It was a cold morning for biking Friday with the temperature in the upper 40s. But at least it was neither raining nor windy.

These are the sorts of observations more Pittsburghers will make if Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 and the Port Authority Board cannot reach an agreement in the next month or two.

A transit strike, or some sort of shutdown, could hit in December, which is better than a strike in January or February when it really gets cold.

For those who don't want to drive to work and pay for the Downtown parking, which could get extremely scarce, Bike Pittsburgh has put together the Web site www.bikethestrike.org.

Scott Bricker, the executive director of Bike Pittsburgh, said "it's sort of like Bike Commuting 101 on a Web site."

Bike commuting has taken off in Pittsburgh over the last few years. The explosion is most apparent on the bike paths that line the rivers and the unofficial bike lane through Schenley Park Golf Course.

Nearly every morning there is a line of bicycles zipping through the park toward Oakland and Downtown, except on the rainiest days when there are still people biking to work, just fewer of them.

Bicycling in the rain and cold is not impossible, and with the right clothing, it's not even all that unpleasant. (A nice light rain can even be a pleasure, though anyone who hasn't experienced it will think you are crazy if you say that).

There are some things to know about biking to work.

The first is to plan the route. This is not a job for Mapquest.

Bikers have more considerations than distance, because, while the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, a cobblestone street or a steep hill may make that a miserable path. Not to mention that while bicycling through the center of Oakland on Fifth Avenue focuses the mind on survival, it is not for the faint of heart or new bike commuter.

Side streets are usually better than main streets for biking, and the new trails are safer than any of the streets.

The Bike The Strike site suggests testing a route on a nonworking day. It's also good to tweak a bike route over time. Bike Pittsburgh has a map, and Bikely.com has routes that other bikers have mapped, but if there is one thing that can spark a discussion among cyclists, it is the best way to get from point A to point B.

The bike also is key. You don't need a fancy bike to get to work, and a less than fancy bike is best if you are leaving it locked to a parking meter, anyway. With any bike, make sure the tires are inflated and the gears shift and brakes work.

A tune-up is always a good idea. Lights are needed for safety and absolutely necessary for biking during the shorter days of autumn and winter.

The blinking LED lights are bright and eye-catching so that drivers will see you.

Fenders are a great addition, too, because they keep the rain and road grime from splashing up onto you.

For clothes, layer up . The mornings tend to be colder than the afternoons (unless you get out of work after sunset).

Bring a change of clothes in a backpack or a pannier that attaches to the side of the bike.

And if there is a strike in December, talk your employer into taking part in the new federal tax deduction that is going into effect in January. Because if you are riding in the winter, the least you should get, other than a fabulous physique, is $20 to spend on your bike.