"It ain't easy being green"

[Jolly Well]

Back when fuel was $2.00/gallon I resolved to stop driving (save for emergency or the necessary long trip). I actually stopped three weeks ago and it's been ok really. I only live a little over 12 miles from the town I work & school at, and the morning bike ride gives me time to reflect on whatever is on my mind.

It's been a nice 45ish minute addition to my day really, although it hasn't been fun in the evenings this week with temperatures reaching 90+ degrees - but even then, it's only a minor inconvenience.

The larger inconvenience are drivers. I always knew their were people behind the wheel who had no business being there, but I've nearly been levelled by mirrors from trucks and SUVs so many times all ready that I stopped counting. I'd give them some lead-way if it were in a curve or area where they couldn't get over, but 9 out of 10, it's on a long straight stretch where the opposite lane is completely vacant of other vehicles or obstructions. People kill me sometimes; and sometimes I wonder if they are going to kill me

[Markie]

You don't need to give up driving. Get a nice clean electric car - zero oil burned and zero fossil fuel consumption and zero emissions there depending on where your electricity comes from (ours is a hydro dam here).

[Jolly Well]

The only electric cars in my area are pretty much golf carts in appearance, albeit a bit larger. I am looking into a Smart Car but there is a bit of a wait to get one.

Hydro cars are near to market, and at current have an affordable price tag - only issue I have with them is finding a mechanic if/when the times comes - the bill would be huge.

I'm hoping to sell my house + land in a few years and relocate, where I'd like to install solar panels on the home I build/buy in the new location - an electric car would be ideal in that situation since I could cut down considerable costs by powering it from the panels.

[Fitzwilly]

12 miles in 45 minutes is a pretty good pace Jolly. Congratulations on your determination and comittment.

[contrachapado]

What if you wore a reflective vest? Maybe that would help drivers notice you. My husband found one at a store that sells construction equipment.

[Markie]

Now, here's the next question - what about all your STUFF. I'd happily bike everywhere around town in the summer. But where do I put my box-o-goodies for kids church? Where do I put my face painting setup for parties (which consists of a table, two big tubs of stuff, a director's chair for the kid being painted, a camp chair for me, a gallon of water, and a beach towel)?

I drive a car that gets close to 40mpg. Honestly, that's the best I can do...

[Snugglesnort]

You would be surprised how much stuff you can load on a bike. One of the best things about Korea is the public transportation. I haven't driven anything in five months. There are lots of bikes here, and most of them have racks on the back you can tie anything you can balance to. With a little creative knot and rope work you could get most all that on a bike. It would actually be great marketing. Or invest in a large tricycle!

[Jolly Well]

For work and school I just load everything into a backpack. They make several "saddle bag" type contraptions for bicycles that could store alot of paint, make-up, etc...

For larger items I'm considering buying one of those tow behind things that are made for kids. They're pretty big, plus they unhook from the bike to double as a stroller. I'd never use it for a child - at least not on the roads I ride - maybe in town or trails though - but it would make a nice supply wagon that can then be carted around easily.

[tim]

I've long believed that before anyone ought to be allowed a driver's license, they ought to have to learn what it feels like to be a pedestrian first. Driving classes ought to include some sort of virtual demonstration whereby one stands in a street and fears for their life as a seemingly out of control car nearly crashes into them. Only then will people understand that motor vehicles are deadly weapons if not employed with great care. Driving is usually, unfortunately, considered a right without complementary responsibility. And other modes of transportation are too often looked down upon as inferior (with those who use them unworthy of sharing the roadway.) Create harsher penalties for traffic violations which take these offenses seriously and have bite. Take away more licenses for misuse of vehicles and make people adaptively deal with it. Only then will we maybe we'll start to produce drivers who are worthy of being entrusted to operate motor vehicles on the roadway. It must be remembered that the most fundamental mode of transportation is the foot. And it was made not firstly for stepping on the gas nor the brake, but walking. When pedestrians lose the primary right of way to a careless society, we all lose in our very humanity and as a community of man.

[Jolly Well]

Well said. the hit and run tape thats been on the news all weekend is sickening - where the two cars are flying down the wrong side of the road until one of them hits a 70+ year old man at full speed - without stopping...

Victim is paralyzed from neck down (last I heard) and no arrests in the hit & run (also as of my last update)...