Two Years later, Oakland is shaping up to be a very different neighborhood

It’s been two years since a driver tragically killed bicyclist Susan Hicks on Forbes Ave in Oakland, followed a few days later by another crash in the same neighborhood that took the lives of Hank Walker and Carol Christine Williamson while they were exiting a bus. Since then, the face of Forbes Ave, and the future of cycling in Oakland has changed dramatically.

As advocates, we’ve fought to make Oakland’s Fifth and Forbes Avenues safer for biking and walking. For too long, these roads, despite the large number of pedestrians and bicyclists, have been dominated by fast moving and aggressive automobile traffic.

Forbes Ave, from Bigelow Blvd on Pitt’s campus to Margaret Morrison on CMU’s campus, will soon have bike lanes along the stretch. Additionally, the forthcoming Bus Rapid Transit plan includes continuous bike lanes between Bigelow Blvd and downtown Pittsburgh.

Last year, at the one-year memorial for Susan, Councilman Gilman announced that the City will fast track a segment of bike lanes between Craig St and Bigelow Blvd, a section of road, highlighted at a lively public meeting, that originally wasn’t going to get bike lanes.

Well, the City and PennDOT made due on their promise, and the first phase of the Forbes Ave bike lanes, between Craig St and Bigelow Blvd are now in place. The lanes include innovative features, such as the City’s first contra-flow bike lane, first bike signal, and two-stage turns.

Event and ride

In honor of Susan, and to appreciate the new bike lanes and all of the people who made them happen, please join the friends and family of Susan Hicks on Monday, October 23, 2017 at 4:30pm to recognize all that has been accomplished.

We’ll be gathering at the Susan Hicks Ghost Bike on Forbes Ave (between Bigelow and Bellefield), followed by a short program.

Invited officials include: PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richards, State Rep Dan Frankel’s office, Mayor Bill Peduto’s office, Councilman Dan Gilman, and staff from the Office of Mobility and Infrastructure.

Following the event, join us for a short bike ride to the Butterjoint (214 N Craig St) for mingling and a toast to Susan Hicks.

Monday, October 23, 2017 at 4:30pm

Susan Hicks Ghost Bike Memorial on Forbes Ave, between Bellefield and Bigelow

Proceeds from a Susan Hicks inspired cocktail will be donated to the Susan Hicks Memorial Fund. Sponsored by Friends of Susan Hicks (FOSH) and BikePGH.

#SafeFifthForbesNOW

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