Comments on: May 15: Gasoline boycott day http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Sat, 18 May 2013 21:46:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Fritz http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/comment-page-1/#comment-33521 Fritz Fri, 25 May 2007 15:32:06 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/#comment-33521 Thanks for the comments, all. A bumper sticker idea I saw recently was "High gas prices: Like it or bike it!" Thanks for the comments, all. A bumper sticker idea I saw recently was “High gas prices: Like it or bike it!”

]]> By: Christina http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/comment-page-1/#comment-33519 Christina Fri, 25 May 2007 15:22:52 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/#comment-33519 I have an idea for a bumper sticker....although a bumper sticker can't really fit on a bike. :s "Boycott big gas....Ride a Bicycle!" Seriously, I think you could turn the so-called Gas boycott to your advantage. I know that supposedly it puts off the inevitable for those who decide not to make this a regular thing but maybe it might. Not to mention, while it wouldn't put a huge dent in the amount of gas used, it's still a larger dent than those who just stay away from the gas umps until another day and still use their vehicle. I have an idea for a bumper sticker….although a bumper sticker can’t really fit on a bike. :s “Boycott big gas….Ride a Bicycle!” Seriously, I think you could turn the so-called Gas boycott to your advantage.

I know that supposedly it puts off the inevitable for those who decide not to make this a regular thing but maybe it might. Not to mention, while it wouldn’t put a huge dent in the amount of gas used, it’s still a larger dent than those who just stay away from the gas umps until another day and still use their vehicle.

]]> By: BJ http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/comment-page-1/#comment-31769 BJ Fri, 18 May 2007 18:43:18 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/#comment-31769 Well, here's my take on saving gas via boycott: 10. Work longer days but less days - hang at home an extra day! (Could save you 20% on your gas!) I think they should do this with school busing too - reduce education costs everywhere. 9. Find at least 1 day to ride a bike to work, rideshare or take the bus. And if it's a long distance- try putting an electric motor on your bike, or a gas 120 mile-per-gallon. (Could save another 20% on your gas!) 8. Ask employers to give office employees 1 day at home a week to work from home (computer). Some might even be able to work more from home. 7. Don't mow your lawn (not a big impact but it'll all add up). See NoMowGrass.com for grass that doesn't grow too tall. 6. Buy food at Farmer's Markets (it has to travel least amount of distance to get to your table). Better yet- add a veggie & fruit garden to your patio or landscape. 5. Get to know your local butcher. Food won't be traveling far. 4. Buy less packaged items (many plastics are petro -based). 3. Shop online to compare prices before driving to buy anything and don't drive to shop unless you have a list. Or just buy online and let the postal deliver with the mail. 2. Patronize delivery places that use bike-delivery verses cars. Have patience and wait for your food. 1. Do a family vacation on bikes using local Bike trails and campgrounds or state forests. In other words -Live Better via the Boycott Well, here’s my take on saving gas via boycott:
10. Work longer days but less days – hang at home an extra day! (Could save you 20% on your gas!) I think they should do this with school busing too – reduce education costs everywhere.
9. Find at least 1 day to ride a bike to work, rideshare or take the bus. And if it’s a long distance- try putting an electric motor on your bike, or a gas 120 mile-per-gallon. (Could save another 20% on your gas!)
8. Ask employers to give office employees 1 day at home a week to work from home (computer). Some might even be able to work more from home.
7. Don’t mow your lawn (not a big impact but it’ll all add up). See NoMowGrass.com for grass that doesn’t grow too tall.
6. Buy food at Farmer’s Markets (it has to travel least amount of distance to get to your table). Better yet- add a veggie & fruit garden to your patio or landscape.
5. Get to know your local butcher. Food won’t be traveling far.
4. Buy less packaged items (many plastics are petro -based).
3. Shop online to compare prices before driving to buy anything and don’t drive to shop unless you have a list. Or just buy online and let the postal deliver with the mail.
2. Patronize delivery places that use bike-delivery verses cars. Have patience and wait for your food.
1. Do a family vacation on bikes using local Bike trails and campgrounds or state forests.

In other words -Live Better via the Boycott

]]> By: Sandy http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/comment-page-1/#comment-31398 Sandy Thu, 17 May 2007 06:15:19 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/#comment-31398 Hi Michael.....I lived in Houston, Texas for 25 years and was a taxi driver so I know what the traffic is like there. I know that I did not feel safe riding a bike there...too afraid of getting run over by a truck or car and getting my bike hijacked and mugged. Some of those foreign drivers there don't know how to drive. And then you have the scorching humid heat in the summer....a/c is needed. I am rambling but it's nice to meet another Houstonian. Sandy Hi Michael…..I lived in Houston, Texas for 25 years and was a taxi driver so I know what the traffic is like there. I know that I did not feel safe riding a bike there…too afraid of getting run over by a truck or car and getting my bike hijacked and mugged. Some of those foreign drivers there don’t know how to drive. And then you have the scorching humid heat in the summer….a/c is needed.

I am rambling but it’s nice to meet another Houstonian.

Sandy

]]> By: Jett http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/comment-page-1/#comment-31077 Jett Tue, 15 May 2007 22:26:20 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/#comment-31077 Michael, it doesn't have to be all or nothing. You might try driving part way and riding the rest, or bringing your bike to the office and riding at lunch. Mass transit can serve as a bridge; you can make test rides on Sunday morning (the quietest street time in Atlanta at least). The point is, there are lots of alternate ways to ease into the commute. This allows taking baby steps instead of leaps and bounds and your confidence builds up more quickly and safely. It also avoids having to make all the adjustments at once. Thanks guys for a good discussion. I've been enjoying this. Michael, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You might try driving part way and riding the rest, or bringing your bike to the office and riding at lunch. Mass transit can serve as a bridge; you can make test rides on Sunday morning (the quietest street time in Atlanta at least).

The point is, there are lots of alternate ways to ease into the commute. This allows taking baby steps instead of leaps and bounds and your confidence builds up more quickly and safely. It also avoids having to make all the adjustments at once.

Thanks guys for a good discussion. I’ve been enjoying this.

]]> By: Shawn http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/comment-page-1/#comment-31076 Shawn Tue, 15 May 2007 22:16:22 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/#comment-31076 Michael - just do it. Get people talking. But please find a safe route devoid of traffic. neighborhoods are always fun to cruise through. Especially in the summer when you can see all the moms on your ride home. Giggity! Michael – just do it. Get people talking. But please find a safe route devoid of traffic. neighborhoods are always fun to cruise through. Especially in the summer when you can see all the moms on your ride home. Giggity!

]]> By: michael http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/comment-page-1/#comment-31060 michael Tue, 15 May 2007 20:46:10 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/#comment-31060 I think you guys are on to somthing here. I think its a great idea and i admire you for what you do. I personally dont know anyone who rides there bike to work. If i did this i would be the talk around the water jug. Then maybe someone would join in. It seems like im at the hardest part of this "getting started" i live in the houston,tx area and traffic is thick. any advice on geting over the hump of starting. I think you guys are on to somthing here. I think its a great idea and i admire you for what you do. I personally dont know anyone who rides there bike to work. If i did this i would be the talk around the water jug. Then maybe someone would join in. It seems like im at the hardest part of this “getting started” i live in the houston,tx area and traffic is thick. any advice on geting over the hump of starting.

]]> By: Dave http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/comment-page-1/#comment-31024 Dave Tue, 15 May 2007 16:24:20 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/#comment-31024 Bike To Work Week is this week. Try it, you will like it, maybe even switch. Track your miles and know how many pounds of CO2 you avoided burning. I'm also responding about the choices we all make about where to live and how to get around. My kid is in school too but we chose to live in town on a smaller lot, an older house in nice area, with character-- and my bike commute is 4.5 miles, quite do-able from April thru October, then I bus to work. We chose a hybrid car for the family and it gets 45 mpg for real. All in all, increased sustainabiliy is closer to our reach if we are willing to change. The cost of gas remains too low, I heard today it was a higher relative dollar cost in 1981. Either you buy into the old mindset (suburban car dependence, two job slavery) or you think outside the box (come back to the city, take care of your neighborhood, and voila-- community and sustainability). Linda, the battle for cheaper gas will not be won with guns as the fossil fuel resource is not growing with world demand. Renewable fuels and conservation are the best way to get out of the Oil Trap. Bike On!!! Bike to work, make every day Earth Day. Exercise is the secret bonus for health and happiness. Who needs a coffee for a pick me up after biking to work? Bike To Work Week is this week. Try it, you will like it, maybe even switch. Track your miles and know how many pounds of CO2 you avoided burning.

I’m also responding about the choices we all make about where to live and how to get around. My kid is in school too but we chose to live in town on a smaller lot, an older house in nice area, with character– and my bike commute is 4.5 miles, quite do-able from April thru October, then I bus to work. We chose a hybrid car for the family and it gets 45 mpg for real. All in all, increased sustainabiliy is closer to our reach if we are willing to change. The cost of gas remains too low, I heard today it was a higher relative dollar cost in 1981. Either you buy into the old mindset (suburban car dependence, two job slavery) or you think outside the box (come back to the city, take care of your neighborhood, and voila– community and sustainability).

Linda, the battle for cheaper gas will not be won with guns as the fossil fuel resource is not growing with world demand. Renewable fuels and conservation are the best way to get out of the Oil Trap.

Bike On!!! Bike to work, make every day Earth Day. Exercise is the secret bonus for health and happiness. Who needs a coffee for a pick me up after biking to work?

]]> By: Jett http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/comment-page-1/#comment-30879 Jett Mon, 14 May 2007 22:38:44 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/#comment-30879 Ann, I find living intown much cheaper than living 11 miles away. How can you afford cars? They're SO expensive. Karen, I'm all for sending a message. That's why I ride my bike. It doesn't use gas at all. Linda, quit buying gas and the price will go down. Also, understand that our gas prices are artificially low. You don't have to buy many tanks of gas in Europe to understand how cheap it is here. Mike makes that point in his comment. BTW, does anyone know if these are real people I just responded to? ;-). Ann, I find living intown much cheaper than living 11 miles away. How can you afford cars? They’re SO expensive.

Karen, I’m all for sending a message. That’s why I ride my bike. It doesn’t use gas at all.

Linda, quit buying gas and the price will go down.

Also, understand that our gas prices are artificially low. You don’t have to buy many tanks of gas in Europe to understand how cheap it is here. Mike makes that point in his comment.

BTW, does anyone know if these are real people I just responded to? ;-) .

]]> By: wolfy http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/comment-page-1/#comment-30860 wolfy Mon, 14 May 2007 21:01:43 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/05/08/may-15-gasoline-boycott-day/#comment-30860 That's EASY!!! Supply is low and demand is high. Remember, we're buying gas, not oil. -M That’s EASY!!!

Supply is low and demand is high. Remember, we’re buying gas, not oil.

-M

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