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Friday, 03 June 2011 12:38

Written by Diana Nelson Jones

I often imagine a world in which the only motor vehicles on the road are ambulances, trolleys and/or buses, special needs cars and delivery trucks — all powered without fossil fuels. I can see most of us walking, bicycling, driving golf carts or, when merited, riding in a sedan chair on the backs of brawny studs.

And there’s a special provision in my dream for water taxis, of course.

To be further inspired, I plan to attend Citylab’s panel at 6.30p on June 13 at the New Hazlett Theater in Allegheny Center, at which Gil Peñalosa, executive director of 8-80 Cities and a founder of the famous Bogotá, Colombia Ciclovia event, will speak.

I get Citylab’s notices, and the one for this event came my way recently, describing Señor Peñalosa (below left) as “an internationally renowned livable city expert dedicated to the transformation of cities into places where people can walk, bike, access public transit and visit vibrant parks and public places. What does 8-80 Cities stand for? Cities which are accessible to everyone, from 8 to 80 years old.”

If I live to 81, I hope I will still be included, but I guess you have to pick a cut-off age.

The teaser continues:

“Have you ever thought you’d like to ride your bike to work, but it seems too dangerous? Do you wonder what life would be like if your children could walk to school, and you wouldn’t have to drive them? Do you admire cities like New York, with its miles of city bike lanes, or Paris, with its 20,000 bikes to rent? Do you hate the fact that you need to drive your bike to a good trail? Would you like to live in a city that is built for people, not cars?

The event is free, but you should RSVP, and you can donate to Citylab. Here and here are the sites to learn more about the non-profit that was founded by Eve Picker, an architect, planner, instructor and developer who by now is almost an iconic figure in helping to lead Pittsburgh’s trend toward well-planned city living.

A panel of local advocates will field questions particular to Pittsburgh. They include Scott Bricker, executive director of Bike Pittsurgh; Lynn Heckman, assistant director of Transportation Initiatives, Allegheny County Economic Development; Patrick Roberts, principal transportation planner for the City of Pittsburgh, and Darija Wiswell with Allegheny County’s Health Department.

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