With gasoline prices being about 40% higher than what they were last year, it should come as no surprise that many of us have started to significantly reduce the amount we drive.
That being said, it’s not like we’re not still going to the store, or taking a short trip over to a friend’s house. We’re just taking alternate forms of transportation.
Based on a recent poll, it appears as if many of us have become reacquainted with two of the oldest forms of transportation: walking and riding a bicycle.
For the past two weeks, I’ve had a poll up on Daily Fuel Economy Tip which asked the following: “Are you walking and/or riding a bike more due to higher gas prices?” Here’s how the responses broke down:
- 49% stated they are walking/riding more thanks to high gas prices
- 48% stated they are not walking/riding more
- 3% stated they were unsure
Even over the last couple of weeks, it seems to me that my morning commute is far less crowded and there are more people walking or riding their bicycles to work on the paths adjacent to the roads I’m on.
In fact, on several occasions, I’ve taken my bike into work as well – 8 to 10 miles each way, depending on which path I take – something I never would have thought to do if high gasoline prices weren’t starting to affect my bottom line.
It will be interesting to see how these numbers change as the major car manufacturers adjust to the fact we no longer have a significant demand for trucks, SUVs and other gas guzzlers, and start producing more fuel efficient vehicles.
However, because we’re in the midst of a relatively seismic shift in energy/environmental awareness, even with more gas friendly cars available, it wouldn’t surprise me if the number of people walking and/or riding more continues to increase for an extended period of time.
Maybe we can knock out our energy and obesity problems at the same time!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
If I lived closer to work I would probably bike or use my rollerblades to get here. But I live far enough away that it just isn’t feasible right now. I agree though that if prices stay up or keep going up, more people will find alternatives.
I ride bicycle as a commuter in the most backward bicycling unfriendly city in America, Omaha NE. The more I ride the more I feel like an outcast revolutionary outsider.I’ve been ridiculed, physically and verbally assaulted.so, do I feel sorry for people paying $4.00 and up for their petrol fix? not at all, I hope the poison goes up even higher..Now at age 55 my blood pressure is on the low side, with a resting heart beat in the low sixties…VIVA the REVOLUTION..John A Borgeson
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.
Can you tell me how many people responded to your informal poll about biking and walking with higher gas prices? I was thinking of citing this in an article I’m working on but would need to know how many people answered.
Thanks!
I would really like to know how many people were involved in this poll. I am wanting to use it for a research project and need the total number or estimate. Thank you
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I appreciate you taking the time to read this e-mail.
Sincerely,
Ken Mariano
MARIANO CONCEPTS, LLC.
P.O. BOX 1372
NAPLES, FL 34106
MarianoConcepts@walkabike.com