View Full Version : How have gas prices impacted your lives?
zeppinger
07-15-08, 03:13 PM
I found this thread on a forum in Consumer Reports Auto website. I like reading their blogs now and then because, in general, the people who subscribe to consumer reports are much better informed consumers than most. Even if they are consuming SUV's. Many of them offer interesting middle ground between us and the cagers. However, some are downright ignorant! While some talk about limiting their driving and combining trips others just replace their gas-guzzling Tahoe with a Pilot for a gain of 2MPG's and then talk about how progressive they are! Thought I would throw this in the mix and get some reactions...
http://discussions.consumerreports.org/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=cr-newcarbuying&tid=156
The main impact on my life is that I don't see my stepson as much. He lives about 15 miles outside the city and is on disability, as are his housemates, who are also close friends of mine. They don't drive into town nearly every day like they used to, because the gas is too expensive.
I ride out to see them at least once a week. My stepson is getting to the point where he can ride in, but he isn't quite there yet--he still gets a little lost on those country roads. Sometimes he meets me halfway so he can get more used to the route. He also has a bike at my house, so we can ride together when he does visit.
This doesn't sound like much of an impact, but it has been a little hard on both of us. It sucks not being able to see loved ones as much as you're used to. It's hard for him too because I'm a person who "gets" him and helps him figure things out.
murphstahoe
07-15-08, 04:21 PM
"not much"
We went to a Bob Weir show in San Jose last week. The show had been moved from an outdoor venue to an indoor venue, and we decided the pot smoke (this is basically a Grateful Dead show) would be too much and decided to sell our tickets.
These shows are hysterical. There are all sorts of people walking around wanting tickets, but despite it being a sold out show and many people wanting tickets, and none available, they all want to pay 30% of face. I just said "I'll burn them in front of you before I take less than face" and sat down for the seige. The first tactic is that they try to trade tie-dye t-shirts, underwear, etc.. for the tickets along with 10 bucks or something. They all actually have money but they've got it hidden in nooks and crannies of their clothing in order to play the game. Next they try to trade drugs for the tickets.
One of them says "Look, we drove down here all the way from Eureka to see Bob, this will be my kids first Bob Weir show". I said "If you can spend $200 to drive your VW van from Eureka to San Jose and back, you can pay face value". More whining. Eventually someone cracked - to the derision and howls of their compatriots - but what a pain in the ass.
Here's hoping next time we decide to go to a similar show, gas prices will drive off these fleabags.
wahoonc
07-15-08, 04:22 PM
My truck stays parked more, I seldom drove it on weekends. But I have been taking longer trips by bike. I have also started using trains for trips to and from my job sites when it is feasible. My company covers my fuel costs for my F350, but it is getting to where I don't like driving...period. I would much rather be riding. Hopefully I can add a Brompton to my fleet soon and be fully multi modal ready.
Aaron:)
My truck stays parked more, I seldom drove it on weekends. But I have been taking longer trips by bike. I have also started using trains for trips to and from my job sites when it is feasible. My company covers my fuel costs for my F350, but it is getting to where I don't like driving...period. I would much rather be riding. Hopefully I can add a Brompton to my fleet soon and be fully multi modal ready.
I always wondered--do you throw a bike in the back of the truck and ride around the job site area? It seems like that would help with gas prices, and also give you a chance to explore a lot of new places.
Lamplight
07-15-08, 05:16 PM
Mainly just food prices, and even then my lifestyle hasn't really changed a noticeable amount.
wahoonc
07-15-08, 05:20 PM
I always wondered--do you throw a bike in the back of the truck and ride around the job site area? It seems like that would help with gas prices, and also give you a chance to explore a lot of new places.
All the time! I have 3-4 bikes that travel with me at one point or another. I have my 197? Sports Standard which is my original car free bike, I have a Huffy Cruiser (WM POS) that I leave at the plant to ride around the site. The plant sits on about 2 square miles, and that is just inside the fenced area. From my site office to the work site is about 3/4 of a mile, from my office to the plant engineer's is close to a mile. I ride the Huffy at least 4-5 miles a day.
I have lucked up occasionally and been able to commute to the jobsite from the motel by bike, but that is rare.
On my weekends off when I stay out of town I will quite often take the bike and go tour the historic areas. Right now I am in the Charleston, SC area.:thumb:
I also take my 1972 Superbe and my 2008 Redline R530 with me when I can. Right now the Redline is sitting right next to me in my motel room:love: I use it to ride in the evenings and to make grocery runs on. I want a Brompton so I can take it on the train with me when I ride it. Currently I am about 4 miles from the train station on the work end and about 17 miles on the home end.
Next job is about an hour north of Indy, not sure how that one is going to work out yet, probably end up having to fly back and forth on my long weekends off. The one after that is supposed to be in McLean, VA near the DC area. Should be able to get back on Amtrak with that one.
Aaron:)
2whls3spds (http://2whls3spds.blogspot.com/)
unrevealed
07-15-08, 06:34 PM
the cost of fruit has risen.
Outside the obvious "prices are going up" stuff, it hasn't really. Of course part of this is because my family is so car-lite anyway (and without even trying; telecommuting will do that).
I ride out to see them at least once a week. My stepson is getting to the point where he can ride in, but he isn't quite there yet--he still gets a little lost on those country roads. Sometimes he meets me halfway so he can get more used to the route.
Have you considered getting him a GPS unit? I'm not sure if they make handheld ones (or bike mounts!) that can guide you to your destination like in car units; but it would help.
sirpoopalot
07-15-08, 07:21 PM
i decided not to buy a car. i can't afford to drink much and/or do drugs as much
Newspaperguy
07-15-08, 07:22 PM
the cost of fruit has risen.
In the case of cherries and apricots, we had a freak snow and cold snap in late April. We lost quite a lot of the early cherries and almost all the apricots. This may account for some of the higher prices of these fruits.
Have you considered getting him a GPS unit? I'm not sure if they make handheld ones (or bike mounts!) that can guide you to your destination like in car units; but it would help.
That's a good idea, but I don't think it would help because of his learning disability. He can read a map and he can ride a bike, but he really can't do both at the same time. I give him a lot of credit though. He's traveled all over the country, and although he gets lost a lot, he always ends up where he was headed for.... eventually.... and always with some good stories to tell.
The main impact on my life is that the cost of my education has increased significantly.
While the others in this province might be able to afford the increase and keep driving their supersize pick-ups and SUVs ... students like me are hit where it hurts. If the prices had remained low, I would have graduated with little to no debt, now the debt will be quite a bit more. Not happy.
CW Spook
07-15-08, 08:10 PM
Very little actually. We try a little harder to eliminate unnecessary trips to the city, but at this stage of our life that's no problem. Our kids & grandkids are 100 miles away and our cabin 450, so not much to do about that. As the price of airline tickets continue to rise we'll not like be traveling overseas much and will be looking more at places within a few hundred miles where we can drive and take the bikes for entertainment. This is not an area where living car-free is a reasonable alternative and frankly, I'd never want to live in an area so metropolitan that it was. The house we paid $30K for 30 years ago would sell for seven figures on the left coast. You pays yer money and you takes yer choice.
dauphin
07-15-08, 08:12 PM
I'm broke?
sirpoopalot
07-15-08, 08:14 PM
The main impact on my life is that the cost of my education has increased significantly.
While the others in this province might be able to afford the increase and keep driving their supersize pick-ups and SUVs ... students like me are hit where it hurts. If the prices had remained low, I would have graduated with little to no debt, now the debt will be quite a bit more. Not happy.
is it the comuting costs which are hurting you or has the cost of tuition/books/etc increased?
Tom Stormcrowe
07-15-08, 08:19 PM
I'm using Public Transit and the bike a LOT more. I was car light and am trying to figure out a way to reduce even further, though but cannot go car free for reasons of my wife's health. Out of town Drs, no choice in the matter.
is it the comuting costs which are hurting you or has the cost of tuition/books/etc increased?
Mainly commuting costs, although they also raised tuition costs for the first time in a few years.
And no, moving closer is not an option ... moving closer would be MORE expensive than commuting.
Not at all, to be honest. In college, I suppose higher prices were the airlines' excuse for raising baggage fees, so perhaps I paid more there, but since I'm no longer going to be flying for grad school, that won't be an issue. If I get a car this fall, then I'll start paying for gas, but if I don't, I won't (though my family will continue to).
sirpoopalot
07-15-08, 08:29 PM
Mainly commuting costs, although they also raised tuition costs for the first time in a few years.
just out of curiosity, how much debt will you incur as a result of increased comuting costs? (ignoring tuition increases)
Arrowana
07-15-08, 08:32 PM
They have made me go from wanting a cool, fast car when I turn 16, to a small efficient car, and then to screw it, I'll just ride my bike.
Bikepacker67
07-15-08, 08:34 PM
The grocery bill has gone up.
That's about it though... we don't use much energy (well... relatively speaking)
I'm using Public Transit and the bike a LOT more. I was car light and am trying to figure out a way to reduce even further, though but cannot go car free for reasons of my wife's health. Out of town Drs, no choice in the matter.
I think that as gas prices rise, carlite becomes a more attractive option. Until the last year or two, gas cost was a small portion of total car expenses. To save significant money, you had to dump the car all together--because that was the only way to eliminate the bigger expenses of insurance, monthly payments, maintenance, parking and so forth. Nowadays, gas has become such a big cost factor that you can save a lot even if you keep the car but use it mainly for the doctor visits.
just out of curiosity, how much debt will you incur as a result of increased comuting costs? (ignoring tuition increases)
I was able to get the first two years of my degree in the city where I live so my housing and transportation costs were next to nothing. But last year and this coming year I've had to travel to a neighboring city to finish the degree.
Last year I paid $1600 in fuel, but I moved to the city for the second semester because I didn't want to drive every day in the winter, so I had a hefty rent to pay instead.
This coming year I'm commuting 3 days a week which will cost a minimum of $450/month in fuel, for 4 months, and then 5 days a week for about 5-6 week which will cost me about $800 ... so a total of $2600.00. After that I hope to get a practicum position in the city where I live. If not, I'll be forking out even more for fuel.
That's a good idea, but I don't think it would help because of his learning disability. He can read a map and he can ride a bike, but he really can't do both at the same time. I give him a lot of credit though. He's traveled all over the country, and although he gets lost a lot, he always ends up where he was headed for.... eventually.... and always with some good stories to tell.
Well, if you can find one of the ones that gives verbal directions ("Turn RIGHT in POINT TWO MILES" and such), that might work.
maddyfish
07-15-08, 08:57 PM
I've made a small fortune in oil futures. So, since I don't drive much, all in all, I'd say I'm loving it. Less cars, more bikes, more scooters, even bike racks at my local swim club.
I was able to get the first two years of my degree in the city where I live so my housing and transportation costs were next to nothing. But last year and this coming year I've had to travel to a neighboring city to finish the degree.
Last year I paid $1600 in fuel, but I moved to the city for the second semester because I didn't want to drive every day in the winter, so I had a hefty rent to pay instead.
This coming year I'm commuting 3 days a week which will cost a minimum of $450/month in fuel, for 4 months, and then 5 days a week for about 5-6 week which will cost me about $800 ... so a total of $2600.00. After that I hope to get a practicum position in the city where I live. If not, I'll be forking out even more for fuel.
I know it's hard--I too had to make some difficult trade-offs to finish college and graduate school. When you're done, you should be able to live and work in the same city, and trade the car for a bike-- in other words, live like a normal person.
;)
Well, if you can find one of the ones that gives verbal directions ("Turn RIGHT in POINT TWO MILES" and such), that might work.
Thanks for the idea, feba. I'll see if he's interested. He does have a birthday coming up soon....
I know it's hard--I too had to make some difficult trade-offs to finish college and graduate school. When you're done, you should be able to live and work in the same city, and trade the car for a bike--like a normal person.
;)
Yes!! And I'm counting down to the day I'm free again!! :D
If all goes well, I'll be living in a little, relatively energy-efficient house the country, or a small town ... hopefully within cycling distance of whatever job I get. Who knows ... maybe I'll even try my hand at growing my own veggies. :)
Since I'm car-free, the only impact has been higher prices for food and other commodities. I have noticed much higher prices for bike parts, lately, too. Inner tubes that cost $4.00 a year ago now cost $6.00. This probably has a lot to do with higher steel, etc., prices worldwide, but I also wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that every bike shop I've been to recently is packed with people suddenly interested in getting a bike.
Dahon.Steve
07-15-08, 09:46 PM
It hasn't affected me at all. I hate to say sometimes because others are suffering but it's true and being car free has a lot to do with it. The most expensive aspect of motoring is the cost of the vehicle, maintenance and hidden replacement costs and not gasoline. In some situations, parking, tolls and tickets may play a factor but without a doubt, vehicle prices have sky rocked making minor increases in fuel a huge issue.
I find it amazing how Americans have extended themselves so much with the addiction of motoring. I am shocked at the price of new vehicles when they are advertised in print media. Yet, I don't see anyone complaining about these prices at all but this is the reason why the motorist is struggling.
I see prices of new vehicles and wonder how people can afford it? I read in the newspaper that if it weren't for the lease option, luxury cars would not sell for the majority of them are never purchased outright. How can you live on the edge with new vehicles that are just plain unaffordable? It's like buying a new home for 700K and complaining about high property taxes when the real issue was over-extending your lifestyle.
Having said all this, I don't see any decrease in traffic. I suspect most people if they are affected, will continue to drive the same amount of miles.
Since I'm car-free, the only impact has been higher prices for food and other commodities. I have noticed much higher prices for bike parts, lately, too. Inner tubes that cost $4.00 a year ago now cost $6.00. This probably has a lot to do with higher steel, etc., prices worldwide, but I also wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that every bike shop I've been to recently is packed with people suddenly interested in getting a bike.
My inner tubes haven't gone up at all. They were $2.50 years ago, they're still $2.50.
zeppinger
07-15-08, 10:38 PM
It hasn't affected me at all. I hate to say sometimes because others are suffering but it's true and being car free has a lot to do with it. The most expensive aspect of motoring is the cost of the vehicle, maintenance and hidden replacement costs and not gasoline. In some situations, parking, tolls and tickets may play a factor but without a doubt, vehicle prices have sky rocked making minor increases in fuel a huge issue.
Actually, THE most expensive part about owning a car is not gas, maintenance, insurance, or repairs. Its depreciation. Most Americans buy a NEW VEHICLE every four years! Jesus christ! The average vehicle sold in the USA loses HALF ITS VALUE after just three years. Lets talk about a reasonable car like a 4cl toyota camry. 30k plus or minus wind-up windows after three years.... assuming good depreciation.... 15-18k WOW! That is insane, let alone all the other cost. With this in mind, living car-lite makes even more sense because car lite people often keep a single car for a very long time. Because they do not absolutely depend of the vehicle it matters much less wether it continues to "fit" their lives. Most consumers in the US buy a new car because of a perceived change in need such as " i used to be single and now I own a dog , better buy a suburban!" really they are just excuses to update their status symbols. If you keep a car around that has already lost most of its value in depreciation but is still reliable and fuel efficient you can reduce the amount spent by huge amounts. Just thought I would share.
Domromer
07-15-08, 10:58 PM
My income has dropped a fair bit. My day job is a delivery driver. I went from working 40 hours per week to 16. My other job is landscape photography. This requires me to travel most weekends. With gas prices the way they are I've tried to only go away once a month. Evertime I go to the coast now I figure it costs $30 RT.
Newspaperguy
07-15-08, 10:59 PM
Actually, zeppinger, depreciation is only part of the problem. Cars, like most things we purchase, will wear out over time. For the first few years, the car will run quite cheaply but after a number of years, the costs will rise significantly. Eventually, the car is no longer reliable or cost-efficient. At that point, buying a new (or newer) vehicle makes sense.
Going car-light can help to extend the number of years a car can last (but it will still need to be maintained and serviced from time to time.) Going car-free can eliminate the automotive costs altogether (although costs for transit, taxi and vehicle rentals are now likely.)
One way it has barely started to affect us is with higher prices for public transit. I believe that transit companies usually have contracts that lock in fuel prices for a few months, but these must be expiring soon. I predict that we'll soon see a jump in what we pay to ride buses and trains.
I was reading today that oil is just one commodity that is sky high. Steel, copper, aluminum--just about everything is real expensive right now. This knowledge makes me think a little differently about the gas and diesel prices....
actually hasn't impacted me much at all, save for taxi prices going up..
i think bus fares are going up soon as well. but nothing major.
edit: and there seems to be a lot more people on bikes these days too!
zeppinger
07-15-08, 11:42 PM
Actually, zeppinger, depreciation is only part of the problem. Cars, like most things we purchase, will wear out over time. For the first few years, the car will run quite cheaply but after a number of years, the costs will rise significantly. Eventually, the car is no longer reliable or cost-efficient. At that point, buying a new (or newer) vehicle makes sense.
Going car-light can help to extend the number of years a car can last (but it will still need to be maintained and serviced from time to time.) Going car-free can eliminate the automotive costs altogether (although costs for transit, taxi and vehicle rentals are now likely.)
Actually newspaperguy, read this article about the real price of owning a car...
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/pricing/what-that-car-really-costs-to-own-4-08/overview/what-that-car-really-costs-to-own-ov.htm?resultPageIndex=1&resultIndex=1&searchTerm=depreciation
others have done studies on this and found that depreciation far outweighs repairs and maintenance. Many new cars today even come maintenance free (excluding oil changes and tire rotation) for the first 100,000 miles. You are correct though, the older a car gets the higher the cost of maintaining it. However, cars are getting more and more reliable and if you eliminate all the fancy extras like power EVERYTHING options, get a manual transmission, and stick with four cylinders or less it wont be much of a problem. I bought my econo-japanese-shoebox for $4,500 three years ago and sold it last year for $3,400. Yes, i had to maintain it now and again but in the end the car only had a little over 100k on the odometer which really isnt much for that kind of car. Just dont buy any used BMW's or Land Rovers and there should be no reason that maintenance should be such an issue.
One way it has barely started to affect us is with higher prices for public transit. I believe that transit companies usually have contracts that lock in fuel prices for a few months, but these must be expiring soon. I predict that we'll soon see a jump in what we pay to ride buses and trains.
I was reading today that oil is just one commodity that is sky high. Steel, copper, aluminum--just about everything is real expensive right now. This knowledge makes me think a little differently about the gas and diesel prices....
The prices of all commodities will be rising steeply in the foreseeable future, and there's not much anyone can do about it, unless bird flu kicks in suddenly. In China, they're placing a new power plant on the grid about once a week. In addition, they're building light rail or subway systems in 60 cities at the same time. That's a lot of steel. At the same time, both India and China are expanding their paved road systems as fast as they can, and citizens in both countries, encouraged by subsidized gas prices, are buying cars as quickly as budgets will allow. This is, of course, a prescription for disaster, but who can blame them, and in the meantime we here in the West can contemplate the CO2-spewing, resource-eating monster we've created and can no longer control.
donnamb
07-16-08, 12:58 AM
Inner tubes that cost $4.00 a year ago now cost $6.00. This probably has a lot to do with higher steel, etc., prices worldwide, but I also wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that every bike shop I've been to recently is packed with people suddenly interested in getting a bike.
Well, they are made from butyl rubber, which is a product of petroleum. Depending on where they're made, transportation costs could also be a factor.
Gas prices have impacted me mainly in the realm of food. It's a lot more expensive than it was. If I had to maintain a car, my quality of life would be greatly affected. Strangely enough, I've been doing a lot better overall. I paid off the last of my consumer debt a few months ago. Since it coincides with the fuel increases, I actually seem to be doing better financially than when gas was cheaper. (though I have no illusions about that)
My brother has a fair-sized back yard and lives 5 miles from me. I think I am going to have a talk with him and my sister-in-law about food gardening together next spring. Maybe rent a rototiller this fall before the weather gets too crappy. It's looking like a bigger operation than my little porch pot garden would be practical.
They have made me go from wanting a cool, fast car when I turn 16, to a small efficient car, and then to screw it, I'll just ride my bike.
Yeah. I was never really interested in fancy cars (as in having them) but lately, I've taken an interest in hybrids. A Honda Insight with 70mpg is the closest thing out there to a dream car for me. However, a basic bike is about 15k cheaper, so it's a no-brainer at the moment.
531phile
07-16-08, 03:31 AM
Food prices, but I saw this coming.
531phile
07-16-08, 03:32 AM
so what's all this talk about wind energy?
Not yet. I measure my fuel usage by counting the number of weeks between fillups on the car. I can get 3 weeks pretty easy, but I am into the 4th week right now (on a 15 gallon tank of diesel).
I sold my house recently so I no longer have to drive over there and mow the grass :D:D. That plus some telecommuting and bicycle commuting helps get me up over the top.
The trick will be to see if I can get 4 weeks/tank on a regular basis.
dynodonn
07-16-08, 07:52 AM
The latest oil prices haven't affected me significantly. For many years now, I've learned to live well below my means, making my financial margin sizable enough to cushion me from this current oil price spike.
chennai
07-16-08, 08:38 AM
I have noticed two things:
First, I get more comments about commuting by bike than ever before - all favorable. I suspect this is because my non-mainstream behavior now has a mainstream explanation. "Oh. I get it. He's saving money." I suspect that people feel comfortable commenting on my commuting, because they can now "understand" it in terms that make sense in their worldview.
Second, I see many more bike commuters. I imagine the number will fade eventually, but at the moment, I'm enjoying the company. (It's a happy surprise that most of these folks ride fairly well. Save for city-created traps, most generally are in the right place on the road and avoid truly perilous behavior.)
OT: I'm glad there are more bicycles on the road, but I confess that seeing the number suddenly increase is a bit unsettling: who easily mass media influences the behavior of Americans always troubles me. (In this case, of course, the effect is positive.) Cities, TMOs, advocacy groups, and a few enlightened employers have tried to get more people on bikes for years with little real impact. Suddenly, the media starts covering higher gas prices and people get out of their cars and onto bicycles.
Cars and car commuting have always been crazily expensive. Isn't it a bit irrational to suddenly change behavior because the cost of using a car has increased - what? around 10-15%?
(Maybe it's like love. Irrational, wonderful, good, and not nearly as fun if one analyzes it.)
mconlonx
07-16-08, 09:04 AM
We've made a lot of changes over the past year, but I can't say it was just because of gas prices. More like happy coincidence that the recent gas price insanity occurred at the same time we were making some lifestyle changes we'd already committed to.
Two years ago, I got a job more local to where I live, so my one way commute went from 80 mi to 17. Last year, my wife got a job at the same company, same hours, so even before gas prices rose so dramatically, we were already commuting in together.
I'd commuted by bike when I lived down in Boston and my ride was only 7 mi one way--the extra 10 miles of the current commute were a bit intimidating. Still, over the winter and again before fuel prices got too out of hand, I'd psyched myself up by building my Ultimate Commuter Bike. With my wife working at the same place I do and driving in, this would be more for exercise/health than saving gas. She rides, but recreationally, and certainly not that far.
Also, we put in a vegetable garden, converting about 400 sq ft of lawn into veggie beds. Save money on veggies, cut down on the amount of grass to mow (gas)--win-win! Next year, we'll break more lawn for garden. The gas mower is dying and will probably be replaced by a push reel-mower.
My 91 Honda Civic needed more in repairs that the car was worth, so we got rid of it. Now we are car-lite, down to one car (and one motorcycle... which gets better milage than any hybrid currently availalbe as a new car... and costs about the same to insure for one year as the car did for a month...).
We switched grocery stores and now save about 25% compared to what we were spending on groceries--with the rise in prices, this has pretty much been a moot move other than the fact that we'd be paying more for the same stuff if we hadn't switched.
And then, through a sorrowful event, a tandem dropped in our laps. We did some rec rides, and when my wife felt strong enough as stoker and I finally got confident enough as captain, we started commuting in to work. I so proud of my wife! And now we're saving gas for realz.
We heat with oil (Maine), so this winter will be killer. We had thoughts about installing a woodstove, but from what I'm hearing, firewood is scarce and expensive, and the days of people giving away decent used woodstoves is suddenly over. We'll have to make cuts elsewhere, cable TV will probably be one of the first to go...
We have cut down dramatically on spending outside of essentials. We both like to travel--two years ago on our honeymoon, we did a dream vacation in Ireland and Amsterdam. This year, our idea of a fabulous vacation is taking a long weekend to either bike up to Portland ME for a night out on the town and a decent hotel, paid for with money saved by bike-commuting--we have a jar for gas cash saved--or take the same cash, invest in some touring gear, and go bike camping.
While gas and general price increases due to fuel/energy going up has certainly encouraged what we are doing and even socially makes things like digging up the front lawn to plant edibles a bit more acceptable to the neighbors, and bike commuting on the tandem look like a smart thing to our co-workers, I can't honestly say that it was just because of gas prices, or even mostly because of it. We'd already set out on this course before gas got out of hand; the current economic environment just provides that much more impetus to continue. And not look so crazy to others who have yet to adopt such lifestyle changes.
I have noticed two things:
First, I get more comments about commuting by bike than ever before - all favorable. I suspect this is because my non-mainstream behavior now has a mainstream explanation. "Oh. I get it. He's saving money." I suspect that people feel comfortable commenting on my commuting, because they can now "understand" it in terms that make sense in their worldview.
Second, I see many more bike commuters. I imagine the number will fade eventually, but at the moment, I'm enjoying the company. (It's a happy surprise that most of these folks ride fairly well. Save for city-created traps, most generally are in the right place on the road and avoid truly perilous behavior.)
Yeah, the combination of these has me spending time helping new transportational cyclists get the feel of it. I know one suburban mom who is not only biking to work occasionally but making her kids bike or walk places. It seems to embarrass them that they have to be independent when their friends get driven everywhere.
The one after that is supposed to be in McLean, VA near the DC area. Should be able to get back on Amtrak with that one.
Aaron:)
2whls3spds (http://2whls3spds.blogspot.com/)
McLean is like a biking backwater around here as far as I can tell. I avoid it so haven't been out there in 4-5 years. There must be some recreational bikers out there but when I go it doesn't feel like a place to bike to the store or anything. Maybe they'll let you stay in Arlington and bike commute out the the job site. Last time I biked there I was with a car free guy who knew the area and all the shortcuts and it still sucked. Cutting through back parking lots and singletracking along fence lines just brought the modern urban planning concepts into sharper focus.
77midget
07-16-08, 12:52 PM
Started commuting by bike (originally just for fitness and enjoyment)
biking more
driving less
cut $180/month in gasoline expense
dropped 15lbs
spend more time at home w/ family
feel better
eating much better (sourcing food locally as much as possible)
but...
food costs more
electricity costs more
home heating oil costs a lot more
the 1 vacation we are taking this year has doubled in price.
inflation is outpacing wages
Real estate market collapse is going to make $4.00 gas look like a ride in the park, by the time its effects are fully realized.
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