From this evening's All Things Considered on NPR (http://www.npr.org):

All Things Considered, July 23, 2008 · Americans want alternatives to traffic jams and high gas prices. Portland, Oregon, thinks it has found one: convincing residents to commute by bike. Cycling has doubled since 2001. And the city hopes this is just the beginning.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92836910

I have to say, I'm aware that gas prices are above $4/gallon, although I don't know the price of gas here in Portland. Nor is the price hitting me directly. Yes, there are indirect effects, but I haven't paid for a gallon of gas in years. So more or less, my life goes on as it did before the price of gas started rising.

Unless prices drop-- and I don't think that's likely-- we're going to be seeing more and more people taking to bikes for the majority of their trips. Can't complain about that. :)

There are not 2 bike lanes in each direction on the Hawthorne Bridge. There is a passing bike lane on one stretch because it's an uphill, but not the entire bridge. I wish there was - the bike congestion is really bad.

You folks across the river have elected a mayor-to-be with some guts, intelligence, and willingness to address the future. Thanks to Mr. Adams, the replacement Interstate bridge might be something better than an autocentric monstrosity. Yeah, I know, off topic but not by much.

I have to say, I'm aware that gas prices are above $4/gallon, although I don't know the price of gas here in Portland. Nor is the price hitting me directly. Yes, there are indirect effects, but I haven't paid for a gallon of gas in years. So more or less, my life goes on as it did before the price of gas started rising.

Unless prices drop-- and I don't think that's likely-- we're going to be seeing more and more people taking to bikes for the majority of their trips. Can't complain about that. :)

Prices are dropping... for the moment anyway... Here in San Diego I am seeing gas near my house as low as 4.19 a gallon. However, truth be told, I suspect I'll see 5.00 a gallon next summer.

But my point is that consumers are fickle... that lower price may just send them out to get a 35MPG car vice the 24MPG car, and not to consider cycling at all.