August 2024 newsletter
[Move Lebo @ First Fridays!]
SAFER STREETS FOR PEOPLE POWERED MOBILITY
We’d like to start by saying a warm hello to all of our new subscribers! It’s wonderful to have you here!
REPORT! CLOSE CALLS
We Want Your "Close Call" Stories!
Most of us and our loved ones have had a "close call" on a Mt. Lebanon street, intersection or sidewalk that raised our blood pressure and made us ask, "why can't we do this better?!" No one wants a close call or a near miss to become an actual statistic. We want YOU to share your "close call" stories on the Move Lebo Report! page. After collecting and organizing these stories, Move Lebo plans to use this information to direct our advocacy work and brainstorm strategies to address these issues. We want to put neighbors in contact with neighbors so together you can rally for change. We also want to encourage and support story submitters to attend upcoming Mt. Lebanon Commission and Mobility Board meetings to share experiences and proposed solutions. We need our elected officials to know that there are way too many "close calls" in our neighborhood and action is needed NOW!
New! E-BIKE GROUP RIDE
Saturday, September 21st / 9:30am / starting at Needle and Bean
Calling all e-bikes! Have an e-bike and want to learn the best/safest routes to get around your neighborhood? Or maybe you have questions about how to make e-biking part of your daily routine. This meetup was inspired by the e-bike panel discussion we hosted earlier in the summer. The goal is to build community and help riders gain the confidence and knowledge needed for road riding. The ride will be led by two avid e-bike riders and Move Lebo members, Beth & Morgan. The route will connect riders to three Mt. Lebanon business districts, using mostly quiet, residential roads. The ride is designed for beginners and will move at a leisurely pace, originating and ending at Needle and Bean. No experience required. We’ll be there to help with the basics and to unload bikes, etc. or get a couple laps in prior to the start. The ride will last approximately 30 minutes. We’ll top off the ride with some of the best coffee in town while we chat about future rides. This ride is open to riders without e-bikes but please note we will be navigating a number of hills.
POINTS OF INTEREST:
3 Business Districts
4 Schools
Coffee Shops/Restaurants
Library
Rec Center/Pool
RUNLebo
On your mark, get set, go! RUNLebo is quickly gaining speed as runners and walkers take on the challenge of conquering all 86 miles of road in Mt. Lebanon. In fact, the group has caught the attention of local news stations. Recently, the creator of RUNLebo, Marty Bacik, was interviewed by KDKA and featured on the evening news. Check out the story here! Add your name to the RUNLebo leaderboard today! There’s no time limit for completion and walkers are welcome to take on the challenge. Join the group Friday mornings or run on your own time. All fitness levels welcome. Questions? Send us an email!
Lookin’ good, RUNLebo! & how about that traffic circle?!
SIDEWALK CLEANUP
Saturday, September 14 / 9:30am -11:00am / Meet @ MedExpress Urgent Care on Washington Road near Dunkin’
Join Move Lebo as we move together & forward to create a stronger, more connected community. We’ll be picking up trash along Washington Road, meeting @ the Medexpress Urgent Care on Washington Road near Dunkin’ and work our way up from there. We’ll end the cleanup with a cool down over drinks at a spot Uptown where we can compare stories about the most outlandish things we discovered. The municipality will provide supplies based on the number of people in attendance, so please give us a heads up if you are able to attend.
Do you know of a sidewalk in need of some TLC? Let us know so we can add it to our clean-up list!
DESIGN ELEMENTS: Road Diets
Ever wondered why some streets feel like racetracks? The secret may be in the lane width! A lot of Mt. Lebanon's roads are wider than they need to be, encouraging high speeds. But there's a solution: road diets. This traffic calming strategy slims down streets, making them safer and more efficient. Want to learn how it works and how it could transform your neighborhood? Click here to find out! Get the highlights in this 2-minute video from the FHWA.
PECHAKUCHA NIGHT - Rescheduled!
Oktoberfest meet PechaKucha! We’ve put together a Move Lebo PechaKucha* night! Vibes will be backyard hang with projector and some snacks and Oktoberfest bevvies. This will be an informal and fun way to get to know your fellow Move Lebo members and their perspective or story when it comes to Safe Streets for People Powered Mobility! It's also a great way to get some thoughts down on paper and hopefully aid in speaking to those outside our organization about what we stand for. (A PK is about the same length as public comment at a commission meeting.) That said, the primary goal is to hang out and be wowed by some fun & interesting stories!
When: Saturday, September 21st 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Where: RSVP for address BYOS(nacks) & lawn chair
What: 6-8 speakers with an intermission. Looking for volunteers to do a 5-min PK presentation. Interested in presenting? Send us an email.
*The PechaKucha 20x20 presentation format is a slide show of 20 images, each auto-advancing after 20 seconds. It’s non-stop and you've got 400 seconds to tell your story, with visuals guiding the way. PechaKucha was created in Japan in 2003 by renowned architects, Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham. The word “PechaKucha” is Japanese for “chit chat.”
PACK THE ROOM
The bids for the joint Mt. Lebanon-Dormont Active Transportation Plan should be in and discussions are planned to choose the consulting firm that will be developing it. Join MoveLebo at the September 24th Commission Meeting (Tuesday) to show that community support is still strong and a well-connected network for walking and biking is essential for a safe, comfortable experience. Please RSVP here so we can send you some talking points and reminders. Bring a friend!
If you are unable to make it but want to lend your support, you can find and email your commissioner using this link.
CALL TO ACTION
Take the opportunity to weigh in on Dormont's Comprehensive Plan. There's an opportunity to say you are from a neighboring community and help advocate for safer streets for people powered mobility. Provide your feedback here.
GET INVOLVED
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO GET INVOLVED TODAY?
- Tell your family and friends about Move Lebo - share this newsletter.
- Join in the convo on Slack.
- Report! a safety issue or concern here!
- Use the power of your words - speak at an upcoming Commissioners Meeting and/or Mobility Board meeting.
- Sign up for RunLebo!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
RUNLEBO MEET UP:
Fridays @ 7AM
Sign up for meet up details!
MONTHLY MOVE LEBO GENERAL MEETING:
Sunday, September 8th
10am @ Needle and Bean [Open to anyone interested in learning more!]
SIDEWALK CLEANUP:
Saturday, September 14th
9:30am @ MedExpress Urgent Care on Washington Road near Dunkin’
MONTHLY HAPPY HOUR:
Thursday, September 19th
5pm - 7pm @ East End Brewing
E-BIKE GROUP RIDE MEET UP:
Saturday, September 21st
9:30am @ Needle and Bean RSVP here
PECHAKUCHA NIGHT:
Saturday, September 21st
7pm - 9pm RSVP for location address
Together and Forward
@movelebo | movelebo@gmail.com | www.movelebo.com