Bike Route Improvements

Fill critical gaps in Oakland’s bicycle network through the installation of safe, convenient bicycle facilities that would make biking a reasonable transportation option for thousands more people.

Many people travel by bicycle in Oakland daily, some utilizing its numerous Pittsburgh Bikeshare stations. Many people also travel by bicycle daily between Oakland and surrounding neighborhoods. Many more people could do so if safer, more welcoming facilities were available. The introduction of E-bikes (electrically-assisted bikes) to the Pittsburgh Bikeshare fleet in 2022 may encourage additional bicycle travel, especially on steeper street segments.

Dedicated bicycle facilities in Oakland are separated by challenging gaps, requiring cyclists to use portions of cautionary bike routes on Forbes, Fifth, Bates, and Boulevard of the Allies to reach their destinations.
Better connections are needed to existing trails in Panther Hollow and the Eliza Furnace Trail (the popular riverfront trail system) that provide valuable connections to Downtown, South Side and other neighborhoods. Better connections are also needed to neighborhoods to the west, north, and east, such as the Hill District, Bloomfield, and Larimer. Solutions for some of these connections have already been proposed, such as continuous bike facilities linking Fifth Avenue, Neville Street, and Boundary Street indicated in the Bike+ Plan.
Community stakeholders identified the importance of orderly management of all modes of travel, and consideration of dedicated bike signals, turn lanes, and bike boxes, for safety purposes and for reducing potential conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians.
The "chute" (circuitous bicycle route to connect cyclists on Saline Street to the Eliza Furnace Trail via Greenfield Ave, Second Ave, Swinburne Street, and Three Rivers Heritage Trail Parking lot) has been a longstanding challenge for cyclists seeking to access the Eliza Furnace Trail from the Junction Hollow Trail, and there is interest in a safer, more direct connection.
There was a community member proposal to construct a shared use path, in switchback form, down the hillside adjacent to Swinburne Street in South Oakland connecting to the Junction Hollow Trail, to reduce what is currently a circuitous path for bicycle commuters to/from South Oakland.
There has been community interest in a bicycle connection from the Eliza Furnace Trail at South Oakland's edge to Brady Street in Uptown/Bluff and up to Forbes Ave and Fifth Ave near the Birmingham Bridge.

Each new bike facility segment should extend far enough to close a significant network gap or reach a significant cycling destination. New segments should avoid endpoints that force cyclists to use cautionary bike routes. Because many facilities require reconfiguration of the street section and/or some additional right of way, it will be important to coordinate them with other street improvements (addressing elements like pedestrian safety, street trees, and parking) and engage major adjoining property owners, residents, and district organizations as partners where appropriate.

The following three corridors identified on the proposed bicycle network are key connections that should be prioritized for implementation over the next 10 years. These corridors, when combined with the two-way cycle track to be constructed on FifthAvenue, will create continuous connections via protected bicycle facilities between Schenley Park, the Eliza Furnace Trail, and south and central Oakland.

Bates Street from Eliza Furnace Trail to McKee Place:
- PennDOT’s design project is underway for Bates Street south of Boulevard of the Allies to widen the street and incorporate bicycle facilities. A sidewalk-level or protected two-way facility with a new direct connection to the Eliza Furnace Trail is preferred for this segment.
- The two-way protected bicycle facility on Bates Street should be extended north of Boulevard of the Allies to connect to the proposed two-way cycle track on McKee Place. This can be combined with future redevelopment around Zulema Street.
McKee Place from Bates Street to FifthAvenue - A two-way protected bicycle facility will connect the proposed protected bicycle facility on Bates Street with the future cycle track on Fifth Avenue in Central Oakland.
Boulevard of the Allies from Schenley Park to Bates Street – A two-way protected bicycle facility will provide connections between Schenley Park and the proposed protected bicycle facilities on Bates Street and McKee Place.
Explore all aspects of relevant bike infrastructure during the study and design of bike network improvements (e.g. including the possibility of elements such as dedicated bike signals, bike boxes, turn lanes, etc., where appropriate).
Pursue opportunities to install connections identified in the Oakland Plan and the Bike(+) Plan that connect Oakland with surrounding neighborhoods, such as the Hill District, Squirrel Hill, Greenfield, Hazelwood, and others.
Pursue a traffic study that looks at potential improved bike (+) connections between the Junction Hollow Trail and the Eliza Furnace Trail. Consider additional connections from South Oakland to the Junction Hollow Trail and nearby trails.

When to start by project:

Implementation timeframes for the recommended bicycle corridors are shown below. The corridors should also be prioritized based on ability to meet criteria discussed under Project Goals and Components below.

Bates Street bike facilities: 0-2 years (2^nd Avenue to Boulevard of the Allies); 5-7 years (Boulevard of the Allies to McKee Place)
Boulevard of the Allies bike facilities (east of Bates): 0-2 years
Robinson Street: 0-2 years
Neville Street (Fifth Ave to Junction Hollow Trail): 0-2 years
Fifth Avenue bikeway extension (South Bellefield to Neville Streets): 3-5 years
McKee Place: 3-5 years
Other improvements: ongoing

Duration: Up to 2 years for design and construction for each project

Estimated costs: $-$$ (out of $$$$) depending on facility

Project lead(s): DOMI

Project partner(s): Institutions, OTMA, OPDC, OBID, BikePGH, Pittsburgh Bikeshare, PID

Potential funding source(s): City Trust Fund, foundations, institutions, federal grants.

Examples, illustrations, data

Map showing bike facilities for all of Oakland.

Map: Existing and Proposed Bicycle Facilities

This map indicates proposed bike facilities in context with existing ones. These proposed facilities reflect a synthesis of recommendations from Oakland community members, BikePGH, City of Pittsburgh, and the consultant team. (Note: Select Bikeshare stations listed as existing may shift due to Pittsburgh Bikeshare’s system modifications.)

Example of Pittsburgh Bikeshare Stations

Example: Pittsburgh Bikeshare Stations

Distinct from the Oakland Plan, Pittsburgh Bikeshare (Healthy Ride) is modifying its system, removing select stations throughout the city while also planning to introduce electric E-Assist bikes in 2022. The Oakland Plan has identified three suggested locations to expand on remaining/existing Bikeshare) stations in Oakland, with a focus on the convergence of West and South Oakland where major existing UPMC and Carlow University campuses and neighborhood areas lack nearby bike stations.

Image source: Pittsburgh Bikeshare

Example: Bicycle Boulevard

Bicycle Boulevards are relatively inexpensive, quick to install, inviting to cyclists, and can be appropriate along neighborhood streets with low vehicular volumes and speeds and insufficient space for dedicated bike lanes. Bikes and vehicles share a common travel lane, with lane markings, signage, and speed humps or chicanes that advise drivers to expect cyclists and keep speeds low. Recommended locations include Atwood Street, Louisa Street, Dawson Street, Parkview Avenue, and Robinson Street, which together would provide valuable bike network connections between the Forbes/Fifth corridor, West Oakland, Central Oakland, South Oakland, and Schenley Park. Proposed bicycle boulevards in Central Oakland such as Bouquet, Atwood and Coltart Streets could also be candidates for stormwater, tree canopy, and pedestrian safety improvements coordinated through the “Central Oakland Green Streets” infrastructure project. Recommended bike boulevards along portions of Neville, Melwood, Centre, and connecting streets would eliminate network gaps between North Oakland and adjoining neighborhoods.

Image source: Madison Bike Life: Portland's Bicycle Boulevards, Where Bikes Take the Lane

Example: Protected Bicycle Facility

This is a bike lane that is separated from vehicle lanes by parked cars, bollards, curbing, or other physical barriers for enhanced safety and cyclist comfort. This level of investment is a high priority where it makes useful network connections that enable cyclists to avoid high-traffic streets. The map shows the planned two-way cycle track along Fifth Avenue as part of the proposed BRT improvements and proposed facilities on other streets including McKee Place, Boulevard of the Allies (east of Bates), Neville Street, and Roberto Clemente Drive.

Image source: CHPlanning.

Example: Trail or Shared Use Path

This facility combines bike and pedestrian passage, and preferably includes a center line to organize directional movement. It is generally appropriate where there is insufficient room for parallel bike facilities and sidewalks, and where adjacent buildings and driveways are infrequent enough that pedestrian and cyclist movements are unlikely to conflict. The proposed shared use paths generally occur at Oakland’s perimeter and connect with adjoining neighborhoods and regional greenways, through areas with steeper grades and less development. One example is the proposed shared use path along part of Neville / Boundary Streets linking the Junction Hollow Trail to North Oakland.

Image source: Emory University

Engage Pittsburgh

Fill critical gaps in Oakland’s bicycle network through the installation of safe, convenient bicycle facilities that would make biking a reasonable transportation option for thousands more people.

Examples, illustrations, data

Map: Existing and Proposed Bicycle Facilities

Example: Pittsburgh Bikeshare Stations

Example: Bicycle Boulevard

Example: Standard Bike Lane

Example: Protected Bicycle Facility

Example: Trail or Shared Use Path

Bike Route Improvements

Fill critical gaps in Oakland’s bicycle network through the installation of safe, convenient bicycle facilities that would make biking a reasonable transportation option for thousands more people.

What we heard

Project goals and components

When, how long, how much, and whom

Examples, illustrations, data

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