In light of the recent jump in gas prices I have seriously considered curtailing my usage. I have a perfectly capable bicycle that I bought from Wal-mart for 150 bucks, I think it's time I let the investment pay off. Why not? I love to ride a bike! If I decide to do it, I will do it out of principle alone. I can afford 4 dollars a gallon, but it's just not right. I think it's literally highway robbery!
News reports indicate that the fighting in Libya is to blame. As I understand it, the mere speculation that there could be a shortage (because nobody would be pumping out the reserves in that oil rich country) the price goes up to compensate for the loss - the ol' supply and demand -flimsy excuse in my book!
This is not the first time I've locked the oil companies out of my wallet. Back in 2007 I believe, when gas prices had in fact reached 4 dollars a gallon I began riding the bus to work. By my calculations I was saving more than a hundred dollars, if not more, each month. I won't lie, riding the bus was not enjoyable. It was inconvenient, and the bus didn't even take me all the way to my destination. My commute took twice as long to get to work, and then there's the germ thing. I'm not a snob, but I do have some OCD issues.
Riding a bicycle will also produce some challenges: The distance. Security. And my appearance when I arrive at work (Where I have to be on tv!).
As for the distance. I actually love a challenge, especially a physical one. I'll have to adjust for time though. Mapquest estimates that it's about a 10 mile trek. I'm sure with some creativity I can trim that down to 7 or 8. And that brings me to security. The creativity would have me riding through some "bad" neighborhoods. And by bad I mean areas that are known for violent crime. My ride home would be literally in the middle of the night. This is by far my biggest concern. As a journalist I see the violence play out on the very streets I'll be riding on. I'm not a great fighter, and I'm certainly not a violent person. But if I were an attacker, I would let me pedal on by. Because there would be consequences, I don't intend on becoming a statistic.
Now onto appearance. I have to assume these prices will continue into the summer months. I will no doubt be very hot and sweaty. This can somewhat be fixed when I get to work. But I will have to allow for some more time. Actually a lot of time. My hair can get pretty ridiculous.
Look, the oil companies know how easy they've made our lives. We don't, until we hop on a bicycle and make it part of our daily routine.
I'm not anti-oil. In fact I'm very much pro-oil, and more than that I'm pro-industry. But guess what, industry also produced a perfectly good bicycle that sits in my back yard.
With all that said, I still haven't decided to commit. Because that's exactly what it takes to ween yourself off of fossil fuel - commitment.
Who knows, I might even do a story on it.
If I do commit, hopefully the government, and the oil companies will regain their senses, and I will be glad to rejoin the very comfortable driving public.
