A Pittsburgh organization is peddling a pedal-to-work program as an option to driving and parking.

Bike Pittsburgh has introduced "BikePool" in conjunction with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission's CommuteInfo program, which organizes car and van pools for two or more people sharing a ride.

People in BikePool are not expected to ride bicycles built for two.

The program will match new riders with experienced bike commuters, "Someone who can show them the ropes," said Scott Bricker, Bike Pittsburgh executive director.

Mr. Bricker estimated more than 100 people already pedal to work in the city, including 20 to 30 he passes daily on six streets he traverses on his bike commute from Friendship to his South Side office.

When counting students and faculty whose destination is Oakland, "You're talking in the hundreds," he said.

The price is right, although the idea was spawned not so much because of high gas and parking prices but because the city is becoming increasingly accessible and friendly to bicyclists.

Bike Pittsburgh and the SPC are also looking for "BikePool leaders," described as "one of those seasoned veterans" acquainted with safe roads, bike trails and bike-parking facilities. Those candidates are asked to mention their willingness to volunteer under the "Other Comments" field of a computer profile form at www.commuteinfo.org.

New bikers can visit the same Web page or call 412-391-5590.

"If you don't receive any commuter matches when you sign up, be patient," Mr. Bricker advised. "That only means there are not yet people in the (computer) system with a similar starting or ending point."

Do you have to be in good physical condition like Mr. Bricker, a 28-year-old bicycling devotee?

"It depends on your commute," he said, "but you don't necessarily have to be in great shape. We're working with agencies like the Port Authority to make biking easier for everyone."

In 2001, the Port Authority spent a $75,000 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to buy and install bike racks on the front of 85 buses. The "Ride, Rack & Roll" program was implemented on six bus routes deemed most conducive to bicycling use.

"A lot of [racks] were broken or damaged and never repaired" and distributed over too many buses to make a big impact, Mr. Bricker said. "That's being fixed," partly with 100 new bike racks the authority has purchased with a federal grant and are currently being installed on new buses.

In addition, riders are permitted to take bikes on light-rail vehicles and the Monongahela Incline during off-peak hours and on the Duquesne Heights Incline anytime, as long as there's room.

"If you live on top of Mount Washington, getting home is not much fun" without using the inclines, Mr. Bricker said.