With thousands of cyclists gathering in Pittsburgh for this week’s Pro Walk/Pro Bike/Pro Place Conference, the Pittsburgh International Airport has installed an area where riders can disassemble and reassemble their bikes before and after their flights.
The assembly station has tools, wrenches and an air pump for cyclists who come and go from the airport on two wheels. State Sen. Matt Smith, who serves on the board of the Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA), said the station shows “an innovative approach to multimodal transportation.”
“We’re looking at various ways to bring additional travelers to the airport in a very efficient and effective manner,” Smith said.
The airport also reopened its access point to the Montour Trail, which had been under construction since early July. The link now has a new asphalt surface and guide rails.
The Montour Trail is part of the Great Allegheny Passage, which extends 300 miles to Washington, D.C.
“We certainly expect with the high use that the Montour Trail receives, that this will be a very popular route to get to and from Pittsburgh International Airport,” Smith said.
From the airport, the trail can be accessed at the end of the moving walkway opposite the Hyatt Hotel. The bike assembly area is next to Baggage Claim P.
“We think it provides not only a safe transportation link but it also reinforces Pittsburgh International Airport’s commitment to travelers and sustainable travel,” Smith said.
The bike assembly area will remain at the airport after the conference leaves town.
In the future, the ACAA plans to build a covered shelter at the airport for people to store their bikes in, according to Smith.
