Pittsburgh Bike Messengers Work to Counter Motorist-Irritating Behavior
This summer the Pittsburgh media has played host to a rash of anti-bicycle rhetoric, in editorials, letters to the editor and online comments. It’s only added insult to injury following the death of two area cyclists on the same stretch of road. So it’s rather a breath of fresh air to read a positive article in one of the city’s more conservative papers.
From the Tribune-Review:
Weaving through traffic, running red lights and generally racing around Downtown was once the norm for bike messengers, said Bill Westover, who has worked as a bike messenger in Pittsburgh for about 15 years.
“It’s much more professional now,” said Westover, 37, of Regent Square. “It’s encouraged — riding safely and not putting yourself in dangerous positions.”
During a recent day of work, Westover used his arm to signal turns, stopped at all red lights and tried to make eye contact with drivers.
He said that’s now the rule, not cutting off other vehicles.
sarahelizabethAugust 23, 2012 at 1:13 pm
oh man. good story. i miss stick boy and martin!!