March 2026 Newsletter
Talk about March madness! The weather came in like a lion and is going out as… TBD. We hope you’ve been able to make the most of the sunny days and enjoy a walk, run or bike ride around the neighborhood. Keep an eye on our event calendar as we have some upcoming walk, run and bike events!
Celebrating Community
As an advocacy organization working for safer streets, designed for people, it often feels like an uphill battle. It’s hard to feel like you’re “winning” when so often you hear NO to your ideas/suggestions/requests. However, when you measure success through volunteer hours and community engagement we hit the jackpot. There are so many folks in our community that are willing to roll up their sleeves and get stuff done and for you we are so very grateful! You are why our organization exists. At our most recent trash cleanup, a group of volunteers tackled the area around the high school pedestrian walkway. A huge amount of trash was collected, including an aluminum can that may have been there since the Class of 1960. Walking through this area feels so. much. better!! Together, we are making our community a better place and that is what we call success!
Let’s Get Things Growing
We’re mixing things up! In the spirit of making our community more walkable, we’re spreading some love through two carefully curated seed mixes. The Mt. Lebanon Streetside Mix is a special mixture of Western PA natives, curated by Move Lebo for Mt. Lebanon. These plants are selected to withstand deer, salt, and dry heat once established - making them the perfect roadside mix (or any other sunny spot, really). A restrained palette of 4 species creates repetition and an intentional look. These species top out around 36 inches max to maintain visibility for pedestrians. Tight on space? We’ve got you covered. The Sidewalk Crack Mix is perfect for tiny spaces (see image below). This Sidewalk Crack Mix contains annuals which can grow in even the smallest of spaces - adding some beauty to your sidewalk or paved area. As with our perennial mix, these plants boast deer resistance. Simply scoop out the old dirt from the crack and put some fresh potting soil in. Spread seeds very sparsely - a handful of the mix contains hundreds of seeds. Works like a charm to create a division between you and the street. And who knows, it may even slow down traffic as folks stop to smell the flowers. These seed mixes will be available at our tent during the Earth Day celebration on April 26 - stop by and pick one up!
Sidewalk crack flowers in bloom - get your seed mix pack at our tent during the Earth Day Celebration.
Earth Day Celebration
April 26th | 11am - 3pm @ Mt. Lebanon Main PArk
Move Lebo is partnering with Lebo Green to bring you another fantastic Earth Day celebration. In addition, we’re proud to continue our partnership with BikePGH in order to host another Learn to Ride Bike Course, which has quickly become a fan favorite! While the course is BYOB(bike), we’ll also have a few balance bikes and pedal bikes to use. Helmets are required for all riders. A very special thank you to BikePGHfor their continued support & for lending us bikes and supplies!
Along with the bike course, be sure to stop by our tent and visit the creation station where kids can create DIY bike streamers. Help spread the word to your family and friends. This event is a wonderful opportunity for kids to enjoy a safe, car-free riding experience!
Planning to ride your bike to Earth Day? Our bike valet has got you covered! Look for our bike valet racks in the upper parking lot near the bike course.
Interested in volunteering at Earth Day with Move Lebo? Drop us a line! We are looking for help with the bike course and our creation station.
Bike valet & DIY creation station - stop by and say hi & pick up your seed mix!
Learn to ride bike course - BYOB(bike) or ride one of our balance bikes!
WE’VE ADOPTED A HIGHWAY
Exciting news - we’ve adopted a highway! We wanted to make our love of safe, clean walking routes official, so we adopted Castle Shannon Blvd. We’ll be tending to the section from the Scott Rd intersection (think Needle and Bean) to the intersection with Anawanda.
Come and check it out! We’re planning a sidewalk cleanup for this stretch on April 19th from 9:30am - 11am. We’ll supply the trash grabbers and bags, just bring yourself. We’ll start strong and fuel up at Needle and Bean then head out from there.
Introducing New Board Members
We’re thrilled to introduce our two new board members, Jennica and Ashley. Each brings a unique skill set and enthusiasm for safer streets, designed for people. We are fortunate to have an incredibly talented and dedicated board, these are the folks that make the magic happen both on the street and behind the scenes.
JENNICA BELLANCA
Jennica has been a Mt. Lebanon resident for five years and is dedicated to helping the municipality evolve into a safer, more connected community where everyone can thrive. As a human factors engineer specializing in health and safety, Jennica brings a professional passion for "simple solutions," designing environments that naturally work better for the people using them.
A parent of four, Jennica is frequently out exploring Lebo’s streets and parks. Whether logging miles with the Move Lebo Run Club or navigating school routes with their children, Jennica is a firm believer that a walkable, accessible community is the foundation of a vibrant local culture. By serving on the board, Jennica aims to champion infrastructure improvements from improving visibility, to connecting sidewalks, to integrating technology, that make our neighborhood safer for movers of all ages and types.
ASHLEY STEWART
Ashley is an instructional designer at the University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences IT. Her passion for learning and intentional planning carries over to urban design, and she is eager to engage in educational outreach to build more walkable communities.
Born and raised in West Virginia, Ashley studied English and secondary education then moved to Spain to teach for two years, during which she got around just fine without a car. Since that experience, she has been dedicated to making streets safer. After teaching public middle school in West Virginia for eight years and earning her doctorate in instructional design, she moved to Mt. Lebanon with her family in 2020. She has two children in the school system, and her vision is for every child in the district to feel safe on their way to and from school.
A proud Appalachian, Ashley loves to hike, fly fish, camp, and read anything about the region's culture and history. She also enjoys native gardening, knitting, thrifting, and writing fiction.
cALL TO ACTION: Allegheny County Safety Action Plan
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), along with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Allegheny County, and the City of Pittsburgh, are furthering their commitment to ending traffic deaths and serious injuries on roads within Allegheny County through a new safety initiative called Vision Zero.
Vision Zero is based on the Safe System Approach, which follows several guiding principles to provide a holistic safety approach for all forms of transportation. Vision Zero incorporates proactive, preventative improvements to roadway design and focuses on enhancing safety for all road users.
The draft Safety Action Plan is ready for review and open for feedback. Please take a moment to check it out.
Walk Lebo
April 18th | 10am - 11:30am | Meet @ corner of Beverly & Overlook
Mark your calendar! Walk Lebo is back in action! The first walk of the season is on Saturday, April 18th at 10am. The meeting location will be at the corner of Beverly & Overlook on the side opposite Scoops.
Join Move Lebo member, Dave, as he leads a moderate-paced walk through several neighborhoods, including Parker Gardens, Virginia Manor, Foxland, and Willow Terrace. Walk Lebo will meet monthly. Locations will change each month and will highlight pedestrian connections between neighborhoods, recent and planned transportation improvements, as well as some historical points of interest along the way. Dave joins us from Portland, OR where he led neighborhood walks as part of a city program. We’re excited to welcome Dave and his leadership experience to Move Lebo! Save the date and join Dave on April 18th to learn some fun new facts about our community. Each walk will end with an optional gathering at a nearby coffee shop. More details here.
E-BIKE GROUP RIDE
Saturday, May 9 | 10am @ 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. 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.
100 Years of Lincoln Celebration:
Saturday, April 11th | 1pm - 4pm @ Ralston Place
Stop by and enjoy a car free space in front of Lincoln Elementary. Move Lebo will be there with a bike valet and tent - stop by and say hello!
Move Lebo is a grassroots organization, independent of the municipality.
We rely on the generosity of our neighbors to fund our work. Become a member today!
Together we can make Mt. Lebanon a more connected community that prioritizes pedestrian safety and people-centered design.
Please help spread the word - share this newsletter with folks that might be interested in the work we’re doing!
GET INVOLVED
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO GET INVOLVED TODAY?
Sign up to collaborate with us on our 2026 Priorities!
BECOME A MEMBER! Your support enables Move Lebo to develop educational programs, host community events & purchase critical safety supplies for sidewalk cleanups and group activities.
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!
Register for Move Lebo Book Club
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Fridays @ 7am
Sign up for meet up details!
100 Years of Lincoln Celebration:
Saturday, April 11th
1pm - 4pm @ Ralston Place
Stop by and enjoy a car free space in front of Lincoln Elementary. Move Lebo will be there with a bike valet and tent - stop by and say hello!
Thursday, April 16th
5:30pm - 7pm @ East End Brewing
Walk Lebo Meetup:
Saturday, April 18th
10am - 11:30am
More details here.
Learn to Ride Bike Course @ Earth Day:
Sunday, April 26th
11am - 3pm @ Mt. Lebanon Main Park
e-bike Group Ride:
Saturday, May 9th
10am - 11am @ Needle and Bean
More details & registration here.
Walk Lebo Meetup:
Saturday, May 16th
10am - 11:30am
More details here.
MOVE LEBO BOOK CLUB:
Wednesday, May 27th
6:30pm - 8:30pm @ Back Alley Brewing
For more details and to register visit here.
Together and Forward
@movelebo | info@movelebo.org | www.movelebo.org