Off Topic - Price of Gasoline

[Adventure Girl]

This is kind of off topic, but since we're all cyclist maybe it's not completly unrelated here...

How much does gasoline cost where you live? I paid $2.50 per gallon for 91 octine (premium) yesterday! Yikes!!:eek:

[trekchic]

I have paid as much as $1.85 for regular unleaded in middle TN. I can't believe it's so high. I am an avid "Bush supporter" but I don't think I'll vote for him if he doesn't do something about the fuel situation. Don't even think he can't influence them to produce more oil to drive prices back down.

I drive a suburban, too! It costs over $80 to fill up my tank and I have to fill up about every 5 days!

I NEED to commute to work! haha!

[massbikebabe]

Here in Massachusetts we are paying $2.07 a gallon for premium.
I am finding that many spots around town gas can run the gamut.
It's disgusting!!




karen

[bounceswoosh]

I drive a suburban, too! It costs over $80 to fill up my tank and I have to fill up about every 5 days!

I NEED to commute to work! haha!

At the risk of sounding callous ... wah!

Come on now. Unless your job happens to involve hauling large furniture, you don't need to drive a suburban to work. You choose to do so. Get a commute car and be done with it. You can even keep the beast around for weekend use.

Granted, I don't know you, so maybe you do have a legit purpose for driving such a beast every day ... but few do. Recognize that it's a decision you made.

I drive a performance car and pay for premium gas, but at least I recognize that it's a choice I made, not some kind of global conspiracy.

[pedalfaster]

Ok, I'm evil, but I would love to see gasoline go up to $ 4 or 5 bucks a gallon. I'd like it to get to the point where Americans would wake up and realize that we can't sustain our car-crazy suburban sprawl culture forever.

I'd love to see more people using bikes/walking/ taking public transportation. I'd love to see the obesity levels drop. I'd love to see "paper-boys" (remember those?!) out riding their bikes every evening again. I'd like to see kids riding to school and over to their friend's houses to play , instead of being shuttled from soccer game to soccer game in mom's big gas hog.

Guess I'm sort of an idealist, huh? :)

[grannydea]

Car-crazy subruban sprawl culture????? tisk tisk.
I happen to like living in the middle of no where where we have to be car-crazy. At least I don't have to worry about stop lights or drunk drivers running me over when I ride.
Gas here in nothern Nevada is up to $2.25. I think it will go down after the holiday. We all (and I mean all americans) could not buy gas for two days and walk or ride non combustible transportation to work or play, and they would think about bringing down the price. WE do love to b***h and whine about gas prices but do nothing to force them to lower it. Just my thought.
Dea

[Biking Chick]

In central Wisconsin regular unleaded is currently selling for $1.99

The price has gone up a nickle in as many days and I'm sure by the time Memorial Week-end arrives we'll be looking at much higher gas prices.

I drive a Ford Escape which gets good mileage but both my husband and I ride our mountain bikes for commutes around town. Hubby rides to work at least three days a week and encourages other people at work to do the same. I use my mountain bike for quick trips to the store or the library - we replaced the nobby tires with Hutchinson Rock & Road tires. It has made a huge difference in city commuting as you don't scrub off speed. The Hutchinson's are also good for riding the Rail Trails (crushed granite etc).

[spokes]

I happen to like living in the middle of no where where we have to be car-crazy.

there's a difference between living in the middle of nowhere and being car--crazy. if you go to the nearest grocery store obviously you can't take your bike, especially if it's really far away. but if you're going down the street or even a ten-minute walk or a 15-minute bike ride away, why not do something else instead of driving?

north americans have been paying far less than what europeans have been paying ffor gas for years. as a consequence, we have a huge car culture, an economy partially dependant on cars and a skyrocketing rate of obesity in both children and adults. so... to keep our economy going we pollute the environment and kill oursleves slowly with food and laziness. makes no sense!




We all (and I mean all americans) could not buy gas for two days ..., and they would think about bringing down the price.

we could all also think about our options and really decide if we need a Hummer for commuting, or a pick-up with a cap that's never been removed. and realize that we're being wasteful, unhealthy, and polluting as a society.

obviuosly it's much easier for people in cities. (except the commuting to work thing. if i still lived where i went to high school, my commute by bike would be 10 minutes, tops!) unfortunately, people living in cities are much more guilty than those living in small towns, because we have many more options and so many still choose a car!

so to this...


I'd like it to get to the point where Americans would wake up and realize that we can't sustain our car-crazy suburban sprawl culture forever.

... i say, amen! i'm an idealist too. ;)

[sno4rent]

Without getting into any debate, I'll just answer the question that was asked:

91 Octane = $2.19/gallon in Boise, Idaho - at the cheapest place that I've seen around town...

~ Wendi

[emily_in_nc]

It's a tough trade-off. I'm an environmentalist, but I choose to live in the country because I like living in a quiet, clean wooded setting with deer, songbirds, and other wildlife rather than near the roar of traffic or lawnmowers. And I like living where I can ride my bike for many miles, straight out from my house, with very little traffic. However, the trade-off of living so far out is that I have to commute 30 miles to work each day and fill my tank with gas at least once a week. I feel bad about that.

Since I'm too far from work to bike-commute (on back roads it would be more like 40+ miles each way), I try to make up for my driving during the week by not driving anywhere at all on weekends whenever possible. For instance, this past Saturday, hubby and I rode our bikes to the nearby farmer's market for veggies, the post office to pick up our mail, and then to another food market for more non-perishable groceries. He had panniers on his bike so could carry everything. We rode our bikes 43 miles on this trip so saved a couple of gallons of gas. And Sunday we rode over and back to a bike club ride, so didn't drive at all either. That's my kind of weekend!

I find myself agreeing with those who have posted that they wish gas would go even higher so that Americans would be forced to change their lifestyles; otoh, for my own selfish reasons, such as liking to take road trips now and then, I hate to see it go too high. No easy answers here....

Emily

[Biking Kitsune]

To think: at one time, I was unhappy with my choice of a geo metro for my 1st car!

We still fill it up every week or week and a half, and in Eugene, the gas prices look like $2.10 for regular unleaded. Still, for the 6 gals it takes to fill 'er up, we spend $12, and that's not half bad...

[kpc]

Here in MD, 2 hrs from DC, gas is hovering around $2/gal. I fill my Honda civc about every ten days. The last time I paid $19 to fill it, used to do that for $14.
I would like to commute to work, but I agree, our car culture makes that difficult. I would have to leave very early to get into work on time. I don't mind getting up early, but riding twisty country roads in the dark (with occasional dogs chasing) is dangerous. Our road is a short cut into the local car assembly plant and people FLY by in their cars. I would LOVE to see less driving. I may start now that the days are getting longer/more sun.
Have you tried walking anywhere? The traffic makes that difficult too.
Anyway, gas prices are outrageous, but it seems incredible that a gallon of gas can make mobility so easy compared to 100 years ago!

[RdDezert]

To answer the topic Q too...in Dallas area, Premium seems to range $1.89-1.90, I buy low grade so it's running $1.79-ish.
Alternative communting and cars, always a hot topic.

[JanT]

I just paid $2.18 a gallon here in Phoenix. I'll probably ride to work at least one day this week. It's pretty hot on the way home, but sure is beautiful on the way in.

[doctorfrau]

$1.89 for regular (87) here in WV yesterday.

I traded in My Durango-boat when I divorced and started med school, cause I couldn't afford to keep up the payments, and I was getting only 11mpg (3 years ago).

Still needed AWD, so I got a used Honda CRV that gets more than twice the gas mileage. I figure by the time I graduate and start earning money again, they will have worked the bugs out of the hybrid engines, so then I get can get one of them instead.

I could theoretically commute via the rail-trail, but it would be a round-about route with several hills, and I would still have to drive to the trailhead. Also, riding in the dark at 5:30 AM isn't really appealling....... Yet:D

[ACG]

I live in the San Gabriel Valley, Pasadena area, gas is $2.25 a gallon. I've seen some places post gas as high as $2.43. I blame many people about the pricing of gas ...

I do not have a SUV, don't really see the need for one for me. Used to have a mini van, when my kids got older, actually one can drive, I got a plain sedan (and a bike rack).

I have to have a car, need to take a child to school, then me tow work, would have to leave home at 6:30 a.m. to get child to school and me towork on a buses, etc.

I ride not for transportation, but for psychological therapy. I run small errands on my bike.

[ACG]

Venting ok. I just found one of those, don't buy gas on May 24, to protest things on the fridge here at work. As I am the facilities manager, I had to take it down and moved it to the employee board.

Why don't these bozos figure out ways to not use thier cars at all, maybe cut down the auto usage a couple of days a week and yikes, bike or carpool, etc. I worked in Downtown L.A. for years and I took the bus, the entire time. I loved it, my gas costs were so low, I filled up only every 2 weeks. I have to cart a kid to school, however I only drive around 11 miles a day total now. During my downtown days I could have been up to 30 miles a day, but I did took the bus.

There are million reasons why the gas is high, I think supply and demand, etc. people here like big cars, we are just spoiled, you name it.

[bounceswoosh]

Okay, I just filled up today. $2.16 for premium in Longmont, CO.

[kpc]

I just got my 4th email trying to get me to participate in the don't buy gas on the 19th to protest the gas companies raising prices. Makes me so annoyed! How about if everyone just turned off their cars when parked instead of running the motors to have A/C when waitng for 15 minutes? Or how about if EVERYONE drove 10 miles less each week? Part of me wants to see gas prices rise so that people might try a little conservation.

[Biking Kitsune]

This might be a little inflamatory, but although I agree totally with your desire to see prices rise to encourage conservation, I have a sinking feeling that the rich or at least high upper-class will still run their SUVs, their air conditioning, their hummers, etc. They'll take them for 'round the block trips, just because they can and will continue to afford it. It'd only be the middle and lower classes that would suffer. True we'd all be getting a bit more exercise, but... I like to afford gas for my car, too. =/ Maybe if there were a tax on vehicles that got less than 20 mpg... ;)

[Kpicha]

Originally posted by RdDezert
To answer the topic Q too...in Dallas area, Premium seems to range $1.89-1.90, I buy low grade so it's running $1.79-ish.
Alternative communting and cars, always a hot topic.

Yeah, that's what it was on Friday when I arrived and by the time I left on Sunday, it had inched up to $1.97 in Plano.

Here in the Northern VA area, it just scooted past $2.00 for regular gas. :(

[Veronica]

I had to do the groceries today and actually bought gad for like the second time this year $2.56/gal for premium.

V.

[Karen London]

Hi girls, just to upset you all, the price of gas in UK is around 85 pence per litre. that's about £3.80 per gallon which is around $7.....

[bounceswoosh]

My husband recently pointed out to me that I'm paying about $2.50 in gas for every day's commute.

Ugh! ... Doing the math, though, it makes perfect sense. I'm sure the new bike rack won't help matters, either.

Part of me wants gas prices to go up, though, so that we'll all feel the need to change our lifestyles.

[jobob]

I'll be in Denmark again in a couple of weeks, tooling around part of the time in a rental car. I'm sure gas is going to cost waaaay more than the $2.35/gal I paid the other day for the 87 octane.

Oh, and not only is the gas expensive, when you buy a car in DK you pay tax amounting to about 2x the purchase price of the vehicle.

It's no wonder bikes are such an integral part of life there!

[Kpicha]

Yeah, that's crazy! I remember when I was travelling through Denmark in 1989 and we were talking to an older gentleman about why no one drove cars. He said the taxes were outrageous and you'd basically be paying about $56k for a Volkswagon Rabbit :eek: and that was back in 1989!

[fultzie]

I drove to Chicago and back this weekend-- $2.19 in A2, $2.09 in IL and $1.99 in Niles, MI for Unleaded.

[bikergirl62]

I didn't have time to read all the replies, but here is my thought sorry if I'm repeating: Hey bike gear manufacturers!!! Come out with some stuff so that we can ride our bikes in all weather and take our kids around safely!!! I've been ready to stop driving for 20 years! I used to bike to work before I had children. I would love to buy gear to make that possible - some kind of cover so that you can ride in the rain - some kind of car level trailer for younger children to ride in.

I live in a small town, we just started a bike club, our first ride was Saturday, we laughed that people probably thought we were trying to make a statement ie, bike vs car.

[jobob]

I'd like a way to bike to work w/o getting killed :rolleyes:

The annoying thing is, I can make it to within about 2 miles on excellent bike-friendly roads and bike paths. The last 2 mile stretch has absolutely no shoulder on one side (it's right up against a soundwall), is full of parked cars and trucks and driveways for light industry & trailer parks on the other, and serves as a shortcut for when the freeway immediately parallel to it backs up (30 mph speed zone, um, notsomuch). Not very safe for cycling.

There is suposedly a bike path in the works for that area, it would be part of the trail that circles the SF Bay, but I haven't heard anything about it lately - it's probably gone the way of everything else in the latest round of CA budget cuts :p

Jo <grumble grumble grouse grouse>

[pkq]

Started commuting to work last week via bike and love it. The best part is making money without spending money for gas and wear and tear on the car. It seems gas prices are high because of the War on Terror, which makes it more costly for freighters to dock "over there." It is also higher because we've lost some refining capacity in Houston.......this came from a friend in Louisiana whose employer makes jet fuel. I also heard on the news this week that Europe's high prices are 75% tax. U.S. citizens are taxed enough and we have enough red tape to strangle our economy. Plus over 60% of the world's economy is oil based so I doubt it's going away soon. We all have personal choices to make for health and life, I personally don't want to return to the old days. I kinda' like modern conveniences in their proper place. Lots of forces at work that I don't understand and probably even more we never hear of.

[moonfroggy]

i agree, and it should cost more for cars to go over bridges, higher bridge tolls and the money could go towards better bike lanes and busses and subways


Originally posted by pedalfaster
Ok, I'm evil, but I would love to see gasoline go up to $ 4 or 5 bucks a gallon. I'd like it to get to the point where Americans would wake up and realize that we can't sustain our car-crazy suburban sprawl culture forever.

I'd love to see more people using bikes/walking/ taking public transportation. I'd love to see the obesity levels drop. I'd love to see "paper-boys" (remember those?!) out riding their bikes every evening again. I'd like to see kids riding to school and over to their friend's houses to play , instead of being shuttled from soccer game to soccer game in mom's big gas hog.

Guess I'm sort of an idealist, huh? :)

[Trek420]

jobob...."There is suposedly a bike path in the works for that area, it would be part of the trail that circles the SF Bay, but I haven't heard anything about it lately - it's probably gone the way of everything else in the latest round of CA budget cuts :p"

Jobob, check with ebbc.org, they might know the status of your road, remind me to send you the e-mail address of the guy there I'd talk to. There's a website for the Bay Trail that itsekf that has that info.

I too live near parts of the Bay Trail and it's odd how it skips some parts and has blank spots. It'll be a great day when it's finished!! I want to ride all the way around the Bay 8-)

TREK

[jobob]

Jobob, check with ebbc.org, they might know the status of your road, remind me to send you the e-mail address of the guy there I'd talk to. There's a website for the Bay Trail that itsekf that has that info. Been there, done that, proving once again that great minds think alike

Rats, I thought I had saved the email but I guess not - otherwise I'd let you know w. whom I corresponded.

Basically, the answer was that there was nothing in the works. :(



If you're interested in riding around the bay, here's one guy's report:

http://www.aigeek.com/photos/2004-biking-around-the-bay/

[spazzdog]

I drive a JEEP Wrangler... an OLD one. It gets crap milage in todays terms (18 hwy) but I rarely drive anymore.

I use regular unleaded (87 octane) and I believe the last time I filled up it was 1.89 at the cash only place.

What does anyone need a HumVee for... unless they're military?
I figure its a mobile sign that says:

" Hi. I had $130K I didn't know what to with so I thought I'd buy this."

[Trek420]

hi jobob, "Been there, done that, proving once again that great minds think alike "

I'm reeeealllly bad with names, Ian something like Ian McDonald sumthin like that.

"Basically, the answer was that there was nothing in the works. :("

Rats

"If you're interested in riding around the bay, here's one guy's report:

[url]http://www.aigeek.com/photos/2004-biking-around-the-bay/"

there's also a charity ride called Go Greenbelt which looks like fun that does it. Anyone done that?

Back to the subject at hand...my infernal combustion vehicle is a '99 Olds Alero, decent mileage but it is the V6 so it doesn't sip. I use public transportation a lot, take our light rail, and average now about 10-12 bike trips a month which will go down once we "fall back" I'm sure. Raise the price of gas as high as you want, most I talk to will not do even my 2-6 mile flat bike laned commute.

I don't want to politicize this board but it's already going there so, wether your reason is global instability, global warming, offshoring of jobs, health crisis resulting from sedentary lifestyle.... whatever we need to reduce our dependance on oil for sure and bikes help. But a lot needs to happen to see more of that.

Some we've already brought up; we need safe routes-the general public is not going to ride the way we TE members do, they need bike lanes, signs and trails

how many times have I heard "I like to ride but each day I have to take the kids to child care and I have to shop for the family" for women/parents especially to get on the road they need to have access to child care and they need routes to services-not sprawl that leads nowhere-this means planning and...

I hope we all have health care ~ would you ride if you didn't??....

But mostly for our American board members we need an end to the cowboy attitude that you're a weanie if you ride a bike or drive anything but a huge car. We need cyclist to be seen as strong athletes and not just "someone who's not in a car"

well, gotta go walk the dog

[Veronica]

There's a family that goes to my school that walks/jogs each morning - about two miles. The girls are in second and third grade I think. They jog a bit, walk a bit. Mom and dad bring them, carrying their backpacks and then jog home together. I think that is so cool. I see them as I ride Fluffy to school. I hope they keep it up even when it turns colder. I can see not doing it in the rain.

V.

[Trek420]

just opened up bicycling magazine's latest, blueprint of how to make your community more bike friendly and guess what city they rate tops for cycling?

Anchorage Alaska. Anyone from there?