Walking the Talk, Biking for Bucks

Yesterday...Today it's Jumped to 3.25 9/10

With gas prices well over $3/gallon right now and Spring weather emerging, it’s time for me to make some economic decisions that will provide plenty of fringe benefits.

Here are the top places I drive within the city of Columbia, Mo. on a regular, often daily basis. In my case it is important to note that I live in central Columbia, which is a college town that has been undergoing changes over the past 5 years to make it more bike friendly. I have two incredible bikes (mountain bike and road bike) and two long legs that let me walk at a quick clip. Do I have an excuse? I think not.

Work—30 minute walk and 10 minute bike ride

Gerbes—20 minute bike ride

Mom’s—40 minute walk and 15 minute bike ride

Hartley and Kim & family-40 minute walk and 15 minute bike ride

Library—15 minute walk; 7 minute bike ride

Murry’s—drive for several reasons

Green Tennis Center--15 minute walk; 7 minute bike ride

Downtown aka The District—15 minute walk; 5 minute bike ride

Columbia Cemetery—20 minute walk; 10 minute bike ride

Schnucks—20 minute bike ride

I read a very interesting article today, titled ”How bicycling will save the economy (if we let it).”

Except from the article:

(It can be read in its entirety: http://www.grist.org/article/2011-02-28-how-bicycling-will-save-the-economy)

Imagine getting a $3,000 to $12,000 tax rebate this year. Now imagine it coming again and again. Every year it grows by around a thousand dollars.

Imagine how this would change your daily life.

Sounds like a teabagger's wet dream, but it's actually a conservative estimate of how much you'd save by ditching your car, or even just one of your cars -- and getting on a bicycle instead.

Car-centric conditions don't always make it easy to choose the bicycle. Communities designed exclusively for motor vehicles impose a major financial penalty on those who are compelled to take on the expense of driving. But if you're one of those who lives in a bike-friendlier place, you'll be doing your local business community a good turn and padding Uncle Sam's pockets as well as your own if you trade four wheels for two.

In the many North American cities where two-wheeled transportation is taking off, a new bicycle economy is emerging. It's amazing how much money can stay in your community when it isn't being pumped into the gas tank, big insurance, and the auto market.