Pumping Pedals Instead of Oil
Gas prices are forcing more and more folks to reevaluate their lifestyles. When you have to fill your tank at the cost of giving up something else in your life, it’s easy to start thinking about alternative solutions.
I’ve always enjoyed riding my bicycle. When I was in college, I rediscovered the joy of riding a bike. In fact I took my first over night trip from Toledo to someplace in Michigan that was 75 miles away. I can’t remember the name of the town, but I do in fact remember it was 75 miles, because that weekend I rode a $69 K-Mart purchased Huffy for 150 miles. It was a joyous and painful experience.
My current ride has greatly improved from the Huffy to a Specialized road bike complete with wireless computer and more gears than I can remember to use. Still as much as I would like, I don’t ride my bike nearly enough.
Why? Well I have a ton of excuses. Mainly my work is not open to bike commuting. My trip is less than 10 miles one way, no biggie, but the route to get there is not easy. Besides that, I have no place to "freshen up" once I arrive. Probably the most viable excuse of all, is where would I put my clients?
Typically I work with people who need to be driven to the four points of metro Denver. Somehow giving them a personal bike or even having them ride on a bicycle built for two just doesn’t seem the right thing to do.
I suppose I could tell folks to drive their own car and I’ll meet them at the property. LOL I doubt that would work either. They would probably get tired of waiting for me.
Lately I’ve been drooling over a cute little orange scooter. I can see myself on it at least this time of year. But then I wonder if I’m really tough enough to ride in January when the days are short and the temps are a tad chilly?
As much money as I’m spending of gas the scooter would pay for itself in a few months, providing I parked the car and took the scooter.
Hummm, that’s food for thought!
There is another alternative. What if I leave the car at the office and commute via bike and light rail? Sounds a little complicated but it just might work.
The light rail is less than 1 mile from my home. I can cycle to the light rail, hop on bike and all. When I get to the station I would have my bike to take me the rest of the distance (about 1 more mile). My bike could probably sit in my office while I worked. If I ended up needing to show property, my car would be there.
Maybe, just maybe I have a plan here.
Now I’m wondering what others are doing. Are you pumping at the pump and thinking how to beat it?
BTW next week is Denver’s Official Bike to Work Day. Check out their website and all the great supportive activities, t-shirts on DRCOG.
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I wish I had an alternative choice- since I live in the “boondocks” we have no public transportation, and I work from home, so I plan out my days, so if I need to drive into “town” my day is full and I maximize my fuel output. If I have clients looking in my neck of the woods, we usually meet at the property, rather than my brokers office, and we all save a few pennies, or now dollars.
We here in NYC usually feel little impact when oil prices go up but not this time. Even though I don’t drive, I do take taxis quite often and there are reports that every taxi ride will have a surcharge of $1 added on top of the fare…which is huge considering a normal taxi ride is around $7. Perhaps I’ll be purchasing a bike soon!
Great topic Kristal! I’ve considered buying motorcyle myself. I’ve had my class M license since I was around 15, but haven’t used for quite some time. This past weekend, my tahoe was stolen and I was thinking of purchasing a motorcycle to replace. Bicycles are becoming very popular here in Dallas as well, esp in the Downtown Dallas/Uptown area. Many are using popular trails to commute to work to save on gas and get some exercise at the same time. One of the most popular trails here in Dallas is Katy Trail. Great Post!
Jamie ~ I so emphasize with you “boondocks” comments. It seems the people in rural America are suffering more with raising gas prices due to lack of alternatives. Perhaps as we go to two wheeled transportation rural America will start riding horses…again?
David ~ LOL! If I were living in NYC like you I’s certainly have a bike! I LOVE riding in urban traffic, pretending I have a very cool job as a BIKE MESSENGER! Of course I’m a little Granny now, but I still have young dreams! Get that bike and enjoy the power of being your own engine now!
Kenneth ~ What a bummer to hear you had your vehicle stolen. That is horrible!
I agree motorcycles are a great alternative. You live in the perfect climate for riding one most of the year. I’ve done some riding on a small Honda way back when…we purchased in when in college and rode it from N.J. to Ohio. I rode it all the way. At one point some guys on Harley accompanied me along the back roads in Pennsylvania. It was a road trip to remember…
Somehow I think the best business to be in right now might be Motorcycle Sales person!
I walked with a client looking in the downtown area this week. The only disadvatage was that it was hot. I wish I could wear shorts and tennis shoes for those showings. Our second home business has picked up here as people do not need to drive and its actually the thing to do is take the street car and walk. Since we are so backward things are coming full circle.
Hey Kristal, I think you came up with a good plan - park the car at the office and scooter/bike to it. I’m still busing it, I’m now on my seventh week. Most days it works out well. Tomorrow I have an open house. One bus to the office. Get materials. Back on same bus to end of street, get on second bus, takes me to the corner of the street and I walk half a block to the open house. Now, I have to use smaller open house signs than normal because well, the big ones are cumbersome on the bus! lol. And there are some places still not bus accessible so I get a ride. Because of that point, I know I will have to get a car because who wants to forego listings or buyers because they aren’t on a bus line. I’m saving for that mini! lol
They had a big segment on the world news just last night about this. It talked about how people in Portland are the nation’s leader’s in bike riding for transportation. Some people we saving as much as $400/month on gas. The city has also implemented some sort of bike rental service where you can take a bike off the rack and return it to one of the many rack locations around the city. This could be something that catches nationwide soon.
Great topic, Kristal! Here in Charlotte we are overloaded with SUVs and the like. Must be all that nasty winter weather we have here - or not. I live less than 1.5 miles from the office. Tried biking a few years ago, but ran into the ‘no place to freshen up’ problem. Also discovered how out of shape I was. I’ve since decided that biking on the greenway is a much better option (although I do drive to get to the greenway, haha). Maybe once I can bike up a small hill without gasping for air, I’ll rethink biking to work. At least when it’s not too hot. Or too cold. Or raining. Or a chance of rain . . .