[design219]

I am. Although I only have an 8-mile drive to work, I've cut back on any unnecessary driving. Not so much because of the cost, but it just doesn't seem like a good idea right now.

[boy8cookie]

I drive as little as possible. Gas is $3.90 for regular here, and I have a mid sized SUV (I need room for equipment in my vehicle), so I get 18-24 MPG. Luckily most of my life is within walking distance, and I only find myself driving when I need to move more than just myself.

[sek929]

Hell yeah, gas is $3.60 here and my truck gets 17-20 MPG.

I've been carpooling/making less trips whenever I can.

[alligator]

I can't cut back. I really only drive to and from work, which is 30 miles one-way. I can't bike that far, there are no city streets (other than freeways) that make sense to take. That leaves me with driving, which I'll still have to do even if gas is $10/gallon. *sigh*

[peeb]

Alligator, just out of interest, where does gas fit in as a proportion of your income - do you spend more on gas than on heating, or food, for example? How big a deal is it?

[NeXTLoop]

I'm getting ready to buy a motorcycle for running errands. 70 MPG and cheaper upkeep and maintenance compared to a vehicle. I'm still keeping my SUV, but will rely on the motorcycle whenever possible.

[peeb]

Do you use the SUV for anything that you couldn't use a more gas efficient car for?

[Eug]

My driving habits haven't changed at all. Mind you, I drive a Prius, which uses less gas than the Yaris.

Actually, that's not true. I drive more often than I used to, since I've been lazy and haven't be riding my bicycle like I did in the past. Part of that has to do with the distance though. I used to ride 12 km to work. Now it would be around 15-16, since I moved. Good way to get in shape though. Maybe I'll start up again with the bike this month.

[Art Vandelay]

I haven't had to buy gas in about 2 years. Has it gone up since then?

[Eug]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay 

I haven't had to buy gas in about 2 years.

Don't own a car? Just wondering.

Has it gone up since then?

You jest, but the rise in price has affected everything, from electricity to food, etc.

[Art Vandelay]

I sold my car two years ago. I live within a 5 minute walk to work. Everything I need is within walking distance. If not, I either take the bus or use a Zipcar. It's quite liberating not having to deal with the expenses of having a car.

[64stang06]

I drive way less now. I fill up about once a month, maybe longer.

[Eug]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay 

I sold my car two years ago. I live within a 5 minute walk to work. Everything I need is within walking distance. If not, I either take the bus or use a Zipcar. It's quite liberating not having to deal with the expenses of having a car.

Well, 5 minutes from where I work is an expensive area. To get a house that some people in this forum might be used to would cost over $2 million.

[Laminar]

Not a whole lot. Mind you, I don't randomly cruise around for fun like I did in high school when gas was $1.30 a gallon and my car got 29mpg easily. Now I'm buying premium at $3.75/gallon and getting 20mpg. My city is working on a bike trail that would go from my house to my work which should be done in a month or so, but it would be about a half hour ride, and I would be completely covered in sweat by the end of it, so I just drive 6 minutes each way. I do go home to Iowa about once a month, and that usually costs me at least $100 in gas for the weekend, with a 210-350 mile trip each way depending on who I'm visiting, plus driving around once I'm there.

[Eug]

it would be about a half hour ride, and I would be completely covered in sweat by the end of it, so I just drive 6 minutes each way.

Yeah, riding my bicycle adds over 30 minutes to my commute each way, if you include the shower time. (Luckily I found a shower in the complex at my workplace that all employees can use. Otherwise I'd never ride my bike to work.)

The other problem is that Toronto sucks for bike lanes. You have to fight with the cars. Nonetheless I think I will try riding there once in a while, when I'm not in a rush or have early meetings or whatever.

However, to be honest, this is NOT to save gas. This is for the exercise.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by Eug 

Yeah, riding my bicycle adds over 30 minutes to my commute each way, if you include the shower time. (Luckily I found a shower in the complex at my workplace that all employees can use. Otherwise I'd never ride my bike to work.)

The other problem is that Toronto sucks for bike lanes. You have to fight with the cars. Nonetheless I think I will try riding there once in a while, when I'm not in a rush or have early meetings or whatever.

However, to be honest, this is NOT to save gas. This is for the exercise.

As it is now, I'd have to cross two major highways and an interstate to get to work. When the bike path is done, it should be smooth sailing all the way there, except as soon as it gets over about 76F I start sweating just standing around, so biking would really do me in. Plus getting up a half hour earlier would NOT work well for me. If there was some way I could drive to work and bike home, that would be ideal.

[Mastrap]

The lease on our car is running out next year in February and I am seriously considering not buying another one. We have a ZipCar lot close by, we live in a downtown neighbourhood (Parkdale, at Queen and Dufferin for my fellow Torontonians) with excellent public transport and everything we need within walking distance. For weekends at the cottage a rental car would probably still work out cheaper than actually owning a car.

[turtle777]

Nope.

No viable public transportation around.
And riding a bike in the US is mostly a suicide mission. I'm not gonna risk my health / life for saving on gas.

-t

[Railroader]

My driving habits haven't changed. And it seems like traffic is getting worse and worse around here. Probably from orange barrel season arriving.

[peeb]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

And riding a bike in the US is mostly a suicide mission. I'm not gonna risk my health / life for saving on gas.

I'm not sure that's really true. I think the evidence suggests that it's not particularly dangerous.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by peeb 

I'm not sure that's really true. I think the evidence suggests that it's not particularly dangerous.

The evidence ?

The evidence for me is seeing idiots driving cars every day.

Looking out for bikes is NOT very high on the list of training when you get your DL in the US. People just don't drive with bikers in mind.

Nah, thanks. Too risky.

-t

[SSharon]

I drive 25 miles each way to school. There is no real public transportation to speak of and I worked 2 jobs this past semester so I was driving a lot.

I try to cut down on driving, but I can't avoid going to school and that is what uses up most of my gas. My 92' camry is down to 22mpg which is also starting to hurt.
My ez-pass bill isn't as big as my gas bill, but it isn't insignificant either.

[CollinG3G4]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

The evidence ?

Looking out for bikes is NOT very high on the list of training when you get your DL in the US. People just don't drive with bikers in mind.

Nah, thanks. Too risky.

-t

Seriously. Sure, you have the right pedal your way through rush hour traffic, block an entire lane, and disrupt traffic flow, but please don't. What gets to me the most is where there is a perfectly good sidewalk designed specially for non-motorized traffic and some douche on a bike decides not to use it. What the hell?

[CollinG3G4]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

The evidence ?

Looking out for bikes is NOT very high on the list of training when you get your DL in the US. People just don't drive with bikers in mind.

Nah, thanks. Too risky.

-t

Seriously. Sure, you have the right to pedal your way through rush hour traffic, block an entire lane, and disrupt traffic flow, but please don't.

[brassplayersrock²]

once is enough

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by CollinG3G4 

Seriously. Sure, you have the right pedal your way through rush hour traffic, block an entire lane, and disrupt traffic flow, but please don't. What gets to me the most is where there is a perfectly good sidewalk designed specially for non-motorized traffic and some douche on a bike decides not to use it. What the hell?

Why do you respond TO ME ?

-t

[brassplayersrock²]

you ride a bike i guess

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by brassplayersrock² 

you ride a bike i guess

Is this a joke ?

-t

[dreamryche]

Originally Posted by CollinG3G4 

Seriously. Sure, you have the right pedal your way through rush hour traffic, block an entire lane, and disrupt traffic flow, but please don't. What gets to me the most is where there is a perfectly good sidewalk designed specially for non-motorized traffic and some douche on a bike decides not to use it. What the hell?

Believe it or not, it's actually law in many places that bikes are not to be ridden on sidewalks. I hate getting up on the sidewalk. Not only does it make for an awful ride, but a bicycle on a sidewalk creates an unsafe situation where pedestrians are present.

As for blocking an entire lane: while taking the lane might inconvenience drivers, it creates a safer situation for the cyclist. If a cyclist sticks to the curb, some cager like you will come along and smack him with a mirror.

As a cyclist, I will say that I plan my routes to minimize involvement with traffic: I use multi-use paths where possible and try to avoid congested roads in favor of side and secondary streets where possible.

[Kenneth]

So far, I didn't change any of my driving habit.

[tie]

Originally Posted by CollinG3G4 

Seriously. Sure, you have the right to pedal your way through rush hour traffic, block an entire lane, and disrupt traffic flow, but please don't.

If it is safer, then that is what the bicyclist should do. He certainly should not bike on the sidewalk, any more than you should drive on the sidewalk. Sidewalks are almost never designed for bikes, and are usually very dangerous, both for pedestrians and for the cyclist.

Originally Posted by peeb

I'm not sure that's really true. I think the evidence suggests that it's not particularly dangerous.

The evidence suggests that it is about 10x more dangerous than driving, per mile. This is from memory but I think it is right. A cyclist is more likely to get in an accident because drivers don't see you or try to skim past you, and a cyclist has basically no protection.

[MM-o4]

I happy I can walk and train it to work. It would actually be more hassle to drive.
When I do have to get some where I try to use my motorbike weather permitting. Plus more fun that way

My car is coming up to 10 years old and I hope will last till electric cars are wide spread. Don't want to buy a another car that will soon be obsolete for it's reliance on fossil fuels.

[alligator]

Originally Posted by peeb 

Alligator, just out of interest, where does gas fit in as a proportion of your income - do you spend more on gas than on heating, or food, for example? How big a deal is it?

Gas really isn't a large portion of my income. My car gets an average of 26 mpg. My job pays well, so making the trip is worth it. I really do wish I could bike, but it is just too far. I can't stand rush hour traffic, which is where I spend most of my life. I looked into the bus schedule, but they don't stop anywhere near my house.

[ghporter]

I'm paying a lot more attention to tire pressure, though I can't manage to drive much less than I do currently. Tire pressure can be critical to your mileage-if you're underinflated, the tires present a lot more rolling resistance, along with the problems with wear and lack of stability. So I'm being careful...

[RAILhead]

No, I drive as much as ever.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by CollinG3G4 

What gets to me the most is where there is a perfectly good sidewalk designed specially for non-motorized traffic and some douche on a bike decides not to use it. What the hell?

There's places where riding a bike on the pedestrian sidewalk is legal?

(In Germany, it's legal - so long as you're under ten years of age. After that, it's on the road, or on a bike path, which *must* be used if present.)

[RAILhead]

It's illegal in Texas, but I hate it when a biker is frakking slowing down motor traffic.

[design219]

Remember that Andy Griffith episode? The kid who defied the law riding his bike on the sidewalk?

Good times.

[osiris]

I have slaves carry me to where I need to go. But don't get me going on the cost of grain these days.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by RAILhead 

It's illegal in Texas, but I hate it when a biker is frakking slowing down motor traffic.

That's why bike lanes are important. In Austin they're all over the place, and because of them you can't blame the traffic on bikes (blame it on all the Silicon Valley morons that treat Austin like LA). Here in San Antonio bike lanes are showing up more and more frequently, but not really downtown. But they are a help.

And while I agree that aggressive bicyclists make problems for drivers, many more drivers act like idiots around bicyclists who are behaving properly. You know how many huge trucks we have here-and how many of those trucks are driven by people who properly handle right of way for cars? They do much worse with bikes.

And I'll admit, I ride on the sidewalk when necessary to save my skin. But it's much easier to ride on the street and I do whenever possible.

[Eug]

One of the reasons I stopped riding my motorcycle was because of idiot drivers. I've had drivers try to pass me on a single-lane highway on-ramp, because I was "only" going the speed limit. Tailgaiters in the city aren't the most pleasant either.

At least with a bicycle, I'm not riding on highways, but it's still a struggle, esp. since bike lanes are few and far between in Toronto.

Originally Posted by osiris 

I have slaves carry me to where I need to go. But don't get me going on the cost of grain these days.

I had that for a while, but it was too slow. Even the fastest slaves can't go more than 10 km/hr when carrying me. Plus, they sure do stink in the summer, as do I, cuz there's no air conditioned cage.

[analogika]

They keep you in a cage?

[Eug]

Originally Posted by analogika 

They keep you in a cage?

No, just an open air carriage like this:



But since there is no sealed cage like in a car, there is no air conditioning.

[MacosNerd]

Yup,

I drive less now then before, and in fact I decided to turn down a new job because it would have been a 50 mile commute. My truck gets about 15 MPG and driving 100 miles a day would translate into over 100 bucks a week in gas alone where as I spend only 40 dollars (for the month) for a subway pass and I fill the tank up once a month - train station is a only a few miles from my house..

Made little sense, especially since gas is still going up, not down.

[Zeeb]

I also take the subway everywhere I go so I don't spend anything on gas. $81 a month and I don't worry about car repairs, insurance, gas, and its much more safe. I wish it worked like that everywhere. Hopefully, more cities will develop a decent public transportation system someday. Public transportation seems to have a bad reputation in most cities. It runs part-time, has limited stops, is often unreliable, and is associated with being too poor to afford a car. Not only will a system need to be developed, but in many areas there will need to be significant PR in those places to get people to use it. Shame really.

If the government were really serious about reducing our dependency on oil, they would embark on a program to build extensive subway/cable car/bus lines in every major city. Outside of a few cities in the U.S. public transportation is a complete joke.

[CreepDogg]

Originally Posted by MM-o4 

My car is coming up to 10 years old and I hope will last till electric cars are wide spread. Don't want to buy a another car that will soon be obsolete for it's reliance on fossil fuels.

Hear hear. I'm hoping I'm in pretty good shape for this. I have a Mini, so it's reasonably good on gas. It's pretty new, and I'm wanting it to last until I can buy an electric, or at least a plug-in hybrid. Probably one of each for me and the missus.

[design219]

I'm expecting a few more years out of my '97 Camery and hope to get some sort of electric or plug-in hybrid for my next car. I've heard there are a crop of new electrics coming out late this year.

[Eug]

If you're waiting for pure and practical electric cars, you'll be waiting for a very long time... unless you want to spend six figures on a car.

[design219]

Electric Cars, Green Vehicle :: Phoenix Motorcars, Inc.

I'm hoping something like this will be affordable.

[CreepDogg]

Originally Posted by Eug 

If you're waiting for pure electric cars, you'll be waiting for a very long time... unless you want to spend 200000 on a car.

Uhhh... you can get one for half that today. Now delivering.

The oft-cited Tesla Motors

Edit: odd, Somehow my post misquoted Eug. Six figures is accurate today. Carry on...