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There is little doubt that the recent spike in the price of gasoline has caused many Americans to change their driving habits. Whether it’s a drastic change like picking up and moving, or a more subtle change like making sure to drive the speed limit, chances are pretty good that we’ve all done something to help offset higher gas prices.
One way many people have tried to reduce the pain at the pump is by walking or riding a bicycle when they need to take “short trips.”
Considering a large portion of our driving is done within a close proximity to our homes and places of employment, implementing this change into your life could considerably reduce the amount of money you pay for gasoline.
I know some of you out there think this is a waste of time and isn’t worth trying out. So, for those of you who are skeptical of making such a change, I’d like to present to you the argument for the “Two Mile Rule.”
Very simply, the Two Mile Rule says that, when safe, you either walk or ride your bike when you’re going some place within a two mile radius of your home, work, etc. The only exception to this rule would be if you absolutely needed your vehicle – e.g. you’re going to the grocery store and are picking up way too many items to carry home.
Here are the three main reasons why you should follow the Two Mile Rule:
- You’ll undoubtedly reduce your gasoline consumption. Obviously, if you’re not driving your car, you’re not going to be using gas. Also, short driving tends to be marred by lots of stop signs, traffic lights, and needless idling, all of which do a great job of sucking gas and reducing your fuel economy. And, like I said before, it’s likely that much of your driving consists of these short trips. If you can eliminate these trips, you should see a significant savings.
- Less wear and tear on your vehicle. It doesn’t take a degree in mechanical engineering to know that the more you drive your car, the more wear and tear you put it through. So, if you can reduce the number of miles you drive, you should expect to increase your vehicle’s lifespan, which over the time you own the vehicle, could save you thousands of dollars in repairs, insurance and vehicle replacement cost.
- You’ll end up in much better shape. In addition to the health benefits, by losing weight you’ll increase your vehicle’s fuel economy when you do have to get behind the wheel. As you probably already know, for every extra 100 pounds you carry around in your car, you reduce its gas mileage by 2%. So, if you can find a way to lose 25 pounds by being more active (assuming you need to lose the weight), you should see a slight increase in fuel economy.
Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve started to incorporate the Two Mile Rule into my driving routine. Whenever possible I try to walk or ride my bike. I’ve even started riding my bike 16 miles round trip to and from work. A bit outside the two mile radius, I know.
While it was a pain when I first started, I’m certainly glad I kept with it. I feel like I’m in much better shape, I’ve dropped eight pounds and I’ve been able to add a couple of days to each tank of gas. And, considering my car’s starting to get up there in age, I’m hoping that I’m extending its lifespan as well.
On that note, give the Two Mile Rule a try. Your bank account, car and body will thank you.
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Rode my bicycle 60 miles yesterday just for fun.
This is great advice. I got a set of grocery panniers for my bicycle so I can carry home 2 large cloth bags of groceries, which is plenty for a 2-person household. The grocery store is 3 miles from my house, which is still close enough that I get there at practically the same time whether I walk or ride a bike, when you take traffic into account. I also live less than 2 miles from my job, so a lot of weeks I only drive my car on the weekends.
The one thing I won’t do is ride my bike at night, no matter how short the distance. Living in the city, there’s no such thing as a ‘good neighborhood’, so I have to ride through some shady areas to get pretty much anywhere.
I’ve started biking the 5 miles to my park and ride. From there I hop on the bus and finish out my 25 mile commute. (50 miles round trip)
I timed it out, and with traffic, it takes me just as much time to drive to the park and ride as it does for me to bike the 5 miles. It did take me a few tries to work out the logistics. I bring work clothes in a backpack and can shower at the gym at work if I need to.
All in all, I’m pretty happy with the results. I feel more fit, and my wallet stretches that much farther.
I started riding to work in mid-May. 16.4 miles round trip. I researched the bike I wanted/needed to make the conversion, purchased the bike and have had a great adventure since. I’m over 60 so the cardio aspect of the ride is long overdue and a welcome addition. Each day that I ride, I’m saving at least a gallon of gasoline. Best idea I’ve acted upon in a long time…
Great advice.
what’s up you’ll little people i am just showing some love
Friends of the Santa Ana River Trail is a volunteer community group involved in trail safety education, eco-friendly preservation and recreational multi-use of the Santa Ana River Trail system in Southern California. The Santa Ana River Trail spans over 120 miles through Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The trail is one of the largest non-motorized social boulevards in the United States. It is a favorite bicycling route in California.
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Save gas walk your bike then ride back.
New product called “WALK-A-BIKE” This new fitness walking product positions the walker a safe distance to the rear of the bicycle making it easy to walk or jog long distances with the bicycle at his/her side. When you reach your maximum walking/jogging distance, just bicycle back. Adding bicycling to your walking fitness program provides a more diverse exercising routine. It’s for the walker who wants to increase their walking distance.
IT’S ALL ABOUT LOSING WEIGHT AND GOOD HEALTH!
http://www.walkabike.com.