As part of National Bike Month, hundreds of Pittsburghers and cyclists from outlying areas commuted to work on two wheels Friday. It was the fifth year for Bike to Work Day in Pittsburgh.
Last year’s event saw about 550 people participate, numbers for Friday won’t be available until a later date. Russell Duff is from the Baldwin area and was at a relief station on the South Side for this year’s Bike to Work Day.
“I’ve been biking since I was 5-years-old," Duff said. "I’ve done BMX, freestyle, and I just can’t stay off a bike.”
Duff was actually working from home on Friday but rode into the city and then looped back home in order to participate.
“It’s like my stress reliever, and I’m just glad now we have all these trails around here," Duff said. "I can have the opportunity from home to ride into work, ride around town, Oakland, Northside, wherever. It’s just been great.”
Bike to Work Day was started in 1956 by the League of American Cyclists, and it's gained in popularity in recent years as more people take to two wheels.
Friday’s Bike to Work Day in Pittsburgh kicked off “Car Free Fridays,” which will run through the summer. Commuters are urged to skip the car on Fridays and instead bike to work, take public transit or carpool.
Also during National Bike Week, Allegheny County officials announced the finished plan for a West End bike trail that will connect Pittsburgh to the Montour Trail through McKees Rocks and other communities.
On Friday, the final segment of the Great Allegheny Passage unofficially opened. That trail connects Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. An official opening celebration for that is slated for June.
