A HAND TRICYCLE IS ONE OF FOUR ADAPTIVE BICYCLES BEING ROLLED OUT BY POGOH ON SEPT. 30. THE FLEET WILL GIVE RIDERS OF ALL ABILITIES THE CHANCE TO ENJOY THE CITY’S RIVERFRONT TRAILS. | PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Bicyclists of all abilities will soon be able to hit Pittsburgh’s riverfront trails with the launch of an adaptive program designed for their needs.

Adaptive POGOH, an extension of Pittsburgh’s bike share program, creates access to cycling for people with all abilities.

On Saturday, Sept. 30, the adaptive fleet will debut during a special demonstration at the End of Summer Roll Up in Westinghouse Park, 7051 Thomas Blvd., Point Breeze North.

The event, sponsored by Duquesne Light Co., will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes fitness classes, a community bike ride, free massages, live entertainment, free refreshments and food truck fare for purchase.

It is hosted by Bike Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club, the Ruach Bicycling Club, Steel Rite Rollers and PUMP.

Visit the website to register in advance.

Adaptive Fleet

The adaptive fleet will include a recumbent bicycle, a tandem bicycle, a front-loading cargo bicycle and a hand tricycle. 

“POGOH wants to make biking available to more people, and to do that we need to introduce different kinds of cycles,” said Erin Potts, director of marketing & community outreach at POGOH, in a press release. “While these cycles won’t be available at POGOH’s stations, we’ll be renting them along the trail to offer one-on-one demonstrations and assistance with fitting the cycles to each rider.”

Funding for the adaptive fleet was provided by an AARP Community Challenge grant, which also will pay for a storage container to house the cycles. However, POGOH is still determining where the cycles will be permanently located.

Until the location is announced, the cycles will be made available for testing at the End of Summer Roll Up and an Adaptive POGOH pop-up from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at the Color Park along the Southside Riverfront Trail, 1 S. Sixth St.

POGOH, a rebrand of Bike Pittsburgh’s Healthy Ride system, was launched in 2022. Bike sharing stations connect various neighborhoods in Pittsburgh that cyclists can navigate with the option of pedal and electric bikes.

The program began with more than 350 cycles and 38 docking stations. POGOH announced in April plans of expanding its network due to growing popularity.