|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#21
|
|||
|
|||
Interesting post on gas prices and bikes
John_Kane wrote:
Actually a real gasoline hike or shortage would probably have a very impressive effect. The book _The Bicycle in Wartime_ gives some interesting descriptions for what effect rationing had on bicycle use. I suspect if gas prices get really high a lot of rural-suburban housing is going to drop drastically in price The bubble in housing is already starting to burst, but it's a slow process, not a rapid process like when equities fall in value. It's a very bad time to buy a house in many areas of the U.S.. |
Ads |
#22
|
|||
|
|||
Interesting post on gas prices and bikes
james wrote:
i think when denver's new train system is in place (years from now), more people will bike commute, but the first leg will open next year, and will definetely help cyclists on bad weather days. You realize that FasTracks means fewer (bike-rack equipped) buses, don't you? Denver RTD is currently experimenting with allowing bikes on trains during rush hour, but they have a history of only allowing bikes during off-peak hours. Bicycle Longmont (of which I'm a member) expressed serious reservations about FasTracks, and I think Bike Denver outright opposed the measure. Which reminds me -- I'm meeting with our Region 2 RTD representative tonight. I'll be sure to express again our concerns about bikes on trains. RFM |
#23
|
|||
|
|||
Interesting post on gas prices and bikes
Fritz M wrote:
Which reminds me -- I'm meeting with our Region 2 RTD representative tonight. I'll be sure to express again our concerns about bikes on trains. Use CalTrain as an example of how well a bikes on trains program works. Or maybe not since the demand is so high that before the Republicans came into office there were not enough bike spaces for everyone. |
#24
|
|||
|
|||
Interesting post on gas prices and bikes
Will wrote:
wrote: You have to change the whole culture. I don't see this ever happening here in the US. It's going to happen and it will happen a lot faster than most people realize. Crude was $28/barrel in '03. Natural gas price has tripled in 2 years. It's not a question of culture changing. It's a question of resource change. It's August and no one is thinking about winter heat. But guess what, it will cost 35% more to stay warm in the U.S. this fall. Bikes are coming back... What we need is a bicycle manufacturer that will put out a reasonably priced utitilty bicycle ($300 or so), with fenders, chain guard, built in lights, etc. This type of bike exists now, except for the reasonably priced part of it. |
#25
|
|||
|
|||
Interesting post on gas prices and bikes
I like your point, well said! I don't own a car, and haven't owned one
in several years. Before I took up the bike as transportation I walked or used public transit. Blame it on the post WWII government. Ever since the interstate highway system was dreamed up people have been using personal motor vehicles more and more. Ken |
#26
|
|||
|
|||
Interesting post on gas prices and bikes
"Claire Petersky" wrote in message ... "Andy Gee" wrote in message 8.78... So what's the hold up? I know women who won't ride because they are afraid the bike will have something go wrong mechanically, and they will be stuck some place where they will feel vunerable and fear for their physical safety. The automobile is a big steel box, and they can lock themselves inside if there's a breakdown. The women I know who won't ride a bike give their reasons generally along the lines of:- "Too dangerous" "Too dangerous as too many cars on the road" "I haven't got the time" "I wish I had the time" "You cycle how far??? I could never cycle that far!" "You cycle alone? You are brave! I could never do that!" "You cycle the five miles into town! Too far for me!" Cheers, helen s |
#27
|
|||
|
|||
Interesting post on gas prices and bikes
|
#28
|
|||
|
|||
Interesting post on gas prices and bikes
Andy Gee wrote:
snip The typical car commute is 12 miles or less; a regular civilian should be able to start out at 12 MPH and quickly work up to 16 MPH for a short haul and many routes will be much shorter by bicycle (parks, back roads, etc.) So what's the hold up? snip My commute is only 4.5 miles and I think I could certainly get there just as quickly on bike as I can in my car. However, there are a few stumbling blocks. 1. I sell candy (lots of junk food junkies out there) and between my lunch box and junk food, I can't carry all of that on my bike. 2. I get out of work at 1:30am and don't exactly feel comfortable riding around with all the drunks on the road at that time of night. 3. Inclement weather - Even if I could come up with an answer for the other two, I'm not confident riding with a foot of snow on the ground. Rain wouldn't be a problem though. Talk me into it folks, I'm really close to getting rid of my car. |
#29
|
|||
|
|||
Interesting post on gas prices and bikes
wafflycat wrote:
"Claire Petersky" wrote in message ... "Andy Gee" wrote in message 8.78... So what's the hold up? I know women who won't ride because they are afraid the bike will have something go wrong mechanically, and they will be stuck some place where they will feel vunerable and fear for their physical safety. The automobile is a big steel box, and they can lock themselves inside if there's a breakdown. The women I know who won't ride a bike give their reasons generally along the lines of:- "Too dangerous" "Too dangerous as too many cars on the road" "I haven't got the time" "I wish I had the time" "You cycle how far??? I could never cycle that far!" "You cycle alone? You are brave! I could never do that!" "You cycle the five miles into town! Too far for me!" I hear the same thing from the women I know, and most of the men, as well. Pat |
#30
|
|||
|
|||
Interesting post on gas prices and bikes
SMS wrote:
Will wrote: wrote: You have to change the whole culture. I don't see this ever happening here in the US. It's going to happen and it will happen a lot faster than most people realize. Crude was $28/barrel in '03. Natural gas price has tripled in 2 years. It's not a question of culture changing. It's a question of resource change. It's August and no one is thinking about winter heat. But guess what, it will cost 35% more to stay warm in the U.S. this fall. Bikes are coming back... What we need is a bicycle manufacturer that will put out a reasonably priced utitilty bicycle ($300 or so), with fenders, chain guard, built in lights, etc. This type of bike exists now, except for the reasonably priced part of it. The problem is the market isn't there, because the bikes aren't there, because the market isn't there. Part of the problem is that the bike market is too fractured. You should be able to build a road bike, touring bike, hard tail MTB, utility bike all on the same frame, the differences are often minor, like frame width, maximum rim diameter and the bosses/fittings that are in place. Realistically, take a road bike that can accomodate a wide tire, swap the handlebars, brake levers, rims, tires and tubes and fork and you have a hardtail mountain bike. Go back to the road bike, add racks and you have a touring bike. Swap the handlebars, brake levers, rims, tires, tubes, swap the rear hub for one with a 7 speed hub, add fenders and chain case and you have a utility bike. W |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Could these prices be real or are there knockoff bikes on the web? | BostonJD | General | 0 | January 31st 05 05:33 PM |
Rec.Bicycles Frequently Asked Questions Posting Part 1/5 | Mike Iglesias | General | 4 | October 29th 04 07:11 AM |
Danny-boy flails some more! (was: Advice on a good hardtail.) | Jonesy | Mountain Biking | 31 | June 18th 04 08:01 PM |
JEEP Mountain Bikes at reasonable prices! | Derek | Mountain Biking | 12 | September 29th 03 01:28 PM |
FAQ | Just zis Guy, you know? | UK | 27 | September 5th 03 10:58 PM |