You’ve all seen the news. Record gas prices. Food costs a grip. Americans are re-thinking how to spend their weekends, their holidays, and how they get to work. Some have advocated that they plan to buy a hybrid, which from a cost standpoint doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but…I digress. My question to you, YBP, is do you plan to use your God-given legs and hop on a bike anytime soon?
That may be an open-ended question, but it really encompasses a fundamental truth: Our lives are forever changed by the today’s world economy.
I ask this question today mainly because I actually got my butt on my bicycle this morning. With my first born child on the way, I’m trying to stick to my resolution of getting more exercise and increase my energy level. In addition, biking a mile or so to the train in the morning is a good way to two birds with one stone: exercise and energy conservation.
Well, the latter may not be THAT conservative, as I can tell you that I’m a little worn out as I am undoubtedly out-of-shape. Nevertheless, it felt good to know that I was doing my part to adapt to our new economy.
You don’t have to be a Nobel-prize winning economist to know that the weak dollar and high prices are more than just our current war expenditures. China and India are expanding exponentially, and their pull on the world’s resources are affecting everyone. The largest company in the world is no longer ExxonMobil, its PetroChina. Indian car company Tata just bought Jaguar and Range Rover, with undoubted plans to expand the reach of automobile luxury to its billions of citizens.
Now, Americans have to adapt. In our sprawled out suburban sanctuaries, it seems daunting. We can do little things like space out our trips to the grocery store, carry reusable wool bags, and use less energy. While that may make a small impact, gasoline prices nearing $7 a gallon in a less than 2 years (London is almost at $10 / gallon) will push us to take even bigger steps.
Are you prepared to do so? Will you be taking public transportation to work? Do you plan to lobby your local government to improve their infrastructure to support mass transit for the future?
Even more, are you planning on biking your commute more often, YBP? If not, you may want to invest in your sanity now and make small steps.
DNLee
I’m glad you made this post. In fact May is National Bike Month — so it’s a little late, but not too late. Considering the obesity trends in this nation (with adults and children) maybe these high gas prices are just the thing to wake us all up.
Cycling, walking and public transportation are ALL great and healthy and Affordable ways to get around. Sure there are time when we need our cars to run around. But seriously, couldn’t we plan our days/weeks better so that we could avoid impulsive errand running.
In fact, I joined a summer initiative in my city – the Ten Toe Express: http://www.cmt-stl.org/tentoes/ten_toes.html
that encourages people to get moving more.
May 28, 2008 at 10:36 am
Stephon
Nice timing on the post. I just got my bike back from the bike shop for getting the summer tune-up. Out here in Washington, Biking is a HUGE activity. A couple of weeks ago was “Ride-your-Bike-to work†Day. There are tons of bike trails, the city roads have dedicated bike lanes, and there are plenty of others that would share the ride with you. I plan on biking to and from work at least 2 days a week(12 miles each way) and the rest of the days riding the bus to work ( I already the bus everyday). And while you point out the impact to larger economy- riding the bike/bus/train can save a couple hundred of dollars a month in gas and automobile maintenance. That’s a significant savings to my *personal* economy.
Some tips about bike riding- read up on the local traffic laws for bikes. Most folks make the mistake of assuming that bikes can sort of switch between pedestrian and vehicular laws at will. In some states it may be illegal to ride a bike on the sidewalk or without a helmet. Next, get a real bike- not one of those Wally-world $80 joints. Hit up bike shops, ask around, look at used road/mountain bikes. Investing a few hundred for a slightly used road bike is worth the money saved. The cheap bikes aren’t as energy efficient, are heavier to lug around and just don’t last as long. It was cool when you were in junior high to get Toys-R-Us bikes, but as a YBPs, we should be making investments in our activities. Check out Craigslist for used bikes, although the best time to buy a bike is a few weeks before spring starts. Finally, look for incentives your employer may offer for commuting options. Some employers subsidze mass transportation with discounted bus/train passes, discounts with bike repair shops, and other things (like contests or raffles).
May 28, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Fredric
Good advice, Stephon.
I just pulled the trigger and upgraded to an ‘adult’ bike. It feels good to know my $400 investment will be used to not only get me in shape, but save some money and help the environment.
May 29, 2008 at 8:30 pm