Pittsburgh Walks is made up of residents, as well as organizations with constituencies that rely on walking to get around. Current supporting organizations include Bike Pittsburgh, Access Mob Pittsburgh, Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh, Riverlife, and Pittsburghers for Public Transit. They are a coalition of passionate individuals and representatives from various organizations with constituencies that rely on walking to get around. They advocate for infrastructure, programs and policies to improve safety, accessibility, and enjoyment for people who walk in the City of Pittsburgh including people with disabilities. They envision walking infrastructure that is accessible and enjoyable throughout all the 90 neighborhoods. Pittsburgh Walks is part of a network of walking and biking advocacy groups in the Pittsburgh area supported by BikePGH.
How To Join Pittsburgh’s Safe Sidewalks Crew
Pittsburgh Walks is organizing volunteers to assess the quality of sidewalks in Pittsburgh, and record findings via a mobile app developed by the City of Pittsburgh. The collected data helps the City of Pittsburgh identify where sidewalks need to be improved or built, prioritize pedestrian infrastructure projects, and make the case for funding. Meanwhile, the volunteers who collect the data are building a community to advocate for the infrastructure we need to thrive.
Anyone can join the Safe Sidewalks Crew! We need people power to collect a huge amount of data on Pittsburgh’s sidewalks. The goal is to have sidewalks that can be used by everyone, especially people with disabilities and older community members.
Follow these steps to join the crew:
- Get trained! Sign up for one of the upcoming trainings below, or contact us for training and access to the app.
- Take a walk.
- Use the app to start reporting issues.
Upcoming Events
Safe Sidewalks Crew Volunteer Training
- When: Thursday, June 25th, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
- Where: East End Food Co-op, 7516 Meade St, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
- At this training you will learn what makes a sidewalk safe and accessible, and we’ll show you how to use a simple web survey to share your observations about sidewalk quality. After you are trained, you can use the survey to report on sidewalk conditions in your neighborhood or anywhere else in Pittsburgh. You just need to bring a mobile device and your walking shoes.
- Register here: 06/25 Safe Sidewalks Crew Training Sign Up
Sidewalk Audit with Pittsburghers for Public Transit: Hazelwood
- When: Saturday, June 27th, 10:00am – 12:00pm
- Where: Hazelwood neighborhood
- Join Pittsburghers for Public Transit for a series of sidewalk audits focusing on neighborhoods with high rider bus stops and busy transit corridors. You can attend these events whether or not you’ve been trained to volunteer with the Safe Sidewalks Crew! We’ll give you a quick lesson on how to use the sidewalk survey, and you’ll get assigned several blocks to walk with a small group and collect data. You just need to bring a mobile device and your walking shoes.
- Register here: 06/27 Sidewalk Audit Sign Up
Sidewalk Audit with Pittsburghers for Public Transit: Hill District
- When: Saturday, August 29th, 10:00am – 12:00pm
- Where: Hill District
- Join Pittsburghers for Public Transit for a series of sidewalk audits focusing on neighborhoods with high rider bus stops and busy transit corridors. You can attend these events whether or not you’ve been trained to volunteer with the Safe Sidewalks Crew! We’ll give you a quick lesson on how to use the sidewalk survey, and you’ll get assigned several blocks to walk with a small group and collect data. You just need to bring a mobile device and your walking shoes.
- Register here: 08/29 Sidewalk Audit Sign Up
Accessibility Note: Most Safe Sidewalks Crew walks and sidewalk audits will include sections with sidewalks that have structural issues and obstructions and are out of compliance with ADA. But, of course, this work couldn’t exist without the insights of people with disabilities. When you register for a walk, feel free to let us know if you use a mobility device or have individual accessibility questions, and we will coordinate with you to find a feasible route and accessible meeting point.