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

[Brandi]

$88.01 to fill up our truck yesterday! I told my dh not to go nuts when he saw how much it was going to cost. We have one car between us. And I have my scooter. It cost me like $2.25 maybe to fill the tank and that last's me about 100 miles. I ride it on most of my domestic errands. But when we have to go into town in the truck (which is about 20 minutes down the road), we make sure we do a few things not just 1 thing.
I don't know maybe having just one car doesn't hurt us as much at the pump? But it is a truck, we have to have it for work too there is no getting around that. I just try and ride my scooter as much as I can.

[SouthernBelle]

I think part of the problem we have in North America is that we are so spread out in some areas. I'm looking for a bike suitable for commuting, but my commute is less than 2 miles. I'm less than a mile from a grocery. I live in town. But I know people who are many miles from either. Often those in more densely populated areas don't get that.

Also I've noted that the days of the country grocery store seem to be past.

[Jolt]

I think part of the problem we have in North America is that we are so spread out in some areas. I'm looking for a bike suitable for commuting, but my commute is less than 2 miles. I'm less than a mile from a grocery. I live in town. But I know people who are many miles from either. Often those in more densely populated areas don't get that.

I think you've hit the nail on the head. In a lot of areas, things just aren't set up in a way to be conducive to walking or biking to get to work or get errands done. My parents and two sisters, for example, live in western NJ and it's a fifteen-minute drive (and not because of stop and go) just to get to the grocery store, Walmart etc., and a lot of those trips are along a busy, high-speed route. Not the best setup for utility cycling, and plus it's VERY hilly (puts the Worcester area to shame in that department!!) to boot.