Get out the bikes! Gas $4.09/gal in Seattle.

[shootingstar]

Knotted: Several years ago, I owned my own condo and its parking spot. It was a pkg. deal.

For the first few years, I didn't even bother to figure out where my own parking spot was...that blew away my partner. He wasn't living with me at that time...

But I figure I better investigate...before someone else stole my parking spot.

I also owned a place 1/2 block away from the subway station. In cycling seasons, I biked most of the time. Subway was handy for snowy/lousy weather.

Right now, we live a 15-min. walk away from the closest commuter train station. Next year there will be another one just as close but in a different direction, going to more places.

More choices and my bikes (3). Who cares about gasoline..especially if one doesn't have young children.

[Aggie_Ama]

My husband had the pump cut him off at $90 when he was filling up his truck Friday. He loves that truck but is trying to find ways to keep it parked as much as possible. My tiny Dodge Caliber has a 13.5 gallon tank, I filled it up Saturday for over $43 and it wasn't empty yet.

Needless to say, our bikes are on the back of my car for our hybrid commute tomorrow. We will park half way (13 miles for me, 10 miles for him) and ride to work. At this point we haven't even bought commuters, our bikes are far from the ideal commuters but he has already done it twice. This will be my maiden voyage. We figure only commuting 3 days a week will save us around $40 a week with gas prices right now.

[KnottedYet]

And that $40/week can be used to buy BIKE GOODIES!!!!

Whooo-hooooo!

[F8th637]

And that $40/week can be used to buy BIKE GOODIES!!!!

Whooo-hooooo!

And that's $2080 a year. . which is a VERY nice bike!

[Geonz]

That was my thought sitting on the train going to Chicago and thinking "do I need a folder?" and how kewl it would be to have one with me... but ... hunnerts of dollers...
But... it's 1/30 of the price o fa car.
I've got that Dahon now ... our gas is only about 3.50 ...

[deedolce]

I certainly am very conscious of combining trips or doing without completely!

I see so many more bikes now, even in bike friendly Davis. Actually a good thing, I see more families, when a year or two ago, it was just the die hard commuters.

If anything, I'm thinking of getting a touring bike, that I can put my racks and panniers on, so I can go longer afield comfortably, and shop in neighboring towns of Dixon, Woodland, Vacaville!

[KnottedYet]

Like this?

[kelownagirl]

I love Kelowna but it's not very easy to commute here. I could never go without a car, probably not even for a week...

[Bad JuJu]

Needless to say, our bikes are on the back of my car for our hybrid commute tomorrow. We will park half way (13 miles for me, 10 miles for him) and ride to work. At this point we haven't even bought commuters, our bikes are far from the ideal commuters but he has already done it twice. This will be my maiden voyage. We figure only commuting 3 days a week will save us around $40 a week with gas prices right now.

Amanda, I'm so interested in hearing how your hybrid commute works out! This is something I've been contemplating doing for a while, but until now, with high gas prices, I just haven't been motivated enough. Already have a bike I can use as a commuter, just need to think about strategy details. Where are you leaving your car? Is it a relatively safe place? Please let us know how it goes.

[Aggie_Ama]

Amanda, I'm so interested in hearing how your hybrid commute works out! This is something I've been contemplating doing for a while, but until now, with high gas prices, I just haven't been motivated enough. Already have a bike I can use as a commuter, just need to think about strategy details. Where are you leaving your car? Is it a relatively safe place? Please let us know how it goes.

The AM Commute went great! We parked our car at a well lit supermarket, with ample parking. The weather was really cool which meant only my hair got sweaty under my skull cap. Ended up being 11.97 miles, I rode hard (so easy to do with a tailwind on my roadie) and only took 40 minutes. We had to get up 40 minutes earlier to ride but I got to spend 7 miles with DH and we met a commuter that rides every day! It was really a fun morning, I am wondering how the afternoon will go. Today is my day to ride all the way home (23 or so miles).

Oh and we had mapped on my commute and done it twice prior to today. I knew where the roads with those road humps were, where to turn and my exact route. That really increased my comfort level. If I keep this up I will really rack up the bike journal miles.

[short cut sally]

I drive one of those big honkin' 4 wheel drive diesels..4.55 gallon last week. I minimize my driving just to work and back. Am considering getting a moped or dirt bike to drive back and forth to work.. I would ride my bike, but coming home at midnight 1am every night when the bars just got out is not my cup of tea. Hence why I drive a truck, way too many drunks in vehicles my size out there and I do want some protection..I did have a small car before and just about getting in 2 accidents by people in my lane (driving the wrong way) I opted for safety (DH opted for diesel). If I didn't have a fear that late at night, I would consider another little econo box for a car...however, I can ride my bike all day long and not think about the drunk driver-which I guess I should. The econo box of a vehicle offers alittle more protection than being on the bike that's for sure.

[kat_h]

A quick reminder to everyone who still needs to drive sometimes (including me) :

- make sure your tires are properly inflated
- replace your air filter recently
- get tune ups regularly including new spark plugs and checking the timing
- clean out the trunk. get rid of heavy stuff that you don't need to carry around

All of those will improve your fuel efficiency. We tend to focus on the dramatic changes but the things add up too.

[F8th637]

Great tips, kat_h!

I started driving the speed limit for the first time since I've probably gotten my license. I had to put it on cruise control but at least I felt like I was helping myself. . some.

[Bad JuJu]

The AM Commute went great! We parked our car at a well lit supermarket, with ample parking. The weather was really cool which meant only my hair got sweaty under my skull cap. Ended up being 11.97 miles, I rode hard (so easy to do with a tailwind on my roadie) and only took 40 minutes. We had to get up 40 minutes earlier to ride but I got to spend 7 miles with DH and we met a commuter that rides every day! It was really a fun morning, I am wondering how the afternoon will go. Today is my day to ride all the way home (23 or so miles).

Oh and we had mapped on my commute and done it twice prior to today. I knew where the roads with those road humps were, where to turn and my exact route. That really increased my comfort level. If I keep this up I will really rack up the bike journal miles.

Thanks for the tips! I only have to be on campus two or three days a week, so I just need to decide...to do it!

[Deborajen]

Boy, watching gas prices go up and up I'd love to commute by bike right now. I'm going to wait a few months, though. There is a bridge closed for rebuild on a main road between home and work that's sending lots of crazy rush-hour traffic through my normally quiet neighborhood route. It's scary enough in the car - forget the bike!

Somebody did call the opinion line recently for our local newspaper and made a comment that with high gas prices, now it's time to spend some money to finish and fix up the bike routes "because that'll be the only way some people will be able to afford to get to work anymore." It was probably smart-a$$, but I'll take it!

Deb