Letter to the editor: Pittsburgh losing valuable parking to bike lanes

It is disappointing that the mayor of Pittsburgh has not yet realized how important a vibrant shopping selection of stores is to the growth and vitality of the city. It is a challenge to overcome the loss of the major department stores, and with his continuous adding of more bike lanes, valuable and convenient parking places are eliminated.

The Cultural District in Downtown is one area where this has happened, and it’s especially confusing for out-of-towners. The parking areas around Phipps Conservatory and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Oakland have been drastically reduced, and many of the bicyclists speed through listening to music and ignoring the rules of the road that apply to them as well as automobile drivers.

An example of “overkill” and useless provision of bike lanes is on Third Avenue near Stanwix Street. Talking to several people over the years, including officials at St. Mary of Mercy Catholic Church, I’ve learned that few bicyclists use this street. Convenient parking spaces, especially for the elderly, have been eliminated

What about the beautiful Christmas display at PPG? Close, convenient parking has been eliminated there as well.

Ken Pintwala

Carnegie