Bike In order to Save Money on Gas this Summer

After the massive failure of May 15^th's Gas boycott I found myself starring blankly at a society in which ideas such as the gas boycott seem to prevail. The gas boycott in essence was an idea to not buy gasoline on May 15^th in an attempt to send a message to gasoline producers who apparently are gouging the market and reaping high rewards. This was a way for many people to "stick it to the man" and hurt corporations where they will feel it most (in their pocket books).

The problem I have with the gas boycott is that it is doomed to complete failure. Gas prices rise depending on supply and demand. When war breaks out in the Middle East gas rises because supply lines get interrupted. When we drill into Texas and spring a leak gas prices go down because supply has risen. Now staying with the same concept, if supply stays constant (such as now) and demand grows (such as during the summer when everyone and their uncle drives to Florida to see a mouse with a pedophiliac dog) then price will rise. So the only way for price to drop is if supply increases (not likely) or demand decreases.

Therefore the great gas boycott is doomed to failure and shall always be. Consumers do have other options however. Biking is probably one of the best examples I can give for this. I recently gave up driving if my destination was within 10 miles. Since then I have put 20$ in my gas tank over the last two weeks. Now I know people have needs and wants and are used to a comfortable lifestyle but let us try and be realistic here. If you keep driving your SUV and keep all of your lights on and keep wasting so much energy then prices are going to rise. I'm not even talking about global warming or saving the Egyptian horny squirrel or what have you, I'm talking cold hard economics.

Other options include where you live and how you get your power. Here in Kentucky we are burning coal to power most of our homes, as a result of our massive pile of coal we have the cheapest energy in the nation. Also as a result of having the cheapest energy we have the highest rate of consumption. All depending upon where you live and where you get your power there are plenty of small steps you can make to decrease your energy use. Turn off your computer when you are not reading my articles or simply turn off the monitor. Small changes will make a difference. As far as Gas is concerned, if you have to drive that car then drive it efficiently. Get the oil changed regularly and don't blast the AC and radio and DVD players all at the same time. Everyone wants a car that gets 35 miles to the gallon, which is great. But the real difference will be made when you choose not to drive that 35 miles and save yourself that gallon. In Lexington KY the Fayette urban county government has recently instituted a new yellow bike program which offers bikes to people at a one time cost of 10$ once paid you can take any yellow bike and park it anywhere within city limits. You have a key that works in any of the bike locks, so does everyone else. That way anyone (who has paid the fee) can take any bike and ride it anywhere without ever having to worry. This expansion is very commendable on the part of the city and hopefully will be a large success. I bike everywhere and yet I'm still tempted to get a bike just to help promote the program.

Regardless the message here is less consumption. Biking is very healthy for you and the world around you. If your money is what matters then biking will help you save that as well. Lastly I can bike anywhere within 5 miles faster then most can drive thanks to the traffic. So please next time you whine about gas prices ask yourself what you are doing to make those prices go down.