Fifty Plus (50+) - Forget the price of gasoline and diesel - tune up the bikes!

We are all watching the Middle East spiral down into chaos and anarchy. Now, the price of oil and all it's refined products start to bump up daily...

Now's the time to really be proud of our bikes and affordable way of getting from Point-A to Point-B, and back again.

Have you started thinking about ways of promoting our bicycle lifestyles? What have you been thinking - Showing leadership in fuel conservation - or gloating?


:lol::lol:

Have you started thinking about ways of promoting our bicycle lifestyles? What have you been thinking - Showing leadership in fuel conservation - or gloating?


Why, gloating, of course!

I rebuilt my wheels and re-lubed chain, cables, and derailers with petroleum products bought last fall!

We can gloat and pat ouselves on the back as much as we like, but what about all of those who are too physically challanged to cycle? What are they supposed to do? If they can afford gasoline they are fine, if they are already financially depleted due to health care costs associated with their disabilities they are only further screwed.

Maybe we could ask ourselves how some of the moneys we're saving by increasing our personal oil independence could be used to assist those unfortunate folks.

Just a thought.

And when the economy goes south because the cost of fuel skyrockets and unemployment rates rise, we'll all have more time to bike. So what's there to gloat about?

We can gloat and pat ouselves on the back as much as we like, but what about all of those who are too physically challanged to cycle? What are they supposed to do? If they can afford gasoline they are fine, if they are already financially depleted due to health care costs associated with their disabilities they are only further screwed.

Maybe we could ask ourselves how some of the moneys we're saving by increasing our personal oil independence could be used to assist those unfortunate folks.

Just a thought.

This is precisely why I have long expressed my opinion that non-disabled people are just being selfish by driving everywhere they go. There is a limited, finite amount of cheap fuel available, and it is running out quickly. Using that fuel to go on joyrides when it is needed to grow and transport our food and for the mobility of disabled people is inappropriate, in my opinion. Obviously, the majority of Americans disagrees with me.

I'm not quite ready to commute 15 miles each way in the snow. Maybe in a few months when the snow is gone, though...

This is precisely why I have long expressed my opinion that non-disabled people are just being selfish by driving everywhere they go. There is a limited, finite amount of cheap fuel available, and it is running out quickly. Using that fuel to go on joyrides when it is needed to grow and transport our food and for the mobility of disabled people is inappropriate, in my opinion. Obviously, the majority of Americans disagrees with me.

Myopic post.

For better or worse the fact is that most people live where to work and shop they have no choice but to drive. Plus, many of us live where there is winter. I mean real winter like the other day here when it was -35F with 35mph winds.

Nope, the decision on how we in America were going to get around was pretty well cast in concrete when GM bought out the public transportation systems and closed them and was finished when the interstate system was built. Now it is a matter of how we are going to do what we do most efficiently. Most of the time that does not include bicycles.

Myopic post.

For better or worse the fact is that most people live where to work and shop they have no choice but to drive. Plus, many of us live where there is winter. I mean real winter like the other day here when it was -35F with 35mph winds.

Nope, the decision on how we in America were going to get around was pretty well cast in concrete when GM bought out the public transportation systems and closed them and was finished when the interstate system was built. Now it is a matter of how we are going to do what we do most efficiently. Most of the time that does not include bicycles.

I suspect that you would have a rough time convincing the throngs of folks that are moving back into the cities of that.

All three of our daughters moved into cities from the Suburbia they had been accustomed to. One drives (a motorcycle) and the other two prefer mass transit and choose not to own motor vehicles. My wife's niece, a real estate agent, owns a motor vehicle only to transport clients around on business with and prefers mass transit for all her personal travel. She grew up on a farm!! They all shop local shops either near their work or their homes, by foot. Their need to drive is extremely minimal and certainly not daily, if at all.

Not everyone can or wants to move back into our cities, but there definately is a migration taking place. It started slowly several years back and is starting to gain momentum. Every one person who chooses transportation other than a personal motor vehicle leaves just a bit more fuel for those who don't or can't.

Barrels are made up of gallons which in turn consist of pints which are made up of cups that are made up of ounces that are made up of drops. Every little bit helps. Three season commuting, car pooling, consolidating trips....it all counts, it all helps, it all matters.

I don't believe that our fate is sealed because everything is too far away. However our fate will be sealed if we choose to believe that we can not adapt.

World wide there is increased urbanization. Just makes for big cities with long transport as job locations change with career changes.

You phrase your argument by creating the horns of a dilemma when, in fact, adaptation is not by abandoning our current transportatiion system. Rather by making it more efficent. We can do that if we stop looking for what isn't and start using what is.

I guess I better stock up on tires and chains...

$5-a-Gallon Gas? Where Are Airfare Prices Headed?
By Kate Rogers
Published February 24, 2011
| FOXBusiness


Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2011/02/24/airfare-increases-travel/#ixzz1EwLeoDgW

We are all watching the Middle East spiral down into chaos and anarchy. Now, the price of oil and all it's refined products start to bump up daily...

I kind of interpreted it as the Middle East emerging into democracy. But because we are now paying for our continued support of the dictator Kaddafi, and that it turns out that our close buddies the Saudis have been cooking the books, the rise shouldn't be too surprising. What goes around comes around, it happened in Iraq and it's happening in Libya and Saudi Arabia.

But it makes me proud to be a bicyclist.

We can gloat and pat ouselves on the back as much as we like, but what about all of those who are too physically challanged to cycle? What are they supposed to do? If they can afford gasoline they are fine, if they are already financially depleted due to health care costs associated with their disabilities they are only further screwed.

Well, I'm guessing that if everyone who wasn't physically disabled took up cycling, that the price of gas would drop enough that it wouldn't be a problem.

The hard part is that so many people have put themselves in situations that are untenable without dependency on a car. But it's not like they didn't get warned, and given time to do something about it. The Arab Oil Embargo was what, 35 years ago. Surely that's time enough to make a few changes.

Myopic post.

For better or worse the fact is that most people live where to work and shop they have no choice but to drive. Plus, many of us live where there is winter. I mean real winter like the other day here when it was -35F with 35mph winds.

Nope, the decision on how we in America were going to get around was pretty well cast in concrete when GM bought out the public transportation systems and closed them and was finished when the interstate system was built. Now it is a matter of how we are going to do what we do most efficiently. Most of the time that does not include bicycles.

Working on the extremes will take a while. However, since over half of all car trips made in this country are less than five miles (I have seen estimates as low as one mile:eek:) I daresay that most of those are not going to compare in long-term importance to providing food for all of us and basic transportation for those who are not capable of walking, cycling or using other less fuel-intensive means. It is my opinion that the people who do this, and that is the majority of us, are either ignorant of the amount of cheap fuel left on the planet, or are being selfish and short-sighted.

As to weather, winter doesn't last all year. Snow isn't impossible to cycle in. Buses still run in many regions, albeit with a time penalty. If Americans only drove when the elements were too harsh for their constitution, we would not be the number one user of oil in the world (we also wouldn't have obesity and type II diabetes epidemics). I would be pretty pleased to wake up tomorrow and find the obviously unnecessary driving had ceased to take place.

Let's check back in on this in 2015. I pick that year because the U.S. military issued a report last year wherein they stated that the cheap oil will cease to be available sometime between 2012 and 2015. I expect that our use will be dramatically curtailed by gasoline prices in excess of $10/gal. Just like miles driven dropped in 2008/2009 in response to a small price spike, I expect we will see a lot of what was considered absolutely necessary driving with cheap fuel is not so necessary with expensive fuel. As Cranky Old Dude said, this will put transportation (and perhaps food) beyond the reach of many of our most vulnerable fellow citizens. I would consider that behavior to be immoral. As I said, most Americans disagree with me.

What are you paying for gas? I filled up the Miata today for $3.29 Diesel was $3.79.

Probably the biggest challenge is to recognize what is reality and differentiate it from our personal lifestyle and political positions that probably don't suit the needs of many others.

"Have you started thinking about ways of promoting our bicycle lifestyles? What have you been thinking - Showing leadership in fuel conservation - or gloating?"

One of the things I've been doing is getting involved in promoting Bike to Work week. A small group of us started this in our community two years ago and it is gaining traction. We have a booth at a business expo this weekend where we will have several bikes on display, show photos of previous BTW weeks and invite participants to sign up for 2011. Registration makes them eligible for prizes ranging from a commuting bicycle to pizzas. Join the fun!

Working on the extremes will take a while. However, since over half of all car trips made in this country are less than five miles (I have seen estimates as low as one mile:eek:) I daresay that most of those are not going to compare in long-term importance to providing food for all of us and basic transportation for those who are not capable of walking, cycling or using other less fuel-intensive means. It is my opinion that the people who do this, and that is the majority of us, are either ignorant of the amount of cheap fuel left on the planet, or are being selfish and short-sighted.

I think you've got an important point. For most people it should not be an exclusive car or bike situation. Most people do need their cars.

But they don't need cars for every trip they make, and often, feet or bike are quite adequate. The short trips are bad on the car as well. The motor is not completely warmed up so that carbon tends to build up more.

People should think of the transportation pyramid, with planes on the top, cars and trucks below that, then public transit, and bikes and walking on the bottom.

I would ride to shop if there was something near the store to lock the bike too.

I once road it to the Dentist figuring that the waiting room would be empty at that time and it was chock full. The poor ladies in the cramped office space let me keep it in there, but it really put them out.

Al

I'm thinking that our destinations need to provide secure places to park our bikes. Whether it's your place of work, a store, a restaurant, a place of recreation or just the public library - they really do need to prepare for the onslaught of workers and patrons on their bikes. For one, I would suggest small cubicles that can be locked with our bikes inside, out of the weather and out of sight.

I'd be happy with an anchored steel bike rack. I've thought of mentioning the idea to Publix and a few others. I could promise to report their act to the local sports editor so they get some PR.

Al

I suspect that you would have a rough time convincing the throngs of folks that are moving back into the cities of that.

All three of our daughters moved into cities from the Suburbia they had been accustomed to. One drives (a motorcycle) and the other two prefer mass transit and choose not to own motor vehicles. My wife's niece, a real estate agent, owns a motor vehicle only to transport clients around on business with and prefers mass transit for all her personal travel. She grew up on a farm!! They all shop local shops either near their work or their homes, by foot. Their need to drive is extremely minimal and certainly not daily, if at all.

I'd be interested in hearing the ages of the people you mention and whether they have children. Speaking purely anecdotely, the folks moving into the cities that I have spoken with seem to be unmarried, unattached, no kids. I've got no statistics, just people I've spoken with over the last year or two. They enjoy what the city has to offer - nightlife, restaurants, contact with other people like themselves. And they've got sufficient income to pay for it all.

Once children enter the equation, it seems the suburbs start to regain attractiveness. Whether it's better schools, the desire to see green space, I cannot say. Again, just my (limited) observation.

It will be interesting to see if market forces ultimately change the urban landscape in the US like some places in Europe. My observation is that in France (at least in the major cities), the poor / under-employed / minorites largely live farther out of the city core and face the long commutes for employment.

Just don't know, we don't have a car, we walk the 6 blocks to the bus stop, every morning, no matter the weather, sometimes looking like the "Michelin Man" and we just get "GAWKED" at by the "morning commuters". Most look at us like, boy I'm sure GLAD I'm not YOU!! I think they'd PAY whatever it took, price per gallon to BE IN A CAR, jmho. My wife commutes the 3 miles to work via bicycle when the temps are above 30F degrees and there's no ICE or snow, otherwise we take the bus or the last resort, a TAXI. So we still "USE OIL", even though "bicycles" are our main source of transportation. We picked the area we live in cause we can "WALK" to many restaurants, a shopping mall, etc. and if we tell folks we "walked" the 2 miles to say "Old Chicago's" for dinner, they damn near FAINT!

It's gona take a LOT of Financial PAIN to get the majority of AMERICANS, to not take their cars to the corner 7-11, much less, ride a bus or a bicycle to work. There's been times that the weather or ICE is so bad the "City Buses" won't run, then we have to bundle up, put on the Yak Traks, (Traction on ice device for your FEET) and walk the 3 miles to her work and then I walk home, not much FUN at -40 F, with the windchill factored in. The folks that live around us in our apt. complex, call us the "Bicycle Weirdos", say were CRAZY, LOL, ya it's gona take a LOT more that a few bicyclists riding to work or $10.00 a gallon gasoline to convince them to "change their ways"! ;)

Our family of 4 has 5 bikes and 2 hybrid cars. We drive way too much, but at least we aren't burning fuel and spewing fumes while waiting at a light. Efficiency can help things, and not only with vehicles. If more stoplights were demand driven, and took traffic flow more into account, it would reduce the amount of fuel wasted while stopped waiting for nobody.

So many times in our desire to be good, concerned citizens we become too focused on marginal things and fail to support and advocate the big things that will make big differences. For example: Probably all the fuel saved if every person on the Bike Forums exclusively used bicycles for all transportation pales in comparison to what is used by trucks hauling freight between Indianapolis and Chicago. If that freight were hauled by train instead there would be huge fuel savings and environmental improvement.

Another example is the person who is quite proud of and brags about their efforts to reduce their trash. They even go to the extreme of removing what packaging they consider to be excess and leaving it at the store. The motive is laudable. The action is, at best, self-deluding. The packaging is still there. It is just being disposed of at the store instead. If they were serious the person would work with the manufacturer and retailer to not have the excess packaging there in the first place.

Yet a third example is the person not taking into consideration the total picture. Back when BART in the San Francisco area was being designed one of the benefits being touted was fuel savings by commuters. An analyst showed that BART would have to operate at full capacity for nearly a hundred years just to break even on the amount of fuel used in construction. There were and are benefits to BART but fuel savings were not one of them.

I wonder how long a person would have to ride a bike in place of a car to offset the resources used manufacturing it and getting it to the end user?

I wonder how long a person would have to ride a bike in place of a car to offset the resources used manufacturing it and getting it to the end user?

Pretty sure the cost of manufacturing the car is more significant than the cost of manufacturing the bike. You need to include both for a forward-looking comparison. You can say the car is already built, but if so, you can say the same thing for a bike - buy a used one.

Reuse beats recycling every time, and is a great way to have impact. If you have something you aren't using, sell it, or give it to someone who needs it so they don't have to buy something that needs to be manufactured.

Pretty sure the cost of manufacturing the car is more significant than the cost of manufacturing the bike. You need to include both for a forward-looking comparison. You can say the car is already built, but if so, you can say the same thing for a bike - buy a used one.

Reuse beats recycling every time, and is a great way to have impact. If you have something you aren't using, sell it, or give it to someone who needs it so they don't have to buy something that needs to be manufactured.

Absolutely, use it until it is no longer useful. If you are done with something find a home for it with someone who needs the item.

Guess I should have been more explicit about manufacturing cost. I was thinking of someone who did not have a work bike buying one. Just how long would they have to use to the exclusion of a car it to offset cost of getting it to the user.

In the same vein; as I travel I see literally hundreds, if not thousands of used cars and trucks sitting on lots all over the US and Canada. Seems to be a waste. Wonder what it would cost to recycle their components and materials?

I'd be interested in hearing the ages of the people you mention and whether they have children. Speaking purely anecdotely, the folks moving into the cities that I have spoken with seem to be unmarried, unattached, no kids. I've got no statistics, just people I've spoken with over the last year or two. They enjoy what the city has to offer - nightlife, restaurants, contact with other people like themselves. And they've got sufficient income to pay for it all.

Once children enter the equation, it seems the suburbs start to regain attractiveness. Whether it's better schools, the desire to see green space, I cannot say. Again, just my (limited) observation.

It will be interesting to see if market forces ultimately change the urban landscape in the US like some places in Europe. My observation is that in France (at least in the major cities), the poor / under-employed / minorites largely live farther out of the city core and face the long commutes for employment.

I was 26 and my bride was 24 when we bought our home in the city in 1977. We're slightly older now of course, but we're still in that same house. We raised our three children there and rather than settle for the horrific City School System we used private schools. All three were sucessful in persuing Bachelor's degrees in the fields of their choosing. Two are currently gainfully employed and one is in Grad school.

Since my job, actually all three of them over the past 34 years, and several grociery stores and shopping areas were within easy cycling distance to our home (by design) the cost savings from not needing to travel much at all by car offset the education costs. We always bought used cars and ran them to the point of un-usability. Our car now is 16 years old with 154,000 miles on it and we have no thoughts of replacing it anytime soon.

Rochester is a small city and it is shrinking. Our three daughters range in age from 25 to 21 and are following in our footsteps. The one who does drive lives only five miles from her job and accross the street from shopping. She's in L.A., quite a bit bigger than Rochester. The other two are just establishing their homes, one in Chicago and the other in New York City. None of them seem very interested in living out in Suburbia, far from their jobs and shopping.

My brother-in-laws daughter is in her late 30's and works in central Philidelphia. She lives in an old home in the center of the city with her two large dogs and her Boy Friend. She despises driving.

So yes, it can be done. One can live in the city and lead a very conservative lifestyle and still raise children. We managed to do it on one income (occasionally suplimented by part time work by my bride) and neither one of us has a College Education.

Personally I feel that I and the wife are Car-Light. What scares me is the fact that she is barely ambulatory anymore. Her only way of getting from point A to point B is by motor vehicle or bus. We are on a busline, but the rigors of bus stops etc. are physically difficult and painful for her. I own a Conversion Van outfitted for the possibility that she becomes wheelchair bound. At $4.00 per gallon it costs $140.00 to fill up the tank. I fear we'll get to the point where I can no longer get her out of the house for simple pleasures such as Lunch at the neighborhood Restaurant due to the cost of fuel coupled with the devestating financial burden we are facing with this still broken healthcare system.

Wife walks to work every day unless its a downpour or blizzard, in winter I drive my truck (12 miles per gallon) but as soon as the snows gone its strictly bike to work everyday. Just put new wheels on the bike and just ordered some new fenders hopefully by mid March its back to riding everyday.

We can only gloat so much. As cyclists, there is one thing we all like to do, as much as riding our bikes, and we all know what that is, don't we? ;) Yes, we like to eat! :D
Food, and lots of it. As fuel prices spiral up, so will grocery prices. So, own a car or not, it's going to cost everyone.

I'm understanding that if the Muslim Brotherhood expands its revolution into Saudi Arabia, then oil may be in short supply in the USA. They and Hugo Chavez in Venezuela have a mutual dislike for the United States, and have mentioned how they want to damage us however they can. Should they prevail, I'm thinking that there will be gas rationing like back in the early 1970s - and auto drivers will be up the creek.

I know there's a sort of diminished status that comes with bicycle and bus commuting. Many people assume you're either too poor to have a car, or you've had your driver's license suspended for too many DUIs or whatever. But when you can't get gasoline or diesel at any price, bicycles will suddenly be seen in an entirely different light. Or so I'm thinking.

I did farm & ranch and rural commercial real estate in Colorado for over 30 years. I owned two real estate offices in what were then rural towns (Kiowa and Castle Rock) and drove either my Dodge Ram 4x4 pickup truck or my Hummer H-1 from home to the office, and then out on site to show my various listings. Huge fuel consumption. I had mounts for my bikes in the back, and that's how I transported the bikes to the city where I rode, mostly. Funny seeing a mountain bike mounted on the back of a big Humvee...

These days, I manage marinas. Still mostly rural settings. But bicycle riding is all around the marina and into town and beyond. And fuel consumption is way low. The coming fuel crisis will really hurt power boats, and I assume, will boost sailboat sales.

I've been hoping and praying for a couple of marinas in Panama. If I prevail, I want a large boat to live on. The one I've found is 191-ft. long and takes on 40,000 gallons of fuel for a fill up. Based and flagged out of Panama, it will make sense to swing over to Venezuela to top off the tanks - local price there is only 25 cents per gallon!

Wow. After reading this, I do have to say this. One of my buddies is a bike mechanic at a shop where I used to moonlight as a mechanic as well. His quote, when I asked him and the owner about what happened during the Arab Oil Embargo, was succinct. "Never underestimate the laziness of Americans."
Just today, my local paper posted an article about how local drivers were getting irate at the high price of gas. All I can say is that we have the power in our hands to adapt and improve, but so many don't want to. All I can do is shrug, and keep biking to work, shop, etc. And I live in a sprawled out suburb in the northeast, where we got snowalloped.

The BIG plus side to this is that even before the recession hit, and once the first oil price spikes hit in 2008, the bicycling business has been BOOMING, in all areas, and considering that my profession is in that business, business rocks! So yeah, I'm going to be cheering higher gas prices, if that's what it takes to wean us off of, or to use a lot less oil.

Very interesting thread...I frequently drive my 71-year-old car, that I've 'recycled' by putting in a '64 Chevy V8 motor upgraded with a cam & speed parts that allow me 20+ mpg and about 300 horsepower. On the other hand, I'm not exactly guilt-stricken about continuing to drive it, because I've always ridden bicycles, to and from work, and for pleasure. I bicycled in Denver, CO when the only 'bike path' ran less than two miles, street-level, along Speer Blvd. between Broadway and Colfax Ave., so I figure I'm using the gas, now, in my street rod, when I drive it, that I've saved, over the years, by bicycling.

Have bicycled 300,000+ miles since the early 1970s.
Remember buying gaoline at 12c a gallon in the early 50s.
My pedaling has not affected gasoline prices one iota!

Yeah, watch people run around in circles with their arms waving in the air, screaming, as gasoline prices go through $5, $7, $10 per gallon. And eventually, when there simply isn't enough to go around. Kids and old ladies simply won't be able to realize they can walk or ride a bike. It just won't occur to them.

Yeah, watch people run around in circles with their arms waving in the air, screaming, as gasoline prices go through $5, $7, $10 per gallon. And eventually, when there simply isn't enough to go around. Kids and old ladies simply won't be able to realize they can walk or ride a bike. It just won't occur to them.

I think you're right. I went to one of the MoveOn rallies in support of the people in Wisconsin today. Afterwards a couple of people were arguing vehemently which was better to buy, a Dodge with Japanese parts or a Toyota truck made in Kentucky. I had nothing to lose so I suggested that perhaps they would both be better off bicycling. That got the fur flying.

Have bicycled 300,000+ miles since the early 1970s.
Remember buying gasoline at 12c a gallon in the early 50s.
My pedaling has not affected gasoline prices one iota!

Nope. I bet it has affected you, though... in a good way.

But if 20% of the population was riding as you have, I bet there'd be a drop.

Yeh, cycling has kept us quite fit and healthy.
At age 78 I still pedal 100 (+/-) miles a week.
Kay, my wife/stoker has ridden over 230,000 miles with me on tandems since 1975.
We do have a car, but we are not enslaved by it . . .
Pedal on!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Every dime that fuel increases in price, bicycling becomes more appealing to the masses. If only they were smart enough to figure it out.

I'm thinking that there may be a fortune in making and selling bicycle enclosures for public places. Bicycle lockers, maybe two-high, that are attractive yet secure from the outside. I can see how they will be more and more in demand at restaurants, places of employment, light rail stations, stores, bars... Anyone interested?

For example...

http://www.cycle-safe.com/cyclelockers.tab.aspx

http://www.bike-parking.ca/Bike_Lockers

http://www.ameribike.com/catalog/bike/locker-intro.html

Both bikes are tuned up and are ridden regularly. :beer:
My wife doesn't ride so we bought one of these yesterday for our around town errands and for short trips -- 29 mpg in town and 40 mpg on the highway -- and it's NOT a hybrid. Looks like a winner. :thumb:
The dealer only had one in stock (red :eek:) so we ordered what we wanted -- white. Should be here in a week or two. :)
The back seat folds down and I think (hope) the bike will fit in the back.

http://www.hyundaiusa.com/images/HyundaiUSA/Vehicles/gallery/Elantra/2011/Big_thumbnail/03.jpg

His quote, when I asked him and the owner about what happened during the Arab Oil Embargo, was succinct. "Never underestimate the laziness of Americans."

Just today, my local paper posted an article about how local drivers were getting irate at the high price of gas. All I can say is that we have the power in our hands to adapt and improve, but so many don't want to.

I hear you there. I remember the Arab Oil Embargo. I was the only person in my illustration class who made it to every class session. And I was from out of district. Everyone else got caught in a gas line. It was amazing how much effort people put into staying in their cars. I couldn't call it lazy, getting up an hour early to go sit in a gas line for 45 minutes. But I could call it stupid.

I'm not sure that don't want to is even sufficient a description, more like they just can't conceive it. It's like trying to explain medicine to your dog.

Wow. After reading this, I do have to say this. One of my buddies is a bike mechanic at a shop where I used to moonlight as a mechanic as well. His quote, when I asked him and the owner about what happened during the Arab Oil Embargo, was succinct. "Never underestimate the laziness of Americans."
Just today, my local paper posted an article about how local drivers were getting irate at the high price of gas. All I can say is that we have the power in our hands to adapt and improve, but so many don't want to. All I can do is shrug, and keep biking to work, shop, etc. And I live in a sprawled out suburb in the northeast, where we got snowalloped.

The BIG plus side to this is that even before the recession hit, and once the first oil price spikes hit in 2008, the bicycling business has been BOOMING, in all areas, and considering that my profession is in that business, business rocks! So yeah, I'm going to be cheering higher gas prices, if that's what it takes to wean us off of, or to use a lot less oil.

Heh-heh. I like that quote from your Mechanic, about never underestimating the laziness of Americans. Mind if I use it? Is does seem rather odd, doesn't it, that Americans get all bent out of shape when they can't get a parking space "close to the door",, of the fitness club? File under "WTF".

I remember the gas lines of the early 70s, even though I wasn't driving at the time.
I recall people pulling all sorts of "stunts" to get gas, and I do remember some resorting to acts of violence and theft. These days, most gas stations have gone to a "pay before you pump" policy, to prevent people driving off without paying.

So, will gas prices of eight dollars, or nine dollars, or even ten dollars per gallon get people out of their SUV's? Possibly, but I wouldn't hold my breath on it. Even at those prices, I expect we'll still see lines of luxury SUV's in front of elementary schools, while the bike racks, if they have them, remain empty.

Just my thoughts, your actual results may vary.

Like the families losing their homes to foreclosure, but they make sure their cable-tv gets paid and not disconnected. They all have fancy cell phones and drink store-bought bottled water. The hell with the house...

I think you're right. I went to one of the MoveOn rallies in support of the people in Wisconsin today. Afterwards a couple of people were arguing vehemently which was better to buy, a Dodge with Japanese parts or a Toyota truck made in Kentucky. I had nothing to lose so I suggested that perhaps they would both be better off bicycling. That got the fur flying.

Reminds me of the local "natural food" store. Lot is always filled with trucks and SUVs carrying a single person.

We can gloat and pat ouselves on the back as much as we like, but what about all of those who are too physically challanged to cycle?

Many of the "ten dollar a gallon gas is great" gloaters here on Bike Forums remind me of the rectal hat at work who told me the disabled should be "put down" at birth. He drives a SmartCar, BTW.

Many of the "ten dollar a gallon gas is great" gloaters here on Bike Forums remind me of the rectal hat at work who told me the disabled should be "put down" at birth. He drives a SmartCar, BTW.

I am sure there is direct correlation between those two bits of information... Not!

I am sure there is direct correlation between those two bits of information... Not!

There is a connection, but it's a bit early to send the thread to Politics and Religion.....

There is a connection, but it's a bit early to send the thread to Politics and Religion.....

But I guess you are going to try to get it there anyway? By making one of those, "I don't want to get political, but let me get my political comment in before the thread is locked" posts?

But I guess you are going to try to get it there anyway? By making one of those, "I don't want to get political, but let me get my political comment in before the thread is locked" posts?

Beg pardon, but hasn't the entire thread been about politics? It's a discussion about the impact of oil prices, isn't it?

There is a super-massive fusion reactor that is pumping out more energy than we'll ever need located a mere 93 million or so miles from us. It delivers gigawatts of energy to us every second - we just need to learn to better harness that energy rather than worrying so much about the depleted hydrocarbon reserves that were created by that very same fusion reactor in the form of the great forests of the Carboniferous period.

We'll probably always need hydrocarbons, but I believe that we should try to use them for something better than powering less-than-efficient internal combustion engines.

Regardless, I'll still ride my bike because it helps keep me fit and because I enjoy cycling.

Reminds me of the local "natural food" store. Lot is always filled with trucks and SUVs carrying a single person.

Let me guess,, Whole Foods, right?

There's two of them in the City of Newton, an upscale suburb west of Boston.
Parking lots are always filled with luxury SUV's, with a few BMWs and mercedes sprinkled in here and there. And yes, when I see them entering or exiting the lots, they are almost always being driven by a single female. (With cell phone glued to ear)

As for the "ten dollar a gallon gas is great for us cyclists!" people, they seem to be forgetting that food costs will go up as a result of this. I don't know any cyclist who doesn't like to eat. So, they might want to rethink their thinking on this.