$ gas prices = WOW!

[westtexas]

I have mixed feelings about the rise in gas prices. My father is an engineer for a large oil company and rising prices means he keeps his job (or his benefits once he retires). In three weeks I'm moving to a town that is heavily dependent on oil for its economy - so right now it's booming so bad there's a housing shortage. So really, so far in my life, rising gas and oil prices have always signaled better times for me and my family.

One thing I have noticed is that many whom have commented so far on this thread that commute to work frequently or run errands on their bikes with regularity, live in a place where the climate can support that kind of thing. Where I am moving it's already averaging temperature in the upper 90s and they've even had a day that was 102 (admittedly, my whole state is literally on fire right now, so that doesn't help). Where I am now it's in the low 90s to upper 80s but the humidity is typically 90%+. My new town is the dry desert (thank goodness). Even so, I will live ~3 miles from my job and I am hesitant about commuting. I can't even do it here. It's not because of traffic and it's not because there are unsafe routes, but rather it's so hot here that I would be a sweaty, disgusting mess when I arrived. And I work with people all day in a highly professional setting, so this would not be okay (and no shower option at work). So I typically drive the very short distance to work and to all my errands close by because I simply cannot live without a/c! I am so glad that I am fortunate enough that I will have a career that pays better than average and I will be able to support my love of hot weather and still afford the fuel I need to stay comfortable.

[shootingstar]

I have mixed feelings about the rise in gas prices. My father is an engineer for a large oil company and rising prices means he keeps his job (or his benefits once he retires). In three weeks I'm moving to a town that is heavily dependent on oil for its economy - so right now it's booming so bad there's a housing shortage. So really, so far in my life, rising gas and oil prices have always signaled better times for me and my family.

One thing I have noticed is that many whom have commented so far on this thread that commute to work frequently or run errands on their bikes with regularity, live in a place where the climate can support that kind of thing. Where I am moving it's already averaging temperature in the upper 90s and they've even had a day that was 102 (admittedly, my whole state is literally on fire right now, so that doesn't help). Where I am now it's in the low 90s to upper 80s but the humidity is typically 90%+. My new town is the dry desert (thank goodness). Even so, I will live ~3 miles from my job and I am hesitant about commuting. I can't even do it here. It's not because of traffic and it's not because there are unsafe routes, but rather it's so hot here that I would be a sweaty, disgusting mess when I arrived. And I work with people all day in a highly professional setting, so this would not be okay (and no shower option at work). So I typically drive the very short distance to work and to all my errands close by because I simply cannot live without a/c! I am so glad that I am fortunate enough that I will have a career that pays better than average and I will be able to support my love of hot weather and still afford the fuel I need to stay comfortable.

Westtexas I cycle-commuted round trip 30 kms. when I lived in Toroonto during spring to fall. Including the summers that do often go up to 85-90 degrees F with at least 90-100% humidity (and with smog). I started off cycling to work shortly after 6:00 am.

There were no showers at work. But I arrived at work nearly 1 hr. early which gave me lots of time to change, etc. and relax with my coffee before starting work.

I know it sounds initially difficult, but now I've become an early morning person for the past 15 yrs. It helps me for my present job, because I want to start and do start work at 7:30 am and get off work at 4:00pm. It's wonderful.

As for the oil industry: my partner is long time cycling advocate for Toronto (when he was working for a national oil company for whole of his career before retirement) and now for Vancouver. He still believes oil prices must be placed higher to force people to understand to conserve their resources and choose viable transportation that isn't heavily oil-dependent. Petroleum is useful for making ..plastics. So, not all terrible.

His career gave him a strong negotiating skills to transfer well for cycling advocacy..and how to deal with corporate world for funding, engineering firms, engineering mindsets to redirect some funds and rethinking for cycling infrastructure. This is how I reconciled it when he was still working for the oil firm. (He did have to support 2 children, so it wasn't just easy to leave based on principles.)

Over the years, I have heard enough about the inner world at senior management of oil firms and the games they play: they don't care. They really don't care..it's just the profit, protection of their jobs and careers.

And now working in Alberta where the oil firms and energy companies rule the economy (locally and nationally), it requires strong backbone of government bureaucrats to hold their ground on oil firms asking for concessions, rights, etc. I hear of this in my job ...daily. If you knew the games that were played out, it's not pretty.

So a life that is abit less car dependent ..makes you healthier and 1 less chainlink on oil dependent economy. (and I may add, a big cause of war..in the Middle East. It's pretty awful to hear people who work in the oil industry who are aware of he power grab for oil ..in the Middle East.)

[shootingstar]

I cannot comment on gas prices since I haven't lived in a household with a car, for over last 25 years.

I am truly ignorant in this area.

I only know about fuel..in terms of home heating.

[emily_in_nc]

There was a story on ABC news tonight that some of you may have seen. It indicated that an event (like a hurricane or a small glitch in the supply chain) could cause gas prices to rise to $6/gallon this summer in the US.

The piece also featured the Nissan Leaf. A man who bought one in January only spends $15/mo in extra electricity to power it. Very cool. Would work for most people's commutes, and they also stated that eventually "quick charge" stations would be available to allow people to get more of a range out of these vehicles.

Interesting report.

[Mr. Bloom]

Yeah, that's where refining capacity comes in. If a hurricane took out a port or refining facility, it is the same as putting a pinch on the pipeline coming into the US.

Then, the businesses who MUST have fuel to operate (airlines, truckers, etc), immediately go into the commodity market and buy futures to lock in price/supply into the future. A rush of demand fom nervous buyers + reduced supply = higher prices for all. It's not the oil companies raising prices, it's the panic buying to assure critical supply.

Refineries are HUGE investments with long term payback. Since the supply of oil is finite, no one is willing to invest in building more capacity...so, the supply pipeline will remain fixed and, short of a precipitous decline in demand, prices will remain much higher than historical averages...

[KnottedYet]

Addiction, ADDICTION, ADDICTION!!!!!

We all know that we must have oil, or the world will come to an end! After all, for the last 200,000 years, humanity has been completely dependent on oil! (oh, only 70 years? I'm wrong? Surely not?)

We all know that the Tooth Fairy has an infinite supply of oil tucked away for all us good little girls and boys, all we have to do is refine it and live in glorious ecstasy! (oh, it's finite? Really? Are you sure?)

There comes a time when everyone has to grow up a little. You want to drive? Pay your dealer for your addiction. Suck it up. Cower before your master.

Or ride your bike.

[Kitsune06]

Tell us how you really feel, Knot!

[emily_in_nc]

Addiction, ADDICTION, ADDICTION!!!!!

We all know that we must have oil, or the world will come to an end! After all, for the last 200,000 years, humanity has been completely dependent on oil! (oh, only 70 years? I'm wrong? Surely not?)

We all know that the Tooth Fairy has an infinite supply of oil tucked away for all us good little girls and boys, all we have to do is refine it and live in glorious ecstasy! (oh, it's finite? Really? Are you sure?)

There comes a time when everyone has to grow up a little. You want to drive? Pay your dealer for your addiction. Suck it up. Cower before your master.

Or ride your bike.

I LOVE THIS.