Pedal power

The Port Authority has just released its list of cut and scaled-down bus routes (“Port Authority Web Site Has Details of Transit Cuts,” May 22), and reports say that gas prices are expected to reach $4 per gallon this summer.

Thankfully for myself and hundreds of other city residents, our fuel supply is still plentiful as we commute to work and other places by bicycle. Perhaps more folks will be joining us as the nice days and gas prices increase.

If you do choose to continue driving your car, please be aware of the other people using the road around you — check twice in your mirrors and blind spots before merging, and pass us carefully and not too close. Remember, we could be your neighbor, doctor, daughter or even best friend.

CAITLIN LENAHAN
Regent Square

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Volunteer to maintain this trail

I’m writing regarding the development of the Steel Valley Bike/Hike Trail, part of the Great Allegheny Passage trail. The Steel Valley Trail Council is working feverishly to complete it to the Point by the upcoming 250th anniversary next summer (“Slow But Sure, Bike Trail Nears Completion,” April 27). Tireless volunteers labor behind the scenes to bring a great asset to the Pittsburgh community, and it will be used extensively, I’m sure, by all the communities along the Mon from McKeesport to the Point. (If we build it, they will come.)

The problem will be afterward. As the other trail councils along the Great Allegheny Passage have found, maintenance is the largest issue once the trail is complete. Volunteers are needed constantly to repair, monitor, improve and patrol, and the Steel Valley Trail will be no exception.

As president of the Yough River Trail Council, based in Connellsville, I urge residents of the Steel Valley area to become active and help as much as possible. It’s usually a handful of people who do the majority of work on the trail and the users take them for granted. Get involved. Trails don’t care for themselves.

If you’re truly interested in helping, visit http://gaptrail.com for more information about volunteering some time.

TED KOVALL
President
Yough River Trail Council
Connellsville