Interesting Article re: Fuel Prices and Cycling

[mimitabby]

i like this part:

In the town of Aylesbury in southern England, the number of people cycling has increased by 300 percent since the start of a promotion of bike transport launched at the end of 2005.

"Cycling is now a main mode of transport for over 10 percent of Aylesbury residents," said Simon Glover, the town's cycling team leader, who says Aylesbury commuters can save over 600 pounds ($1,200) in two years by cycling to work instead of driving

[michelem]

I sure wish this was an option for me, but no, I must be available at any given moment to jump in my car and drive . . . to the post office, to the office supply store, to wherever the attorneys don't want to go (yes, being a paralegal AND the only support staff in an office of 4 attorneys is not all it's cracked up to be). And to think, our office building even has a shower facility! Sigh . . .

[Irulan]

I sure wish this was an option for me, but no, I must be available at any given moment to jump in my car and drive . . . to the post office, to the office supply store, to wherever the attorneys don't want to go (yes, being a paralegal AND the only support staff in an office of 4 attorneys is not all it's cracked up to be). And to think, our office building even has a shower facility! Sigh . . .

I can't think of why you couldn't do this on a bike. I routinely go to the post office, drug store, printers,deliver packages to UPS with my trailer, etc. If you want to make it happen you probably could. Cars are just a few minutes faster is all.

I like the sign in my local LBS = for six tanks of gas you could have bought a bike...

[mimitabby]

I can't think of why you couldn't do this on a bike. I routinely go to the post office, drug store, printers,deliver packages to UPS with my trailer, etc. If you want to make it happen you probably could. Cars are just a few minutes faster is all.

I like the sign in my local LBS = for six tanks of gas you could have bought a bike...

+++++

[Blueberry]

I sure wish this was an option for me, but no, I must be available at any given moment to jump in my car and drive . . . to the post office, to the office supply store, to wherever the attorneys don't want to go (yes, being a paralegal AND the only support staff in an office of 4 attorneys is not all it's cracked up to be). And to think, our office building even has a shower facility! Sigh . . .

That sucks Does your office reimburse you for mileage? It really bugs me that our messengers have to drive as they do (300+ person firm). Could you argue that you should be able to bike and be reimbursed less? Also, lots of places like the supply store will deliver. Of course, some of the attorney expect lunch brought to them - that's a whole 'nother kettle of fish (and no - other than mediations and depositions, I've never asked someone to do that...and wouldn't).

CA

[michelem]

Thanks for the suggestions, but I am talking last-minute stuff. I had typed out a typical example, but realized posting details that could be figured out by someone I work with is probably not a smart idea! Suffice it to say, everything is always last minute in my office, and always a crisis. In the past two weeks I've had to do some last-minute close to 50-mile round-trip jaunts that just wouldn't be feasible by bike.

Not the same as the great outdoors, but I've been getting on the trainer in the evenings for some good ol' stress relief! Yoga works wonders as well . . .

And, yes, I'm reimbursed for mileage for the long trips, but not the ones 5 miles or under -- my boss says those should be considered a "donation," but they add up, you know? So, I'm starting to think I might put in expense reports for them and see what happens . . .

[lph]

I could never have your job, if there's one thing I HATE it's running errands in a hurry, in the city, by car. In fact, within the inner city travelling by bike is faster here. Not to mention more flexible as you can use walkways and paths if you need to, and a lot less stressful. (But that may have something to with that I'm about 100 times better at riding a bike than driving a car )
But bike messengers do vastly outnumber car messengers here.

Cool article, btw!

[uk elephant]

...In fact, within the inner city travelling by bike is faster here. Not to mention more flexible as you can use walkways and paths if you need to, and a lot less stressful...

It's the same in most cities I think. They did a fun test on Top Gear last year (a car show about cars for car people), getting across London in different ways. The cyclist won, then taking a boat down the river, then public transit. The car was by far the slowest way of getting across town. They've done similar "tests" before where the guy running even gets across town before the guy driving. Hence more people in London are now cycling, and the latest policy change is to allow cyclists to cut through one-way streets the wrong way rather than have to go all the way around on busy roads.

[Blueberry]

Thanks for the suggestions, but I am talking last-minute stuff. I had typed out a typical example, but realized posting details that could be figured out by someone I work with is probably not a smart idea! Suffice it to say, everything is always last minute in my office, and always a crisis. In the past two weeks I've had to do some last-minute close to 50-mile round-trip jaunts that just wouldn't be feasible by bike.

Not the same as the great outdoors, but I've been getting on the trainer in the evenings for some good ol' stress relief! Yoga works wonders as well . . .

And, yes, I'm reimbursed for mileage for the long trips, but not the ones 5 miles or under -- my boss says those should be considered a "donation," but they add up, you know? So, I'm starting to think I might put in expense reports for them and see what happens . . .

Well...I can guess based on the behavior of some of my colleagues (our messengers have had to walk dogs, pick up dry cleaning and drive 90 miles an hour to get a filing done in time that could have been ready yesterday).

You might want to talk to your CPA re the miles, if you can't get them reimbursed. You may be able to deduct it. If you can't expense it, that is. Our receptionist at my old firm did all the court house runs, and she submitted 1 expense report a week.

CA

[bmccasland]

And, yes, I'm reimbursed for mileage for the long trips, but not the ones 5 miles or under -- my boss says those should be considered a "donation," but they add up, you know? So, I'm starting to think I might put in expense reports for them and see what happens . . .

If you bosses want you do "donate" the short distances, let them donate use of their vehicle too. So if you donate 10 five mile trips, that still equals 50 miles. I'd either be submitting an expense report, or tracking all my mileage and writing it off on my taxes. Even if they're paying you a very handsome salary, you're "donating" a lot to the firm. Frankly I think you're being exploited.

[pll]

If you bosses want you do "donate" the short distances, let them donate use of their vehicle too. So if you donate 10 five mile trips, that still equals 50 miles. I'd either be submitting an expense report, or tracking all my mileage and writing it off on my taxes. Even if they're paying you a very handsome salary, you're "donating" a lot to the firm. Frankly I think you're being exploited.

+1

Donation!? Maybe you can ask them to have a company car available to you (that lives in the office and only fuel for office errands) and commute to work by bike. The university where I work reimburses at a rate of 50.5 cents per mile, which is the same rate set by the US General Services Administration.

[michelem]

Well, I work for a non-profit that runs on donations, thus the "donation" comment.

Believe me, I'm keeping my eyes peeled for other job opportunities. It's tough because I am the benefits provider for our family and we couldn't even make our house payment on hubby's income. However, he loves his job and I figure at least one of us should have job fulfillment!

Anyway, I really apologize for hijacking this thread.

I have to say I am all for commuting by bike/foot/public transit. I never even owned a car until very late 20's and loved being able to get everywhere without a car. Especially now that gas is over $4.50 a gallon here (although I never pay that much . . . I wait until my hubby can go with me to Costco and get the $4.29 gas there).

[Tuckervill]

I think there's probably something illegal about a boss requiring a "donation" to the company. But, I'm no lawyer.

eta: Just read Beth's, post, and I see I'm not the only one who is getting all self-righteous with indignation up in here.

Karen

Thanks for the suggestions, but I am talking last-minute stuff. I had typed out a typical example, but realized posting details that could be figured out by someone I work with is probably not a smart idea! Suffice it to say, everything is always last minute in my office, and always a crisis. In the past two weeks I've had to do some last-minute close to 50-mile round-trip jaunts that just wouldn't be feasible by bike.

Not the same as the great outdoors, but I've been getting on the trainer in the evenings for some good ol' stress relief! Yoga works wonders as well . . .

And, yes, I'm reimbursed for mileage for the long trips, but not the ones 5 miles or under -- my boss says those should be considered a "donation," but they add up, you know? So, I'm starting to think I might put in expense reports for them and see what happens . . .