When John Stephen starts his frequent bike rides from Highland Park, things usually go smoothly until he crosses the Allegheny River at the Highland Park Bridge.

“Freeport Road is very flat, and you can go a long way, but the road is narrow and cars can get irritated if you’re blocking them,” said Stephen, 45. “I’d like to be able to bicycle into the suburbs without feeling uncomfortable, endangered.”

We want people to be able to get from their home, to a park, to a bus or light-rail into Downtown seamlessly said Scott Bricker, executive director of Bike Pittsburgh.

Allegheny County and PennDOT officials are seeking the opinions and experiences of people like Stephen this week as they work on the “Active Allegheny” plan aimed at making roads, bridges and parks safer and more inviting to pedestrians and bicyclists.

The county hopes to study existing bike lanes, paths and other infrastructure; look at where accidents and incidents have occurred; and come up with plans for improved signs, paths and other amenities

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