Campus Bike Week returns next week with events at Pitt, including fun rides, a bike festival and confident cycling classes.

Right now, biking (and walking) are a bit of a challenge in central Oakland because of all the construction, particularly on Fifth Avenue. BikePGH lists Fifth from Craft Avenue to South Neville Street and Forbes Avenue from Craft to Schenley Drive as “cautionary bike routes.”

A new protect lane was recently completed along Schenley Plaza on Forbes. Construction on Fifth of the infrastructure for a new Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus rapid transit line has traffic limited to two lanes in many spots. Once the project is completed, the outbound, contraflow bus lane will be converted into a two-way bike lane.

But none of that is going to stop the annual Campus Bike Week, which gets started with a 11.8-mile Fun Ride at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 7, from the Carnegie Library POGOH station to the Point and back. No bike? No problem. Activate your POGOH account for free 30-minute POGOH bike share rides. This ride is led by Complete Streets at Pitt, contact them with questions. View the route here.

The week brings together local bike organizations, new and veteran bikers and bike educators for activities that highlight the benefits of biking.

Schedule of events

Sept. 8: Campus Bike Week Kickoff Festival, Pitt Bike Cave, Posvar Plaza, 10 a.m. to noon. Enter a raffle to win a brand-new bike, lock and helmet from Pepsi, Pitt Eats, Pitt Mobility and the Pitt Bike Cave. Connect with biking-related student clubs and Pittsburgh-based organizations. Share thoughts on campus bike infrastructure with Pitt’s Office of Planning, Design and Construction. Learn safety tips from Pitt Police, and try out Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s demo bus bike rack. Plus, activate your POGOH benefit and explore how to use bike share bikes from POGOH.

Sept. 9: Confident City Cycling Class, Pitt Bike Cave, 4 to 7 p.m. The Pitt Bike Cave and BikePGH are partnering to offer a free three-hour Confident City Cycling Class to provide all the skills and knowledge to safely commute in Pittsburgh. This on-the-bike class covers basic and advanced cycling skills, best practices for solo and group riding, and includes a culminating group ride that utilizes the best of local bicycle infrastructure. All participants must wear a helmet and know how to ride a bicycle. No bike or helmet? No problem! Helmets and free POGOH bike rentals are available for the duration of class! Registration required. Sign up here.

Sept. 10

Bike Pitt Resource Fair @ Public Market, William Pitt Union Lawn, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Chat with Pitt departments, student organizations, and POGOH Bike Share to learn more about biking resources at Pitt. Enter a raffle to win a new bike, lock and helmet. Plus, sign up for bike classes happening throughout the fall.

Nature in Action Bike Ride: Starting at Pitt Bike Cave, noon to 1 p.m. Join Campus Recreation and the University Counseling Center for a mindful bike ride through the Oakland neighborhood. This is part of the Natural Connections events offered through Campus Recreation. With all these events, the University Counseling Center staff will be available to debrief, connect or ask questions. Registration required. Sign up here.  

BikePGH Operation Illumination: Schenley Plaza, 5 to 7 p.m. Operation Illumination is BikePGH’s initiative to install free front and rear bicycle light sets for riders with unlit bikes. Stop by with your unlit bike to receive free lights as well as bike guides and maps while supplies last.

Sept. 11: Confident City Cycling Class, Pitt Bike Cave, 4 to 7 p.m. See above. Registration required. Sign up here.

Sept. 12: Friday Fun Ride, 4 p.m. from the Pitt Bike Cave. Wrap up Campus Bike Week with a leisurely social ride led by Pitt Bike Cave student mechanics. Bring your own bike or check out a POGOH bike. Registration required. Sign up here.