Six students crossing the road at a crosswalk
Features & Articles

Walking, biking or driving on campus? Safety first!

Tags
  • Our City/Our Campus

This article from the archives was updated Aug. 11, 2023.

As Pitt welcomes thousands of students, faculty and staff to campus for the fall semester, traveling safely through Pittsburgh has never been more important. Keep these tips top of mind as you’re getting to and from classes, study spaces, events and meetings this year.

The Pitt Mobility site is your go-to source for resources on fare-free public transportation, shuttle services and other methods of commuting to, from and around the University.

Pedestrians

The University of Pittsburgh Police Department offers great tips to stay safe as you travel around Pitt’s bustling campus — or anywhere — as a pedestrian.

Always walk on sidewalks, and when they are not available, walk facing oncoming traffic while staying as far away from the road as possible.

Given the mix of buses, bikes and other vehicles in Oakland, follow pedestrian walk signals at traffic lights and stay off electronic devices to remain focused on vehicles and others around you. If you’re walking near moving or stopped motor vehicles, never assume a driver sees you and be sure to make eye contact prior to crossing the street.

Hundreds of pedestrians use the mid-block crosswalk on Bigelow Boulevard to cross vehicle and bike lanes daily, so pay extra attention as you use the high-traffic area.

Additionally, remember to look both ways on Fifth Avenue — though it is a one-way street for cars, buses go against traffic on this thoroughfare.

Multiple construction projects are underway on the Pittsburgh campus. Pedestrian safety is especially important in these active construction site areas:

  • Hillside area: The upper campus hillside is undergoing a major transformation, taking a fully integrated development approach to provide a new Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, an arena and sports performance center, pedestrian walkways, outdoor gathering spaces, sustainable stormwater management system, sustainable landscaping and more. Sidewalk closures are noted in the area.
  • Hillman Library: The final phase of renovations will continue through January 2025 to upgrade the ground floor, including new restrooms, elevators and infrastructure improvements. During the renovation, Forbes Avenue and Schenley Drive sidewalks will be closed, with pedestrian detour signs posted to guide those traversing this part of campus. Additionally, the bike path behind the library will be detoured to temporary ramps between Hillman Library and Posvar Hall.

Review University construction impacts on mobility. For additional impacts due to City of Pittsburgh, UPMC or other area construction projects, please visit the Oakland Transportation Management Association Construction Resource Map.

Motorists and shared commuting

As a motorist, it is up to you to ensure street safety for other drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and other vehicles. Do your part by maintaining a three-second following distance for safe reaction to other vehicles. Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or entering crosswalk areas, yielding to pedestrians who have the right of way. If you become upset while driving, take time to calm down — remember that the assault of a person or vehicle because of a traffic incident is a criminal offense punishable by law. Parking legally is also important to being a good neighbor and ensuring sidewalks are accessible to all residents. 

Finally, be extra cautious when backing up or opening your vehicle door to ensure pedestrians or bicyclists are not in your path.

feet on the sidewalk

Bicyclists

If you are riding to or around campus, register your bike for free today to make it easier for authorities to locate damaged or stolen bikes if needed. The Pitt Mobility team also has resources, tips and Pennsylvania bicycle laws to stay safe alongside motorists and pedestrians. Watch Pittwire in the coming weeks for more biking tips, and mark your calendar for the upcoming Bike to Campus Week, which begins Sept. 11.

Unlimited 30-minute bike rides are also available through the University’s POGOH bikeshare program.

More resources

There are several groups on campus who are working to make sure everyone is safe on the streets. Pitt Police leads the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee, bringing together campus and community leaders in a shared commitment to transportation safety throughout Oakland. Pitt Sustainability leads the Active Mobility Committee on campus, and the Office of Engagement and Community Affairs continues to partner with the City of Pittsburgh on the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan implementation.

Staff Council has also hosted Safety Crawls around Oakland designed to highlight safety concerns to University staff and administration. The University will also offer Confident Cycling courses this semester, helping Pitt community members navigate Oakland on bike and sharing bike safety tips.

We must all do our part to share the road and stay safe. To report a concern, contact the Pitt Concern Connection. For traffic violations and emergencies, contact Pitt Police at 412-624-2121. Pitt students, faculty, and staff can also report safety concerns through the Rave Guardian app.

Learn more pedestrian and driving safety tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.