Learn about OpenStreetsPGH
What is OpenStreetsPGH?
*OpenStreetsPGH is canceled for the 2020 season*
OpenStreetsPGH temporarily closes streets to car traffic, and invites Pittsburghers to reimagine our streets as places for people. For a few hours on a summer morning, you can walk, run, bike, skate, roll, dance, and enjoy the streets at your own pace. Jump into a free fitness class, shop at local businesses, eat amazing food, and join activities hosted by local organizations.
OpenStreetsPGH is inspired by the global open streets movement. Hundreds of cities around the globe celebrate open streets to promote car-free transportation, healthy outdoor activity, and community engagement using city streets.
This event series is organized by Bike Pittsburgh, a non-profit organization who works on behalf of the Pittsburgh community to transform our streets and communities into vibrant, healthy places by making them safe and accessible for everyone to bike and walk.
Who organizes OpenStreetsPGH?
This event series is organized by Bike Pittsburgh, a non-profit organization who works on behalf of the Pittsburgh community to make the city safe and accessible for everyone to bike and walk.
Motor vehicles dominate our city streets every day. Yet, those who get around on foot or by bike have just as much of a right to our streets. BikePGH hosts OpenStreetsPGH to flip the status quo and allow people to experience Pittsburgh’s streets in a new way. At BikePGH, we work year round to make it possible for more Pittsburghers to get around safely without a car.
We advocate for policy change and infrastructure improvements to make our streets more bikeable and walkable. We train bicyclists to confidently bike in the city and create educational materials that improve street safety for all users. We also host events for our members and the broader community that celebrate biking, walking, and car-free transportation. Learn more about Bike Pittsburgh and get involved by visiting bikepgh.org.
Contact us:
openstreetspgh@bikepgh.org or 412-325-4334
Participating in OpenStreetsPGH
It’s free to participate in OpenStreetsPGH, and there is no registration or ticket required. Just come ready to bike, walk, skate, or roll through the streets. You can start anywhere along the route, and go either direction. People of all ages and abilities are welcome.
Participating as a business/organization
Whether you have a storefront on the OpenStreetsPGH route, or you’d like to get a spot on the route to host an activity, we’d love to have you participate! Visit openstreetspgh.org/getinvolved to find out how you can reach the tens of thousands of people people that will fill the streets on event day!
Volunteering at OpenStreetsPGH
Want to volunteer at OpenStreetsPGH? Go to openstreetspgh.org/volunteer and pick your favorite role! Do you live in one of the neighborhoods on the OpenStreetsPGH route and want to spread the word about the event to your neighbors? Email us at openstreetspgh@bikepgh.org.
Closing streets to car traffic
If you’re worried about getting around in a motor vehicle on the day of OpenStreetsPGH, don’t fret. Cars can cross the OpenStreetsPGH route at about a dozen intersections along the route which are staffed by public safety officials and volunteers. You can view the traffic crossings at openstreetspgh.org/route. City crews begin closing the roads at approximately 8am, with full closures in effect by 8:30am. At 1pm, the streets begin to re-open to cars and are fully open by 1:30pm. If you or a family member have a disability and need accommodations to cross the route with a vehicle at a closed intersection, contact us in advance at 412-325-4334.
Crossing the event route by car
Cars can cross the OpenStreetsPGH route at about a dozen intersections along the route that are staffed by public safety officials and volunteers. You can view the traffic crossings at openstreetspgh.org/route. City crews begin closing the roads at approximately 8am, with full closures in effect by 8:30am. At 1pm, the streets begin to re-open to cars and are fully open by 1:30pm. If you or a family member have a disability and need accommodations to cross the route with a vehicle at a closed intersection, contact us in advance at 412-325-4334.
No parking on the event route
There is no parking allowed on the OpenStreetsPGH route. “No parking” signs will be posted along the event route, and residents will receive mailings prior to the event with information about parking. Safety for event participants is our top priority, so cars still parked on the route by early in the morning of the event will be towed. Driveways for businesses and residences along the route will not be accessible from 8:30am to 1:30pm.
Port Authority Bus detours
Port Authority buses that use the streets along the OpenStreetsPGH routes will be detoured to nearby streets. To view all detours, visit https://www.portauthority.org/Detours/
