Learn More about
Open Streets
What is OpenStreetsPGH?
OpenStreetsPGH is inspired by the open streets movement – a global phenomenon promoting healthy outdoor activity and community engagement using city streets.
OpenStreetPGH temporarily closes streets to car traffic and invites Pittsburghers to reimagine their streets as places for people. This free event series connects communities to each other and creates a safe place for people of all ages to walk, bike, roll, and dance through 10 neighborhoods in 2019.
Save the dates for our 2019 OpenStreetsPGH series on May 25th, June 30th, and July 28th! OpenStreetsPGH offers something for everyone, from fitness workshops, to kids activities, shopping, brunch, community arts, and special promotions presented by over 100 local businesses and organizations.
Who organizes Open Streets Pittsburgh?
This event series is organized by BikePGH, a registered 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit, who works on behalf of the Pittsburgh community to make the city safe and accessible for everyone to bike and walk. BikePGH is committed to improving the health and quality of life of Pittsburgh through increased access to safe bicycling and walking facilities, and by creating opportunities to bike and walk for all.
Visit a hub
Hop off your bike or slow your stroll to stop at hubs around the route! Hubs feature free fitness classes with the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, BikePGH kids learn-to-ride activities, and local vendors!
EXPLORE THE ROUTE
As you walk, run, or bike down the route you will find live performances, giant board games, local food and shops, fitness classes, kids activities, and so much more!
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 the 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!
Impact on Local Businesses
An average of 38,000 people attended each OpenStreetsPGH event in 2018. That’s 38,000 opportunities to reconnect with an old customer, engage a new customer, and expand your reach. A conservative estimate based on a survey of participants showed that on average, a total of $1.7 million was spent during the events, or around $15 per participant. Dozens of studies show the positive impact of OpenStreetsPGH on businesses. For example, at Open Streets in San Diego, the net increase in average revenue for businesses on an Open Streets Sunday compared to a non-open streets Sunday was $466.
Volunteering at OpenStreetsPGH
Want to volunteer to help make OpenStreetsPGH happen? 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 major intersections 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. Motor vehicles dominate our city streets almost every day, all year long. Yet, those who get around on foot or by bike have just as much of a right to our streets. OpenStreetsPGH is about flipping the status quo, and allowing people to experience Pittsburgh’s streets in a whole new way. As the organizer of OpenStreetsPGH, BikePGH is looking for solutions to alleviate traffic congestion and make our streets safer for everyone year round. We know that cities see fewer traffic problems if residents are able to safely walk and bike. For many, OpenStreetsPGH is an introduction to these forms of transportation.
Crossing the event route by car
Cars can cross the OpenStreetsPGH route at major intersections staffed by public safety officials and volunteers. You can view the traffic crossings at openstreetspgh.org/route.
No parking on the event route
There is no parking allowed on the OpenStreetsPGH route the night before the event and during the event. “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.