Williamsport approves MOU with UPMC to add bike-friendly markings on four miles of streets

Williamsport City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with UPMC on Dec. 4, 2025 to install pavement markings and signage on roughly four miles of low-volume city streets to create bike-friendly connections between neighborhoods, Shaw Park and other recreation assets.

Planner/presenter Miss Fessler said the work will be financed in part with CDBG funds and coordinated with Loyalsock Township’s Millers Run Greenway and the UPMC Divine campus. "This is essentially an MOU between the city of Williamsport and UPMC," she said, describing expectations for both parties and the project’s connection to a mountain-bike/pump-track schedule at Shaw Park.

Council and staff discussed enforcement and education alongside infrastructure: Council members asked about ordinance provisions and police efforts to address bike-safety compliance, and a police representative described frequent enforcement of unlighted bicycles at night and on-street bike patrol activity in summer months. Members suggested partnering with schools and community groups for helmet and safety-education efforts; staff noted the city has an active federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant that will also produce recommendations.

The MOU was approved 5-0. Implementation will be coordinated across departments, with timing tied to completion of the pump-track project and parallel actions by neighboring Loyalsock Township.

Why it matters: The project aims to improve active-transportation connections and safety on low-volume streets and pairs infrastructure markings with enforcement and education measures.