Walking or Riding a Bike More? Thanks Gas Prices!

July 23rd, 2008 | by Brian Carr |

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!



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  1. 2 Responses to “Walking or Riding a Bike More? Thanks Gas Prices!”

  2. By save money on gas on Jul 24, 2008 | Reply

    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.

  3. By John A Borgeson on Jul 29, 2008 | Reply

    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

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