Agreed. I even started a website about cutting back on oil use (see sig). The forum rules on advertising probably prevent me from saying anything more about this, except the caveat that it's not quite ready for a lot of public use yet and so I haven't officially "launched" it, but you're welcome to look it over and give me feedback.

An alternative to single-occupancy car commuting had been something I'd wanted to do even before 9/11, but that, and moving closer to my office shortly afterwards, was the catalyst that pushed me to try bike commuting. Frankly, if the public transportation was decent for my route, I'd probably do that more, but it's not. (From one suburb to another, 5 miles, 10 mins by car or 20 by bike, would involve two city busses with a change downtown, for over an hour of bus time!) I used to live about 16 miles away, out in the country where the rural roads are mostly shoulderless and on which cars travel at 50+ mph. This is one aspect of rural living that makes it problematic for bike commuting, as has been discussed elsewhere on these forums. Most of my co-workers are in this situtation.

The fitness is a good plus, and I know that my cardiovascular fitness has improved since I started. Oddly, I have actually developed high blood pressure, which is the opposite of what should happen, but it runs in my family and I'm approaching 40, so my doctor feels it's just a coincidence.

We have also decided to cut back to one car, since mine also now sits in the driveway most of the time. Getting to be not worth the registration, insurance, and maintenance for using it once every other week or so. As soon as the snow melts a little more!