Riding through the woods as fast as you can shows the inner child you thought was lost forever.Stick It to the Oil Companies
Surfing through the MMBA forum, I found myself admiring those who regularly made their commute by bike in the Greater Detroit Area. It's not like anyone got online and said, "I commuted, today." My knowledge of these commuters came from their stories of bike-car collisions.
When money got tight for my student-self this spring, I realized that bicycle commuting was going to be my savior. I could no longer afford several $60 fill-ups per month for my Pathfinder. Actually, I really could never afford that. This year, I chose to do something about it.
I grabbed my backpack and removed the unnecessary books that I normally carried to class and replaced them with clothes, shoes, and snacks, hopped on the bike, and used that as my main mode of transportation. Suddenly, I found myself buying only one tank of gas for the month. It is simply amazing how cycling can cause such a savings in your life.
I recently put a little over a half tank of gas in my Pathfinder in case I get called into work for an emergency. My goal is to make this half tank last until June 11 – one month. One-half tank of gas for one month. How many people can honestly say that is all they use? With a bike, it is entirely possible.
Let's do the math. Say I fill up with $60 once a week. That isn't all that unusual for the average American. Now, if we cut that back to one-half tank of gas per month, that would be a total of $30 instead of $120 per month. In my case, the oil companies are actually losing money by raising the gas prices so high. Now, imagine what would happen if everyone did what I did. The oil companies wouldn't fare well at all. That would be a huge financial loss on their part.
Do you want to stick it to the oil companies? Commute by bike, and get your friends to do so as well.
Unfortunately, my one day of work this week started at 7 am this morning. I had my backpack filled but I just couldn't get ready fast enough to allow time to ride the bike in. So, I spent my Bike-to-Work Week (day) driving my SUV in. I decided to make good use of the driving and pick up some groceries I wouldn't be able to carry by bike due to weight. I'm looking forward to riding my bike tomorrow. I won't be working anymore this week, but I will surely play.
When money got tight for my student-self this spring, I realized that bicycle commuting was going to be my savior. I could no longer afford several $60 fill-ups per month for my Pathfinder. Actually, I really could never afford that. This year, I chose to do something about it.
I grabbed my backpack and removed the unnecessary books that I normally carried to class and replaced them with clothes, shoes, and snacks, hopped on the bike, and used that as my main mode of transportation. Suddenly, I found myself buying only one tank of gas for the month. It is simply amazing how cycling can cause such a savings in your life.
I recently put a little over a half tank of gas in my Pathfinder in case I get called into work for an emergency. My goal is to make this half tank last until June 11 – one month. One-half tank of gas for one month. How many people can honestly say that is all they use? With a bike, it is entirely possible.
Let's do the math. Say I fill up with $60 once a week. That isn't all that unusual for the average American. Now, if we cut that back to one-half tank of gas per month, that would be a total of $30 instead of $120 per month. In my case, the oil companies are actually losing money by raising the gas prices so high. Now, imagine what would happen if everyone did what I did. The oil companies wouldn't fare well at all. That would be a huge financial loss on their part.
Do you want to stick it to the oil companies? Commute by bike, and get your friends to do so as well.
Unfortunately, my one day of work this week started at 7 am this morning. I had my backpack filled but I just couldn't get ready fast enough to allow time to ride the bike in. So, I spent my Bike-to-Work Week (day) driving my SUV in. I decided to make good use of the driving and pick up some groceries I wouldn't be able to carry by bike due to weight. I'm looking forward to riding my bike tomorrow. I won't be working anymore this week, but I will surely play.
Labels: Automobiles, Commuting, Lifestyle
posted by Di at
5:40 PM
2 Comments:
Heard on the News tonight that the bike shops around Lansing can't keep bikes in stock. People are buying for alternate transportation.
THAT is awesome for so many reasons. The LBSs are getting support. That always makes me happy. :-) More cyclists means less pollution. Peoples' health will benefit greatly.
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