I don't expect a mass exodus away from cars. However, when gas prices got outrageous in the summer, I personally decided to live car-free to the greatest extent possible. It's my small contribution to the green movement, and it's a protest against the price-gouging of the oil producers. Besides, it just feels good to ride everywhere.

Now that it's getting cold in N. California (yeah, go ahead and laugh!), it's putting me to the test, but I haven't faltered yet. I recently even mounted fenders on both my commute/utility bikes.