It saves gas

Now that we're well into Pittsburgh's patented two-week-long spring, this Morning Filer has taken to riding his bike to work. Well, there's an asterisk here. I drive to the head of the Eliza Furnace Trail in Hazelwood (more familiarly, the "Jail Trail"), park free, remove bike from rack, then pedal Downtown to the Post-Gazette. Yes, I'm still using some gas, but there's no parking or bus costs, and it's just the way to begin and end a work day. Also, there's nothing like a bike trail to keep you from getting killed by motorists enraged by anything on two wheels. Or two feet, for that matter.

If you, too, would like to be a bicycle commuter, Bike Pittsburgh (www.bike-pgh.org) and CommuteInfo are willing to help. They'll put you in touch with a veteran bicyclist from your area, who will show you the ropes and share the ride. Visit www.commuteinfo.org or call 1-888-819-6610, if you want to participate as a rookie or bikepool leader.

Yes, but what about a shower?

In our case, we try not to sweat. But Seattle, an outdoorsy, ahead-of-the-curve, bicycling town, has a handle on this. It's on the verge of a downtown residential boom that will change the skyline and help curb sprawl. The key is a new rule allowing taller condo and office towers. But developers have to meet certain requirements, The Seattle Times reports. They must contribute to a fund for low- and moderate-income housing downtown, build energy-efficient high-rises and have 8-foot-wide awnings to keep pedestrians dry. And large office towers will have to install showers for bicycle commuters who work there. Indeed, bicycle commuting is a major element in Seattle's long-term plans to reduce traffic congestion.

Two-wheeled road rage

Even more of a bicycling city is Portland, Ore., not that you could tell from Randy Albright. Two years ago, Mr. Albright, a 49-year-old water bureau employee and bicycle commuter, had a close call with a bus. He tried to get the driver's attention and rode alongside, hitting the bus with his gloved hand. When the bus, which was full, stopped in traffic, Mr. Albright parked in front of it so the driver couldn't move. Video from the bus camera shows the driver opening the door and a man with a military-style haircut getting off. The guy then proceeds to get Mr. Albright and his bike out of the way in a jiffy, before getting back on the bus. Mr. Albright got a bloody lip and sued. The Oregonian ran a story on the case in January and put the bus video on its Web site. The public response was overwhelmingly anti-Albright.

Backlash or just rush hour?

In 2004, British researchers found that commuters can experience greater stress than fighter pilots going into battle. A German study found that people caught in traffic are three times more likely to have a heart attack within the hour than those not stuck in a jam. That could explain the Albright case. Or it could be that bicycling has succeeded all too well in Portland, one of those cool cities where young people are under orders to report to after college. Since 1991, daily bike traffic on four key bridges has increased by 257 percent, according to the Oregonian. The increase in automobile traffic: zero. Apparently, some see the increasing number of bicyclists as an invasion and have moved out to escape. Several citizens said Albright's actions on that morning in 2004 show why bicycle commuters should be licensed.

It can be dangerous

Perhaps, Randy Albright is lucky to be alive. In 2004, 725 bicyclists were killed and 41,000 injured across America, according to government figures. Most fatalities occur in urban areas between 5 and 9 p.m. -- when traffic is busiest and visibility lowest. A familiar hazard in urban areas for cyclists riding far right is the dreaded "door zone." Doors swinging open suddenly from parked cars have dumped lots of riders, and it hurts just to think about it.

Bike commuter tax break

Many of us can get tax breaks for parking and mass transit through a fringe benefit program for businesses. For years, cycling advocates have argued for equal consideration. The Bicycle Commuter Act was reintroduced in Congress in 2005 and is awaiting action, but don't hold your breath. New Jersey has discussed a bill that would have allowed cyclists to deduct 10 cents per mile from their gross income, the Daily Record (Morristown, N.J.) reports.

Why not use a little clown car?

Last month in Chicago, a man wearing a clown mask, red nose and bright red wig held up a North Side bank with a toy gun. As if his plan for just blending in with the crowd wasn't bad enough, the clown then tried to get away on a bicycle, the Chicago Sun Times reported. An off-duty cop chased him down and knocked him off the bike.

A bicycle built for seven

Here's the gift for seven people who have everything. Hammacher Schlemmer recently came out with the "ConferenceBike," which seats up to seven people sitting in a circle and biking together. One person steers, while all seven riders are free to pedal, or not, as the bike moves along. Suitable for family reunions, corporate seminars and labor negotiations. Or as the racy French would say, a menage a sept. It costs $650 -- no wait, that's shipping and handling. It costs $18,999.95. It's sold out but it's worth visiting the site just to see it: www.hammacher.com/publish/78743.asp?promo=sp_transportation

Let's hear from you

Do you have a bike story to share? Send it to pleo@post-gazette.com or Portfolio, 34 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh 15222 or call 412-263-1112.