route: 86b inbound

Below is the complaint I sent to PAT and to their CEO Stephen Bland.

I was traveling on my bicycle at around 15-20mph passing through the intersection at Penn and 31st. I was in the middle of the right lane preparing to clear the intersection and ride on the bike friendly section of Penn Ave. A bus approached from behind, honked their horn, started to change lanes and pass me. If it would have ended there I wouldn’t be sending this complaint.

Instead of completing the pass, the driver began to turn into the right lane while I was still in it. I could have reached out and touched the bus without extending my arm he was so close. For the next three blocks I kept my same speed and kept up with the bus. Not sure what the hurry was that he had to pass me like that and risk my life.

This isn’t the first complaint I have filed like this. A very similar incident occurred on Liberty Ave on May 21st of last year. I ride the bus regularly and I feel that incidents like this need reported and dealt with.

This is the second complaint I have submitted like this. In fact I searched my email and replied to Mr. Bland using the same email from last year and added my new complaint. He responded and said he would look into it.

This is what I was greeted with when I attempted to watch a march headed downtown. Shortly there after the peaceful gathering was ruled an “unlawful assembly” and the police used intimidation techniques including an LRAD to chase the demonstrators away.

These law enforcement officers were here to protect and to serve their fellow citizens, but instead they intimidated and arrested people who were simply expressing their discontent with the G20.

This was happening on the other side of the police line I was behind after the police confronted the march.

I don’t know what would have happened had they allowed the march to continue, but this show of police intimidation continued through the night as a result. What started as a peaceful march escalated to students being arrested in Oakland, again for unlawful assembly and refusal to disperse.

Once back in the office I felt nauseated and thought I was just dehydrated. After some discussion with co-workers I believe that my nasea was caused by the LRAD device. The voice is terrifyingly calm and devoid of any emotion. I hope I never hear it again.

Later on that evening on my commute home I had a choice to make. I could either attempt to ride my normal route home which was blocked off by the police or ride through downtown. I chose to ride through downtown.

I headed towards downtown on Penn and talked with another cyclist on the way who was headed back to the South Hills. The detour required I cross the 16th street bridge and ride the trail to the 6th street bridge into downtown. The National Guard officers along the way were friendly and helpful.

Once downtown I was greeted with a ghost town.

I chatted with Ross for a few minutes at Liberty and Forbes where there was a line of busses held up because of the motorcades planning on leaving the city. He compared the police state in Pittsburgh to what it must be like in Iraq or Afghanistan.

A bus driver I talked with briefly said she had no idea how long she would be there. The busses on Boulevard of the Allies were stacked two across as far down as I could see.

The rest of my ride home was nice and calmly paced. Later that night I went to see Drugdealer at Howlers in Bloomfield, where only a couple hours earlier the protesters were being told to disperse by the police.

What I experienced that day was like nothing else I have ever experienced.

From what I understand, anyone driving a car in the streets is to follow the rules of the road — stop at red lights, no turn on red, yield, etc.

I see these guys/ladies running red lights, not even stopping, breaking the law. It’s like they do whatever they want, and when they hit someone it’s automatically the other persons fault for being in their way!

I don’t understand how you’re supposed to share the road with a person in a car going 55 mph in a 35 mph zone. It’s idiotic, and you should not be able to drive a on the street if you can’t follow the law and drive safely.

It’s a danger to other drivers, pedestrians and themselves if they can’t just slow down for five seconds of their day.

I am sorry that I touched your car. I really am. You see, I was trying so hard to stay out of the way of the cars and busses to the left of me doing 35 mph that I forgot to also pay attention to what was coming from behind me. When you passed me within inches of my handlebar you scared me and I acted out by slapping the back of your car. A love tap really. Why you couldn’t wait the five seconds for me to clear the intersection and reach the bike lane is irrelevant. I acted out and I am sorry.

When you abandoned your turn, cut off a lane of traffic, stopped in front of me and got out of your car I realized the mistake I made. But again that is irrelevant and I am sorry.

I learned my lesson. You taught me good.

Next time I will take up the entire lane rather than just the portion I was taking up so you can’t pass me so closely and risk my life in doing so.

All sarcasm aside I am honestly upset over my behavior.

My first bus ride since working downtown went really well. We live a block from the busway and the EBA runs just about every 10 minutes and is a fast trip to Herron Ave. and Liberty. From there the walk is about 10 minutes. Very fast trip.

I only wish PAT had a pay as you go pass, not one that expired weekly or monthly. Once the weather warms up to above 20 degrees again I hope to be on my bike at least three days a week again, maybe riding the bus the other days.

Here’s why.

• It keeps me in shape
• It relieves stress
• It saves me money
• It saves wear and tear on my car
• It’s good for the environment