15:17:32
My comment on http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2014/10/09/Bicyclists-welcome-in-Mon-Valley-boroughs/stories/201410090060 I enjoy bicycling too, so several years ago I joined the Steel Valley Trail Council, the volunteer organization that manages the bike trails along the Mon River in this area. Working with the Waterfront, "The Avenues", and others on spur trails and bike racks, etc, is something we've been active in. We would love to get more people who live in Homestead and nearby communities involved in the trail. Anyone interested in the trail is invited to attend our monthly meetings - see steelvalleytrail.org, or email info@steelvalleytrail.org
paulheckbert
2014-10-09 08:56:30
The interview with the Marty Sweeney is awfully positive for 50 bike racks spread over a mile of real estate. I wonder what the ratio is of bike parking versus car parking -- 1000:1? And, thinking about it, 50 sounds awfully high. Is he talking about individual bike parking spaces?
jonawebb
2014-10-09 10:42:02
There are certain places that bicyclists prefer to another and lot of recreational bikers do not care locks with them. It would be nice if some places could provide U-Lock rent for small fees like OTB does. I don't know if any liability is involved... This is on one hand On other hand, if there is concern that u-locks are going to be stolen on their own -- may be real good hardened chain attached to a rack with lock could solve the problem.
mikhail
2014-10-10 10:10:49
I like the system they have for shopping carts in Europe: They're all chained together in the lot. You drop in a euro and one unlocks. Kind of like lockers in the bus or train stations over here. Presumably the bike parking would be somewhat supervised (e.g. just outside a café.)
ahlir
2014-10-12 14:38:59
My reply is put them everywhere the budget allows and try to provide a couple of sheltered bike parking spots and or a pavilion and a picnic table just for cyclist , was chased out of Costco gas pumps when it started to rain and I needed cover . Please
cowchip
2014-10-13 05:50:23
I took a group of colleagues out for a ride yesterday that started and ended at the Waterfront. Afterwards, we got lunch at Gran Agave, but there was only a single swerve rack available in front of the restaurant. We ended up securing 3 or four bikes to it by just locking bike-on-bike after the first two were locked to the rack. In between the Improv and Gran Agave, there are a couple of useless patches of grass that look like the perfect place for adding bike corrals. This is right in front of the side-entrance to Macy's, across from Yokoso. It would be a nice, out of the way spot to provide parking for lots of bikes without impact to motor vehicle parking or pedestrian traffic. Of course, I'm not opposed to eliminating some of the motor vehicle parking to make room for bike racks, but at least this idea would be immune to the "but where will I park my car?!?" hysteria.
jaysherman5000
2014-10-13 08:26:59
Not to mention the various covered areas around the theater building. The west side has a couple of spaces on each side of the entrance that would be perfect for a bike corral.
jonawebb
2014-10-13 08:29:18
This is slightly off topic but not worth a new thread: Here is a bike rack I just finished fabricating for an old friend. It's going in at his new bar and restaurant in Homestead, across the tracks from the Waterfront, at 224 E. 8th Avenue (Route 837). The place is called Dorothy 6 (named after an old blast furnace in Homestead) and is well worth a trip to check it out. Anyone who enjoys seeing a formerly vacant building rehabilitated and put to productive use would enjoy seeing what has been done there. More importantly, 20 good beers are on tap and the food is quite good. I should finish painting the rack today and have it installed by the weekend. Hopefully this upload works.
jmccrea
2014-10-13 12:22:30
The tubing bender (oriented wrong):
jmccrea
2014-10-13 12:29:36
"Here’s my response from The Iggle: On Jun 4, 2014 10:10 AM, wrote: Hi Colleen, Thank you for taking the time to provide us with valuable feedback. I think the idea of a bike rack is a great idea for our customers who use the trail and live close by our store. I was e-mailed your request from our customer care center. I am going to forward it and reach out to my Senior Building Services Leader to see if we can make it happen. Again, thank you for taking the time to reach out to us. Thanks, Mike Store Leader – Giant Eagle # 6379 Homestead, PA" Look what I just saw at the Waterfront Iggle! IMG_20150703_144030
rustyred
2015-07-03 15:41:43
Congratulations, RR!
jonawebb
2015-07-03 16:55:16
Just to verify, it took them about a month, or a year and a month, to respond to your request? Regardless, the response is positive! Hooray! And thank you!
stuinmccandless
2015-07-03 18:02:04
I'd requested they install some last June and only just now happened to notice them, I have no idea how long they've been there because my last few shopping trips didn't take me into or past Giant Eagle.
rustyred
2015-07-03 21:18:42
Awesome! Congrats, Red! Related, I requested a rack for the North Side Giant Eagle a few months ago. Given the location, it seemed like a no-brainer. Nothing yet as of my last visit a few weeks ago...
chrishent
2015-07-04 13:24:16
@chrishent - Maybe we need a ride of about 6 to 10 cyclists to roll over there and claim a parking space. Then we march in and ask a manager to come out, take a look at it with us, and explain our case.
stuinmccandless
2015-07-04 15:24:30
Eh @stu, I doubt that would work. I don't think they would care. Even if it had adequate bike parking, this place gets my vote for Worst Giant Eagle in Pittsburgh.
chrishent
2015-07-04 18:49:14
The responsiveness depends greatly on whether or not the GE is corporate-owned or owned independently as a franchise.
rustyred
2015-07-04 21:07:56
By the way, Sara Petyk (@sarapgh2) and Lois Liberman, volunteering for the Steel Valley Trail Council, have been talking to Giant Eagle in the Waterfront about bicycle parking for over a year. But the lobbying from @RustyRed is much appreciated.
paulheckbert
2015-07-05 09:54:36
Nice to see new racks at the waterfront GE and homestead. Having good racks outside dorthoy 6 is really cool. I thought that was a nice spot when I stopped there last time. Wondering if the new voodoo brewery is going to install some racks too?
benzo
2015-07-06 11:35:34