Creative advocates, crazy hills, and a bright future: cycling in Pittsburgh is vibrant.
For many cyclists, the Steel City — with narrow streets, confusing intersections, steep hills, and a patchwork of dedicated bike lanes — is a challenging endeavor. But it has made significant strides in the last two decades. Thanks to avid organizations like BikePGH, it’s now a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community with a plucky creativity. (Just check out the 25 unique artistic bike racks in the Cultural District. Or stop into Bicycle Heaven, known as the world’s largest bike museum and shop.)
If downtown seems tricky, the outskirts of Pittsburgh are downright amazing — there are 220 miles of single- and doubletrack mountain biking trails within a 30-mile radius, and the 150-mile, crushed-limestone Great Allegheny Passage (the GAP Trail) reaches all the way to Maryland.
Want something closer? The paved Montour Trail makes a sweeping “C” around town, and parks like Frick, Schenley, and Highland all have tranquil and shaded pathways. Hone your skills at the new Wheel Mill, an 80,000-square-foot indoor bike park in Homewood West. If gravel’s your thing, try your hand at the Bavington 50, a classic loop in Hillman State Park. Bike PGH organizes the largest bike ride in Pennsylvania, PedalPGH, with distances ranging from 10 to 62 miles.