Mt. Lebanon is widely considered one of the most walkable communities in Southwestern Pennsylvania, known for its connected neighborhoods and vibrant business districts. But residents involved with Move Lebo believe there is still room for improvement.
The grassroots organization advocates for safer streets, improved bicycle infrastructure and greater accessibility for pedestrians. With no school bus transportation in the district, many students walk or bike to school, making safe routes a priority for many families.
In 2024, Marty Bacik and several like-minded residents came together to form what would become Move Lebo.
“I’ve always been passionate about walkability, and that’s one of the main reasons I moved here in the first place,” Bacik said. “I’ve traveled to places with great urban design and experienced what that feels like as a resident. The quality of life you get from a community that prioritizes walkability has really stayed with me, and I think Mt. Lebanon deserves that as well.”
Since then, Move Lebo has expanded to include Walk Lebo, Run Lebo and Bike Lebo. Each group focuses on a different form of active transportation while organizing regular meetings, community events and advocacy efforts. The organization also works with municipal officials on projects aimed at improving infrastructure and street design.
Last month, Bike Lebo unveiled a new bike hub at the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center and celebrated with a community “Bike Bash.” State Rep. Jen Mazzocco attended the event with her children and praised the project as an example of what community advocacy can accomplish.
“It was a really nice accomplishment for the group and for the municipality,” Mazzocco said. “Mt. Lebanon has made significant progress toward creating safer streets for walking and biking, and much of that has been driven by the advocacy of community members.”
Walk Lebo organizes monthly community walks led by Dave Crout. Although he moved to Mt. Lebanon only last year, Crout said he quickly became involved because he believes the community’s walkability must be matched by safe infrastructure.
“Mt. Lebanon calls itself a walkable community, and because students don’t have bus transportation, they have to get to school on their own,” Crout said. “Many parents have told me they don’t feel comfortable letting their children walk or bike to school because they don’t think it’s safe.”
Bacik also leads Run Lebo and serves as the organization’s treasurer. Through weekly Friday morning runs, he encourages residents not only to exercise but also to become more familiar with their community.
He also created the 86 Mile Run Club, a 31-week challenge encouraging participants to run all 86 miles of streets in Mt. Lebanon. Whether runners join organized events or complete the challenge on their own, Bacik hopes it inspires them to explore neighborhoods they might not otherwise visit.
“It’s been so rewarding to see people’s reactions,” Bacik said. “People get excited about running every street in Mt. Lebanon. The most fulfilling part is seeing newcomers meet people and develop a real connection to the community.”
Like Bacik, Mazzocco views walkability as more than a transportation issue. She believes it encourages residents to engage with neighborhood businesses, parks and public spaces while strengthening community relationships. In fact, she said her own advocacy for improved street design in Dormont helped inspire her to seek elected office.
“I think that kind of connection is good for a community,” Mazzocco said. “It brings people closer together and makes communities more resilient.”
For more information about Move Lebo’s events and initiatives, including sidewalk cleanups, group walks and street design proposals, visit movelebo.org.
