This morning as part of the "Sticking it to the Man" news segment (ran about 10:30 A.M.) MSNBC featured the story of a man named Scott Morrison who has begun to ride 12 miles to work each day as a replacement to his truck. The segment talked about the large savings to be raked in if you can dump off your car and get about on a bicycle (insurance, registration, gas, etc). Did anyone else see this? I think it was actually a pretty good segment.

Scott is a member of BF! He posted this (see below) to the "How was your commute today?" thread over on Commuting:

I wasn't planning to commute today, it's my usual day off, but MSNBC called and is trying to get a news crew here to interview me about bicycle commuting. Hope it comes through. Looks like I will be riding part of my commute today. Got the fair and foul weather bikes set up. I'll try to wear my HHCMF shirt if it doesn't glare out the camera. Too bad they didn't pick someone with more experience. I've only been commuting for 6 months. I'll try not to let y'all down. Be nice, it's my B'day.Ride On.

He also said his boss was ok with him missing time from work to do the interview, as long as he did the interview in front of the company sign. It was a RADIO interview. ;)

I saw it! It was great! I thought I recognized the name! way to go, Scott! :D

I saw it! It was great! I thought I recognized the name! way to go, Scott! :D


And he did the decent thing by taking the high road (pardon that) and not becoming one of those nuts they have on occasionally who begins to foam at the mouth and attack everyone and anything with "oil" associated. :D

this thread made me laugh, as the morning news segment I caught (local) was about a guy burning canola oil in his Mercedes diesel (not bio-diesel but the cooking oil from the grocery store). He said, "Its comes to about 4$ / gallon, but at least the money isn't going to the middle east." Sheesh! Ride a bike if you want to save oil, a good portion of the 4$ / gallon I would guess goes to buy diesel for the farmer growing the oil.

Good job scott, we need more of these real solutions on tv, not just idiots who know just enough about diesel engines to be dangerous.

this thread made me laugh, as the morning news segment I caught (local) was about a guy burning canola oil in his Mercedes diesel (not bio-diesel but the cooking oil from the grocery store). He said, "Its comes to about 4$ / gallon, but at least the money isn't going to the middle east." Sheesh! Ride a bike if you want to save oil, a good portion of the 4$ / gallon I would guess goes to buy diesel for the farmer growing the oil.

Good job scott, we need more of these real solutions on tv, not just idiots who know just enough about diesel engines to be dangerous.

yeah, it's amazing what people come up with. a lady at my work only fills up a half a tank at a time. this way it "feels" cheaper for her. of course, she just has to fill up twice as often.

(not bio-diesel but the cooking oil from the grocery store). He said, "Its comes to about 4$ / gallon, but at least the money isn't going to the middle east."
He can get it much cheaper if he buys fresh veg. oil in bulk
http://www.bulkoil.com/

Al

yeah, it's amazing what people come up with. a lady at my work only fills up a half a tank at a time. this way it "feels" cheaper for her. of course, she just has to fill up twice as often.

I only fill up a half a tank at a time, but I fill up to the top when I get to 1/2 tank. One of the first rules of emergency preparedness is to not let your vehicle fuel level get too low.

Awhile back up in Winsted CT (15 min north of where I grew up) a man converted his old VW to Vegetable oil. One night a black bear attacked it after smelling the oil. The bear destroyed the car and drank the contents of the oil tank.

And he did the decent thing by taking the high road (pardon that) and not becoming one of those nuts they have on occasionally who begins to foam at the mouth and attack everyone and anything with "oil" associated. :D

Thanks. They tried, but the whole foaming at the mouth routine would have just turned people off. I wanted to show bike commuting as a viable option. They failed to mention I burned off 48 pounds so far. I've been burning fat, does that count as biodiesel?:rolleyes:

haven't heard or seen the piece but from what I'm reading here and what has been said about the segment it sounds like Scott represented well. Thanks.

Someone plz post a link to the MSNBC story...

Someone plz post a link to the MSNBC story...

+1

I want to see it so I can say, "way to go, Scott!" :D

this thread made me laugh, as the morning news segment I caught (local) was about a guy burning canola oil in his Mercedes diesel (not bio-diesel but the cooking oil from the grocery store).

The version of this story in my area involves a South Carolina State representative who commutes in a golf cart to save gas. The thing is, he lives only a mile and half from work! He could easily ride a bike or even walk.

Thanks. They tried, but the whole foaming at the mouth routine would have just turned people off. I wanted to show bike commuting as a viable option. They failed to mention I burned off 48 pounds so far. I've been burning fat, does that count as biodiesel?:rolleyes:


Wow those are all around good results! Save money, better shape, lose weight, save more money (cars are very expensive all-said!). I hope the story encourages more people to give it a try.

yeah, it's amazing what people come up with. a lady at my work only fills up a half a tank at a time. this way it "feels" cheaper for her. of course, she just has to fill up twice as often.

My rule is simple. I put $20 of gas in my tank and live with it. If it means I have to drive less, TOUGH!

On those weekends where I do travel alot (hockey, whatever) I double that number. But to me, I try and put an upper limit on the amount if money I spend on gasoline.

Obviously has limitations in the event of another major price surge; but it keeps things in control along the way.

roughstuff

Another thing everyone can do is write a letter to the editor of your local paper showing bicycle commuting as an alternative to driving to work or riding on short trips to the store. Talk about the health and financial benefits. Talk about May as Bike To Work Month. Don't preach, just suggest it as another option. Every little bit helps.

How much more expensive is gas in Europe than it is here?

Is cycling more popular in Europe or here?

How much more expensive is gas in Europe than it is here?

Is cycling more popular in Europe or here?

About $7 in U.K.

We need to stress to John Q. Public that one does not have to give up motoring entirely in order to reap the economic, environmental, mental, emotional, and physical benefits of bicycling. Start by leaving the car at home for short trips (which cause the most pollution and engine wear per mile and use the most fuel per mile), and build from there as desired.

We need to stress to John Q. Public that one does not have to give up motoring entirely in order to reap the economic, environmental, mental, emotional, and physical benefits of bicycling. Start by leaving the car at home for short trips (which cause the most pollution and engine wear per mile and use the most fuel per mile), and build from there as desired.

+1

My rule is simple. I put $20 of gas in my tank and live with it. If it means I have to drive less, TOUGH!

On those weekends where I do travel alot (hockey, whatever) I double that number. But to me, I try and put an upper limit on the amount if money I spend on gasoline.

Obviously has limitations in the event of another major price surge; but it keeps things in control along the way.

roughstuff


Amen to that. I have the $20 limit as well. I have a VW so the gas mileage is pretty good. But still, limits have to be set, especially with the costs of car travel rising so much (insurance, gas etc).

Awhile back up in Winsted CT (15 min north of where I grew up) a man converted his old VW to Vegetable oil. One night a black bear attacked it after smelling the oil. The bear destroyed the car and drank the contents of the oil tank.
ROFLMAO. I can just see trying to explain that one to the insurance agent. I am willing to bet that there isn't a check mark for that on the report.

Steve W.
Who once saw a car in Alaska that was stomped to death by a Moose.

ROFLMAO. I can just see trying to explain that one to the insurance agent. I am willing to bet that there isn't a check mark for that on the report.

Steve W.
Who once saw a car in Alaska that was stomped to death by a Moose.


I'll bet it's also something the bio-diesel crowd hasn't thought of. I'd hate to go to the car in the morning to be shot up by a skunk or encounter a family of coons or bears.

The Scott Morrison segment has been coupled with the news of the new House Bill and the WSJ article on bicycle commuting on MSNBC's "The Most" show today. It will be airing this afternoon. Look for it!

Interesting, the segment had an interview with the Mayor of Louiville, KY. The show said Louisville is the most bike-friendly city. Apparently the city has begun to build bike stations of their own as well.