Quote Originally Posted by lph View Post
As an aside, I was at a seminar today where a speaker commented that the vast majority of trips by car were quite short ones, ie. "trips of convenience". (so that making electric-powered cars capable of driving just a bit further than they do today on one charge would make them much more appealing to buyers.)

I had to really bite my tongue to not yell out "well try riding a BIKE instead!"
Oh, I know! Talk about totally over-engineering a solution!

"Here's Ms.Knot, driving her AWD station-wagon 1.25 miles to Costco to buy groceries. My, what a waste of gas and what wear-and-tear on her combustion engine, since it can't get up to operating temperature on such a short trip. I know, let's put her into a $30,000 electric car for those trips!"

Ms. Knot raises her hand: "But I have 3 bikes and a cargo trailer... maybe I should just get off my lazy butt and ride to Costco with my trailer?"

I was really pleased when my Costco installed a BEAUTIFUL rubber-coated and roomy new bike rack on a concrete pad safely away from the shopping cart storage area. I told them "thanks." That rack is usually at least half full. I must admit though that I haven't done a Costco run by bike since early this summer.