Ride of Silence and Ghost Bike Installation, DuBois, PA
Dr. Albert Varacallo was killed July 8, 2010 by 28-year old Scott Sago while riding his bike. Sago made a left in front of Dr. Varacallo, throwing him off his bike, resulting in fatal injuries.
On Sunday, September 19, Dr Varacallo’s family gathered with cyclists in DuBois, PA for a ride of silence memorial ride and Ghost Bike installation.
Josh Karns, from PA Walks and Bikes shot some footage of the event and posted this video. From the PA Walks and Bikes site: I made the trek from Harrisburg to DuBois to show my solidarity to the bicyclists involved and to encourage them to speak out for complete streets and safer roads. While there, I shot some video of the event. The words of those involved tell the story of the day so much better than I can. Please watch the short video clip above for the whole story.
To join a conversation about the life of Dr. Varacallo and the event, please see the BikePGH Messageboard.
Our deepest sympathies go out to Dr. Varacallo’s family.
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The bike racks available on Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor line in California photo by Flickr user Payton Chung
Roll On/Roll Off service headed to the Pittsburgh to Washington DC Amtrak train?
Sunday, September 19, 2010
By Len Barcousky, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“Roll on/roll off” train service for riders using the bicycle trails between Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., is coming.
The question is exactly when.
The Allegheny Trail Alliance, a coalition of rails-to-trails support organizations, hopes service can begin as early as spring. Supporters want it to be available at all Amtrak stops along the passenger railroad’s Capitol Limited route between the two cities.
An Amtrak spokesman was not as confident about a 2011 start-up. “We are interested in doing this, but there are some basic operation issues that have to be settled,” said Steve Kulm, media relations director.
Existing Amtrak equipment has to be adapted for the safe storage of bicycles, he said. Decisions remain to be made on whether bikes would be carried in baggage cars or on racks in passenger cars. Train schedules likely would have to be amended to reflect the extra time needed to load and unload the bikes, he said.
Not a member of BikePGH?Join today!We need you to add your voice! Bike Pittsburgh works to protect cyclist’s rights and promote the vision of making Pittsburgh a safer and more enjoyable place to live and to ride. For more info, check out: www.bike-pgh.org/membership
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sums up much of what you need to know to ride to Washington DC
Laboring for more than an hour to get up and over the eastern Continental Divide, the Capital Limited twisted and turned as it made its way through the Allegheny Mountains outside Cumberland, Md.
The 300-mile route between Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., that took us seven days by bicycle would take about seven hours by train traveling in the opposite direction. Still, even a train pulled by a modern diesel locomotive has to struggle to get through the mountains that straddle the Maryland-Pennsylvania border. Those mountains are evidence of the challenges in riding the trail.
Since that time more of the trail between Pittsburgh and Washington has been opened, including a critical link east of Meyersdale in Somerset County. It takes cyclists over the Continental Divide and through the restored Big Savage Tunnel, providing the final off-road link between the Allegheny Passage and Canal Park trails.
Late summer seemed time for another shot at the whole journey.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
By Len Barcousky, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“Roll on/roll off” train service for riders using the bicycle trails between Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., is coming.
The question is exactly when.
The Allegheny Trail Alliance, a coalition of rails-to-trails support organizations, hopes service can begin as early as spring. Supporters want it to be available at all Amtrak stops along the passenger railroad’s Capitol Limited route between the two cities.
An Amtrak spokesman was not as confident about a 2011 start-up. “We are interested in doing this, but there are some basic operation issues that have to be settled,” said Steve Kulm, media relations director.
Sunday, Sept 19, 2010 in DuBois, PA (about a 2 hour drive from Pittsburgh)
Dr. Albert Varacallo was killed July 8, 2010 by 28yo Scott Sago while riding his bike. Sago made a left in front of Dr. Varacallo, throwing him off his bike, resulting in fatal injuries.
We are gathering as a community to honor Dr. Varacallo and to raise awareness for the need for safe roads and holding all road users accountable for their actions.
***** PITTSBURGH *****
…Location: Dippy the Dino 4100 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Meet at 9a to leave by 9:15a for Dubois.
If you can drive/carry bikes, please do so. If you cannot, meet and find a ride. There should be plenty of cars and rack space, and we should be able to consolidate down. There is plenty of parking in the area.
The drive is a little over two hours on Rt28. I will have printed directions available for those driving.
***** DU BOIS*****
Location: 1032 Chestnut Avenue Du Bois, PA 15801-2998
Meet at 11:30a to leave by 12p for a 4.5 mile “Ride of Silence” to the Ghost Bike Lock-Up site.
The ride will be slow paced (underr 12mph). Talking is discouraged (hand signals will be used). The group is to act respectful to all road users, but act like a funeral procession.
Riders are to wear a simple black arm band in honor of Dr. Varacallo, and red arm bands if they have been injured by a motorist.
HELMETS ARE REQUIRED.
****GHOST BIKE LOCKUP*****
Location: Maple Ave & 14th St Du Bois, PA 15801
The Ride of Silence should arrive at 12:30p and we will have a brief memorial ceremony for Dr. Varacallo.
From the site of the Ghost Bike, some riders are going on a recreational ride (details will be posts as soon as they are confirmed), and the group from Pittsburgh will ride back to their cars to drive back to the city.
Two fabulous Bike Pittsburgh volunteers have organized a bike tour of the 25 locations.
The ride will meet at 11:45 and leave at noon from the Bike Pittsburgh PARK(ing) Day Lounge (~410-ish S. Craig St in Oakland). This ride will be slow-paced and no one will be left behind, unless they would like to be. It will be suitable for new riders or people new to group rides, but perhaps not very young kids.
Group Ride and Sharing the Road Etiquette
If you’re new to group rides, here are a few easy rules of etiquette that make sharing the road easy for everyone:
How We Ride:
Stay in the right lane
Leave nothing and nobody behind
Stop at red lights
Ride straight and predictably
Communicate with other riders
And though there is going to be much to oooh and ahhhh over, the ride leaders wanted to make sure that people remember “when we get to a spot, we HAVE to get out of traffic”. So don’t stop right where you’re riding: “Either Be A Part of Moving Traffic or Move Off The Road – No Double PARKing”
Can’t make the whole ride? Stay in touch with Twitter!
If you don’t have time for a 16 mile ride in the middle of the day, why not join for a half hour? We’ll tweet upcoming locations using the hashtag #parkingdayPGH for updates and you can catch up for a segment of the ride.
Ride on over to visit the Bike Pittsburgh Lounge to see how we’ve transformed a parking space into a temporary lounge for PARK(ing) Day 2010. Whether you are going to work, on your coffee or lunch break, you cannot miss this!
What’s the Bike Pittsburgh Lounge? And what’s this “PARK(ing) Day?”
The Bike Pittsburgh Lounge is the parking spot we’ll be transforming Friday for PARK(ing) Day: the annual, one-day, global event where artists, activists, and citizens transform metered parking spots into temporary public parks.
Bike Pittsburgh staff and volunteers will be interviewing people for the very new Bike Pittsburgh Channel. We’d like to hear what you like about biking in Pittsburgh and what you would change if you suddenly had magic powers. Also, we’d just really like it if you stopped by to say hello. (We’ll only share your opinions if you want us to).
When?Where?How can I possibly take part in this wondrous affair?
Yes! Pittsburgh is coming out in full force to celebrate this creative event for the third year in a row. Over 30 of your favorite Pittsburgh organizations and businesses are creating temporary parks and public spaces in every corner of the city.
But I just want to ride my bicycle, bicycle, bicycle…
You’re in luck! Industrious and illustrious Bike Pittsburgh volunteers are orchestrating a lunch-time bike tour of all (or most) of the 25+ temporary parks. Meet at the Bike Pittsburgh Lounge for the ride at 11:45 to leave at noon, and watch this site for details as they unfold. We’ll share the Google Map with you with all the sites once it is complete.
Kelly Strayhorn Theater After Party Extravaganza, 5PM – 7PM
Get your kicks en route to the Kelly Strayhorn Theater for the PARK(ing) Day After Party Extravaganza! Eat, drink, and play games with Obscure Games Pittsburgh outside and in the theater. If you feel the spirit move, then move with the sweet sound of music that fills the theater. Put the breaks on life and enjoy yourself and the company of others at KST! (5941 Penn Ave, 15206 in East Liberty)
Over the Bar (OTB) Bicycle Café Late Night Extravaganza, 7PM – 12AM
Join the folks at OTB and check out their Reduced, Reused and Recycled Bike-Friendly Pedestrian Park. The park will be interactive and fun, featuring creative installations such as bike racks made from recycled bicycle parts, interactive Bikerators (bicycle-powered generators) from Kova Enterprises, as well as several other recycled installations and a bicycle/pedestrian safety educational component. From 5 pm to 12 am, OTB will be offering the Bike Pittsburgh burger, The Bicycle Advocate, for $5 and East End Brewing’s Pedal Pale Ale for $3. (2518 East Carson Street, 15203, in Pittsburgh’s South Side)
05. And join our Flickr group to see all the fantastic footage as it pours in and add your own
06. You’ll also want to check out the website of the group that started PARK(ing) Day all just a few years ago: Rebar Group
07. Like what we’re doing? Why not support our efforts by becoming a member of Bike Pittsburgh? None of our work would be possible without our dedicated membership, join today!
Market Square event also welcomes car free commuters this Friday
It’s hard to believe that we’re well into September, arguably the best bicycling month of the year! Time to start a light layering of some of your favorite bike clothes and accessories. Rachel from Free Ride just stopped by the office and with a twinkle in her eye she mentioned the good feeling a favorite scarf or sweater gives you when the temperature starts to head south of 70°.
We have been highlighting the South Side, in this our fifth edition of Car Free Fridays 2010. The South Side is one of Pittsburgh’s most eclectic and exciting neighborhoods. Historic preservationists and dedicated residents have worked hard to keep the neighborhood’s legacy in tact and at the same time prepare for its future. Carson Street is recognized as a “Great American Main Street” with adjacent residential areas composed of historic row houses, new townhouses, and ethnic churches. The neighborhood is also home to a high concentration of groups focused on environmental sustainability and stewardship. Characterized by narrow streets, walkable blocks, many locally-owned businesses, and riverfront trails, the South Side enjoys a new kind vibrancy in it’s 247th year.
On September 4th the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation lead off the month with one of their popular Car Free Walking tours. Organized in conjunction with Car Free Fridays these tours have been full every month. Be sure to sign up for the season finale in Lawrenceville.
Check out the following events taking place this week on the South Side to celebrate car free transportation!
Bike Commuting Forum – September 14 – 7:00pm – 8:30pm TONIGHT!
Where: WYEP 67 Bedford Square Pittsburgh PA 15203
The forum engages participants in a conversation that explores how comfort, convenience, and safety can help make your commute to and from work one of the best parts of your day.
South Side Bike Tour – September 17 – 6:30pm – 8:30pm Where: REI South Side Works
Explore the flats and slopes of the South Side including some of the wonderful views, history, and amenities of the neighborhood. The ride will end at OTB Bicycle Cafe on Carson Street. This is a no drop ride. It will regroup at key points along the route. Parts of it will be hilly. This is a loosely organized ride not sponsored or organized by anyone in particular.
Two places to sign up in person this Friday
Agree to go car free and receive the South Side property card full of discounts for South Side, Downtown, and Oakland businesses. Also win an entry for the Car Free Fridays September raffle. You can sign up online here or show up at one of the following locations Friday morning.
REI South Side Works – September 17 – 7:30am – 10:00am Hosted by REI and the South Side Local Development Company. If you ride your bike there enjoy a light breakfast courtesy of Bruegger’s Bagels and Big Dog Coffee.
Not a member of BikePGH?Join today!We need you to add your voice! Bike Pittsburgh works to protect cyclist’s rights and promote the vision of making Pittsburgh a safer and more enjoyable place to live and to ride. For more info, check out: www.bike-pgh.org/membership
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Friends of the Riverfront are proud to announce the completion of a new section of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail.
The completed structure was established as part of PennDOT’s Route 28 improvements and offers
users a dedicated trail along the Allegheny Riverfront connecting the City of Pittsburgh and
Borough of Millvale. Trail users and members of the public are encouraged to join the celebration
scheduled on Friday, September 17th at 11:00 am on the Trail accessible from the Millvale
Riverfront Park.
A reception will follow where food and beverage will be provided under the
pavilion located in the Millvale Riverfront Park at 90 Riverfront Dr. Millvale, PA 15209.
Not a member of BikePGH?Join today!We need you to add your voice! Bike Pittsburgh works to protect cyclist’s rights and promote the vision of making Pittsburgh a safer and more enjoyable place to live and to ride. For more info, check out: www.bike-pgh.org/membership
DA won’t charge teen in Indiana Township bike fatality
By Bobby Kerlik
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, September 11, 2010
A teenage driver who police said struck and killed a Hampton bicyclist because he was distracted by his flip-flops will not face criminal charges, Allegheny County prosecutors said Friday.
The then-17-year-old, who was on his way to Fox Chapel High School, struck and killed Donald Parker, 52, with a pickup truck about 7 a.m. May 27 along Harts Run Road in Indiana Township. The crash occurred when the boy looked away because his flip-flop became tangled in the pedal, and he veered off the road, said police and prosecutors.
Parker died at UPMC Presbyterian in Oakland.
“We would not be able to sustain our burden based on the facts,” said Mike Manko, a spokesman for District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr.
Prosecutors said the driver, now 18, could face a summary offense of careless driving with unintentional death.
BikePGH just printed 15,000 revised copies of our popular Bike Commuting 101 guide. The guide provides the basis for a conversation that explores how comfort, convenience, and safety can help make your commute to and from work one of the best parts of your day. It’s an opportunity to learn from others and also share some of your own personal experience about getting around by bike.
This is a fluid conversation informed by the participants. Any level of bicyclists and new riders are encouraged to join us. This is all part of the series of events taking place this month on the South Side to celebrate and inspire Car Free Fridays!
The WYEP Community Broadcast Center is located at 67 Bedford Square Pittsburgh PA 15203.
Hope to see you there!
Not a member of BikePGH?Join today!We need you to add your voice! Bike Pittsburgh works to protect cyclist’s rights and promote the vision of making Pittsburgh a safer and more enjoyable place to live and to ride. For more info, check out: www.bike-pgh.org/membership
This is a repost from the PA Walks and Bikes blog. PA Walks and Bikes is a new statewide bicycle and pedestrian advocacy group, working on the ground in Harrisburg to make Pennsylvania a better place to live and ride.
Let’s send a clear message to the Pennsylvania Senate that we want a strong bill that applies across the board, and let’s make it a primary offense. This will make our roads safer for all users, especially pedestrians and bicyclists.
Not a member of BikePGH?Join today!We need you to add your voice! Bike Pittsburgh works to protect cyclist’s rights and promote the vision of making Pittsburgh a safer and more enjoyable place to live and to ride. For more info, check out: www.bike-pgh.org/membership
