Best News for Cyclists
More bike lanes
Last year the best news for cyclists was new bike lanes. This year, guess what? More bike lanes! This summer, the city began installing protected bike lanes, the first of their kind in Pittsburgh. Eventually, the bike lanes will run along Penn Avenue, in the Strip District, and Saline Street, in Greenfield, as well as Schenley Park.
2nd: Bill Peduto
3rd: BikePGH
Best Peduto Administration Initiative
Protected Bike Lanes
Yes, automobile drivers, we can hear you wailing about the inconvenience of traffic changes on Penn Avenue, Downtown. But Peduto's support of cyclists — one part of his commitment to fitness and providing a more flexible transportation grid — has distinguished his term so far. If he cruises to re-election three years from now, it may be on a 10-speed.
2nd: Pothole fix
3rd: Support of Uber and Lyft
Best Living Pittsburgh Role Model
Mario Lemieux
Maybe some voters picked Mario in hopes that the active-duty Penguins would take his hard-driving example closer to heart — especially during the playoffs. But Lemieux's contributions to Pittsburgh go beyond hockey. His Mario Lemieux Foundation provides vital funding for cancer research and hospital facilities for sick children.
2nd: Rick Sebak
3rd: Charlie Batch
Best Media Personality
Rick Sebak
It's pretty hard to think about Rick Sebak and not think about Kennywood Park. For most of us, his 1988 documentary Kennywood Memories was our introduction to this one-of-a-kind local filmmaker-slash-celebrity. Since then, he's made nearly 40 films and has become one of the city's best-loved sons, drawing a crowd nearly everywhere he goes.
2nd: Sally Wiggin
3rd: Wendy Bell
Best Local Sports Moment
Pirates in the Playoffs
The Bucs' first playoff appearance in more than 20 years became one of the most talked-about stories in all of baseball, and the Oct. 1, 2013, Wild Card game against the Reds was possibly the most electric atmosphere in the history of Pittsburgh sports, rivaling previously untouchable Steelers levels of excitement.
2nd: Dan Bylsma getting fired
3rd: "Cueto" chant
Best Place to Have a Gay Wedding
Phipps Conservatory
1 Schenley Drive, Oakland
412-622-6914 or phipps.conservatory.org
Phipps Conservatory is probably one of the best places in the city to have any wedding. Not only are the event spaces beautiful, but you don't have to drive around town looking for great spots to take your pictures. Phipps offers three different locations for weddings, and even has several options to accommodate the reception.
2nd: Anywhere
3rd: Mount Washington
Best Local Place to Take a Selfie
Mount Washington
If we must selfie, let's head to Mount Washington, because a great background helps any selfie. (And confidentially, it makes it less about you.) From Mount Washington, the solo shutterbug can pose before the epic sweep of three rivers, two stadiums, one city center and numerous bridges. Click!
2nd: Point State Park, Downtown
3rd: PNC Park, North Side
