$7 gas - what would you do?
$7 gas - what would you do?
There is a new CIBC report that predicts $7 gas by 2010. What changes would you make to your lifestyle to handle $7 gas?
- White Coat Investor
- Posts: 17338
- Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:11 pm
- Location: Greatest Snow On Earth
It's funny you mention this. Here in Britain diesel fuel is ~ 1.35 pounds sterling/liter. That works out to $10.22/gallon. As near as I can tell, people just keep driving, maybe cutting back a bit, combining trips etc, but the freeways are still full and there's plenty of traffic. And their alternative public transportation system is light years ahead of the US. But it isn't all that cheap either. A day pass on the London Tube is $14.
So...$7...I marked no change at all. Maybe at $15.
So...$7...I marked no change at all. Maybe at $15.
1) Invest you must 2) Time is your friend 3) Impulse is your enemy |
4) Basic arithmetic works 5) Stick to simplicity 6) Stay the course
I couldn't post the article earlier. Here is the report for those that are interested:EmergDoc wrote:It's funny you mention this. Here in Britain diesel fuel is ~ 1.35 pounds sterling/liter. That works out to $10.22/gallon. As near as I can tell, people just keep driving, maybe cutting back a bit, combining trips etc, but the freeways are still full and there's plenty of traffic. And their alternative public transportation system is light years ahead of the US. But it isn't all that cheap either. A day pass on the London Tube is $14.
So...$7...I marked no change at all. Maybe at $15.
http://research.cibcwm.com/economic_pub ... sjun08.pdf
They predict that there will be 10 million less vehicles in the US by 2012. From the poll so far looks like it won't be boggleheads ...
-
- Founder
- Posts: 11589
- Joined: Fri Feb 23, 2007 12:06 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
Maybe the Bogleheads are better positioned than others. I bet in general Bogleheads have shorter commutes and drive more fuel-efficient cars than other Americans with similar demographics.They predict that there will be 10 million less vehicles in the US by 2012. From the poll so far looks like it won't be boggleheads
My wife and I already got rid of one of our cars when we moved within walking distance of work 5 years ago. We made the move because we felt the mental and physical health benefits of avoiding a Chicago commute were worth paying a higher rent (and now mortgage). Higher gas prices end up reducing the cost differential. In addition to having to buy much less gas, the value of our condo has been positively affected as city-center living becomes more popular.
Re: $7 gas - what would you do?
2010?AJ wrote:There is a new CIBC report that predicts $7 gas by 2010.
If a major hurricane or two blows through the Gulf of Mexico this season we may see it a lot sooner than that.
It' not the direct fuel prices that bother me (apart from winter heating )... It's the increase in prices of everything. More concerning - what about all the products made with oil (that have no viable alternatives) - it's more common then you would first think once you look?
|
Rob |
Its a dangerous business going out your front door. - J.R.R.Tolkien
a very good point - i think the potential reactions listed in the poll are far from exhaustive: maybe i'll buy fewer organic foods if the increased transportation costs make the price prohibitive... maybe i'll get delivery for dinner less often to avoid paying delivery charges (but not likely 8) )rob wrote:It' not the direct fuel prices that bother me (apart from winter heating )... It's the increase in prices of everything. More concerning - what about all the products made with oil (that have no viable alternatives) - it's more common then you would first think once you look?
Keep on driving.
Chaz |
|
“Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons." Woody Allen |
|
http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
I just feel that the world will once gain become smaller.
Globalization has been the buzz word for the last 60 years!
Globalization of manufacturing works only with the inherant assumption of negligible transportation costs. Local buisnesses were wiped out by more efficient operations thousands of miles apart.
But now, with increased transportation costs, manufacturing locally will make a recovery.
Interestingly, the services industry will continue to be globalized. You will receive more of your cusomer support from the other side of the world.
Interesting changes at the macro level.
Globalization has been the buzz word for the last 60 years!
Globalization of manufacturing works only with the inherant assumption of negligible transportation costs. Local buisnesses were wiped out by more efficient operations thousands of miles apart.
But now, with increased transportation costs, manufacturing locally will make a recovery.
Interestingly, the services industry will continue to be globalized. You will receive more of your cusomer support from the other side of the world.
Interesting changes at the macro level.
Do nothing different
I marked do nothing. I would likely drink less Starbucks, but my commute is 6 miles at a reasonable 20-24 mpg. The public transportation options in Cincinnati are rather thin. Easier to drink homemade generic coffee!
Nick22
I would drive the same whether gas was $1 or it was $10. My philosophy is to always keep on top of my costs.
That way, I don't have to worry about if I am spending too much doing something, because I have already done everything reasonably possible.
While gas is only a small part of my budget, it does concern me what sort of inflationary effects the huge increases in price will have on all other goods and services. Gas is a form of "variable inflation" that is not really well tracked.
That way, I don't have to worry about if I am spending too much doing something, because I have already done everything reasonably possible.
While gas is only a small part of my budget, it does concern me what sort of inflationary effects the huge increases in price will have on all other goods and services. Gas is a form of "variable inflation" that is not really well tracked.
- SoonerSunDevil
- Posts: 2000
- Joined: Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:32 pm
- Location: The desert
This is often the most forgotten fact regarding high oil prices. I was purchasing shoe polish the other day and noticed that the exact same brand and size that I purchased a year ago has gone from $2 to $4. While this is a very small increase in dollar terms, and an even smaller portion of my disposable income, it does show just how many consumer items are related to crude oil.rob wrote:It' not the direct fuel prices that bother me (apart from winter heating )... It's the increase in prices of everything. More concerning - what about all the products made with oil (that have no viable alternatives) - it's more common then you would first think once you look?
The price of disposable diapers have gone up and continue to do so. For some families, this will likely make a tremendous impact on their budget over time.rob wrote:It' not the direct fuel prices that bother me (apart from winter heating )... It's the increase in prices of everything. More concerning - what about all the products made with oil (that have no viable alternatives) - it's more common then you would first think once you look?
Driving only 3k miles a year and getting 30 mpg (mostly of my traveling is by NYC subway) the effect would be minimal. My driving habits would not change.
But, as pointed out the repercussions could be great. Two contracts, from clients, over the past six months, have been canceled, primarily because their business can not absorb the fuel increase. So, indirectly, the effects might be great. That remains to be seen.
But, as pointed out the repercussions could be great. Two contracts, from clients, over the past six months, have been canceled, primarily because their business can not absorb the fuel increase. So, indirectly, the effects might be great. That remains to be seen.
- tokyoleone
- Posts: 376
- Joined: Mon Feb 19, 2007 5:36 pm
- Location: Tokyo, Japan
In Japan gas costs about ¥170 a liter which works out to roughly about $7 a gallon.
Almost nobody drives to work in Tokyo and I don't have or need a car. The trains and subways are frequent, efficient, almost always get you anywhere in the city faster than a car, and cheap. But they are (unbelievably) crowded during rush hour! Still, after living for years without a car I have gotten used to it and wouldn't want to own one now
Almost nobody drives to work in Tokyo and I don't have or need a car. The trains and subways are frequent, efficient, almost always get you anywhere in the city faster than a car, and cheap. But they are (unbelievably) crowded during rush hour! Still, after living for years without a car I have gotten used to it and wouldn't want to own one now
-
- Posts: 48958
- Joined: Fri May 11, 2007 11:07 am
Another feature of Japan, I believe, shared with Netherlands and Denmark (but most definitely not UK), is the extent to which they try to make bicycling convenient: eg bicycle racks at every train station (in a country where petty crime is so low, this works better than in the UK, say, where if it is not bolted to the ground, it will be stolen or at least vandalised).tokyoleone wrote:In Japan gas costs about ¥170 a liter which works out to roughly about $7 a gallon.
Almost nobody drives to work in Tokyo and I don't have or need a car. The trains and subways are frequent, efficient, almost always get you anywhere in the city faster than a car, and cheap. But they are (unbelievably) crowded during rush hour! Still, after living for years without a car I have gotten used to it and wouldn't want to own one now
Studies have shown that the vast majority of trips in the UK are less than 5km (something like 90% of all trips). ie perfectly suitable for cycling, with limited/ no time penalty over driving.
However we have deliberately made our roads dangerous and uncomfortable for cyclists, and our drivers are famous for their harassment of cyclists. Our cyclists return the favour by riding on the sidewalks, ignoring traffic lights and otherwise threatening pedestrians.
By this long and deeply held government policy, we have made the UK more dependent on foreign energy sources, and reduced the health and fitness of the UK population.
I think a lot of Bogleheads are retired or soon to be.Alex Frakt wrote: Maybe the Bogleheads are better positioned than others. I bet in general Bogleheads have shorter commutes and drive more fuel-efficient cars than other Americans with similar demographics.
I look at it as a very small part of my expenses, less than 1% is for gas. Even it if doubled or tripled, it would still be very small. So I wouldn't change anything.
- tokyoleone
- Posts: 376
- Joined: Mon Feb 19, 2007 5:36 pm
- Location: Tokyo, Japan
There are in fact so many bicycles that many of the major train/subway stations have no parking zones for bikes - parking in designated areas only. And they do tow away illegally parked bicycles - I've lost 2 this way! You can get your bicycle back after paying a hefty fine (up to ¥5000/$45)Valuethinker wrote:
Another feature of Japan, I believe, shared with Netherlands and Denmark (but most definitely not UK), is the extent to which they try to make bicycling convenient: eg bicycle racks at every train station (in a country where petty crime is so low, this works better than in the UK, say, where if it is not bolted to the ground, it will be stolen or at least vandalised).
Don't worry about it. Every indexer is a business owner, and wherever the price increases happen, we will get it in our earnings.rob wrote:It' not the direct fuel prices that bother me (apart from winter heating )... It's the increase in prices of everything. More concerning - what about all the products made with oil (that have no viable alternatives) - it's more common then you would first think once you look?
Anybody who was ignorant/stupid enough to buy an unneeded gas guzzler as a daily commuter, the time to pay the piper has come.
For everybody else it is just another cost of living increase, food is going up, so less money to spend on gadgets I guess.
I live in Los Angeles, where the public transportation is very thin, and in most areaes it is not convenient or not available altogether, so people do not have much choice but to drive cars.
Many people are buying small cars for daily commute, but many are shocked when dealers are refusing their suv for a trade in.
A friend of mine tried to trade in his Toyota Sequoia, and was upset when the dealer offered him half of KBB's wholesale value.
For everybody else it is just another cost of living increase, food is going up, so less money to spend on gadgets I guess.
I live in Los Angeles, where the public transportation is very thin, and in most areaes it is not convenient or not available altogether, so people do not have much choice but to drive cars.
Many people are buying small cars for daily commute, but many are shocked when dealers are refusing their suv for a trade in.
A friend of mine tried to trade in his Toyota Sequoia, and was upset when the dealer offered him half of KBB's wholesale value.
_________________________________ |
|
"Money is a good servant, but a bad master" |
|
"The fewer our wants, the nearer we resemble the Gods". Socrates
Everything is relative. I am paying $6.79 per gallon of gas and $0.46 per kwh of electricity. So, I have to laugh when I hear all the whining (though I do understand the pain). People get what they deserve (even me!). The fact that a country like the US is importing so much oil when it has oil of its own is mind-boggling to much of the rest of the world.
-
- Posts: 801
- Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2007 1:10 am
- Random Musings
- Posts: 6756
- Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:24 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania
-
- Posts: 2576
- Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 8:17 pm
- Location: San Jose, CA
I ride public transit to/from work and only use car for errands and trips and such. $7/gallon does not affect me significantly. Since the beginning of the year, I have started to combine errands more. Not because it saves me much money (my fuel consumption is less than 3% of my total expenses), but I do want to avoid contributing to pollution as much as I can.
Where I live, riding the public transit is extremely convenient, so it is not really a hardship and I get to read the entire commute which has some benefits of its own.
-Pam
Where I live, riding the public transit is extremely convenient, so it is not really a hardship and I get to read the entire commute which has some benefits of its own.
-Pam
-
- Posts: 3665
- Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:42 am
I am pretty sure that some great European democracies have managed to survive and thrive for decades with those (and higher) levels of gas prices. It is a coincidence that all these places have far better public transit, smaller and more practical and efficient cars, and well developed urban infrastructures for walking, bicycling, etc.?
It seems obvious that the here in the United States we are not likely to develop these things without the price pressure of more expensive fossil fuels, is it? Didn't we have the last 35 years to do this, but went in the opposite direction instead?
I think it's kind of sad to think that some believe our national unity or sense of "freedom" has to be forever tied to sprawl and waste.
It seems obvious that the here in the United States we are not likely to develop these things without the price pressure of more expensive fossil fuels, is it? Didn't we have the last 35 years to do this, but went in the opposite direction instead?
I think it's kind of sad to think that some believe our national unity or sense of "freedom" has to be forever tied to sprawl and waste.
-
- Posts: 3665
- Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:42 am
My guess (stereotype really) is that Bogleheads in general spend less, save more, and retire earlier than the public at large. And many people become Bogleheads only in retirement anyway. So the Boglehead would commute for fewer years, and probably on average select a home site with a lower cost (i.e. distance) of commuting in the first place. And of course the Boglehead might be more influenced by gas mileage in car selection, even in the old days of a cheap, seemingly limitless fuel supplyPolaris wrote: Curious, what does commute length have to do with being a Boglehead?
I agree that Bogleheads in general spend less and save more, but I would think that historically one's geography and chosen profession would have the greatest impact on commute distance (although that may very well be changing now in the era of $4/gal gas).Tramper Al wrote:My guess (stereotype really) is that Bogleheads in general spend less, save more, and retire earlier than the public at large. And many people become Bogleheads only in retirement anyway. So the Boglehead would commute for fewer years, and probably on average select a home site with a lower cost (i.e. distance) of commuting in the first place. And of course the Boglehead might be more influenced by gas mileage in car selection, even in the old days of a cheap, seemingly limitless fuel supplyPolaris wrote: Curious, what does commute length have to do with being a Boglehead?
In my case, sometimes I've had to go to a client site in Maine, while other times I may have to work at a client site in Connecticut or Western Massachusetts. Other than an RV, there isn't really a single convenient place to live that makes for a short commute to each of these sites.
<img src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r240 ... edlogo.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">
I clicked change nothing. San Diego has zero quality public transportation and never will, so I have to drive
I will probably drive less or try to maximize errands and routes to conserve and cut down random trips that waste gas. Luckily my new job is 7 mi each way and I am getting better gas efficiency due to the flatness of the route.
I will probably drive less or try to maximize errands and routes to conserve and cut down random trips that waste gas. Luckily my new job is 7 mi each way and I am getting better gas efficiency due to the flatness of the route.
"The best life hack of all is to just put the work in and never give up." Bas Rutten
- curly lambeau
- Posts: 669
- Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:42 am
Maybe if it hits $7 then people will remember bicycles when they write these polls.Walden wrote:Where is the bike option?
I would just keep doing what I'm currently doing: riding my bicycle almost everywhere.
If it hits $7 I'll just keep riding my road bike. It's cheaper, more fun, and healthier than driving.
My husband and I both live in Texas and work for different companies in Silicon Valley (from home). Last I figured, our gas costs are 1/2 of 1% of our income (our incomes are not that far above the median, we just don't drive much), so transportation cost increases are not one of the things I personally worry about.
Most of my costs are low, so if my $.10 ramen becomes $.20, my breakfast will not be affected.
I consider myself pretty adaptable. I already use libraries, thrift stores, etc. so the percentage of my consumed good that need to be trucked to me are minimal. I don't deny that this could all affect me somehow, most likely in increased electricity costs for the swimming pool or expensive pineapple, but I feel relatively well prepared for it.
Most of my costs are low, so if my $.10 ramen becomes $.20, my breakfast will not be affected.
I consider myself pretty adaptable. I already use libraries, thrift stores, etc. so the percentage of my consumed good that need to be trucked to me are minimal. I don't deny that this could all affect me somehow, most likely in increased electricity costs for the swimming pool or expensive pineapple, but I feel relatively well prepared for it.
Big Oil Lobby My A**!
Bolt Wrote:
Big Oil ain't the problem Mr. Bolt. You need to do some reading and find out just what the cause(s) are. Ignorance is no excuse.The Big oil lobbys working on it, its(or 5-7bucks) is already being anticipated
-
- Posts: 306
- Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:47 pm
Re: Big Oil Lobby My A**!
Really people should be thanking Big Oil. It's simple math.Imbusted wrote:Bolt Wrote:Big Oil ain't the problem Mr. Bolt. You need to do some reading and find out just what the cause(s) are. Ignorance is no excuse.The Big oil lobbys working on it, its(or 5-7bucks) is already being anticipated
The current average gas price is $4.09 a gallon. But that's not all profit. With crude at $142 a barrel, and there being 42 gallons in a barrel, it means $3.38 of each gallon is crude oil -- which is a cost to oil companies.
Now we're down to $0.71 per gallon for the oil companies.
The federal gas tax is 18.4 cents a gallon. After subtracting that, we're down to 52.6 cents per gallon for the oil companies.
The average state tax is 31 cents per gallon, which now leaves the oil companies with... 21.6 cents per gallon.
And we haven't even subtracted out things like refining costs.
I suspect I will be able to easily outbid most Americans and be in a financial position to buy gasoline even at very high prices. What concerns me is the probability that the politicians will impose some type of rationing system (say, 5 gallons per week). It is in anticipation of this that I have moved very close to work and purchased an 80mpg motorcycle.
Since we don't drive much (about 5000 miles/year), we'd probably just cut back on spur of the moment "let's go pick up something" one-shot trips. But since I walk to work, and my wife's commute is only 3 miles, there's not actually a lot of room to cut back driving. She could take a bus, but it's not actually cheaper than the gas until gas is about $8/gallon.
Probably we'd take the Metro to go to downtown DC attractions (10 miles 1-way) more often than driving. If we use 1 gallon on such a round-trip, that would be $7. The Metro would be (for 2) 4*$1.85=$7.40 so it would be about a wash in cost (parking is free for us on the weekend).
After thinking it through here, we'd probably not change much except at the margins. We do so little long-haul driving that cutting back won't save much in the way of money or gas.
Probably we'd take the Metro to go to downtown DC attractions (10 miles 1-way) more often than driving. If we use 1 gallon on such a round-trip, that would be $7. The Metro would be (for 2) 4*$1.85=$7.40 so it would be about a wash in cost (parking is free for us on the weekend).
After thinking it through here, we'd probably not change much except at the margins. We do so little long-haul driving that cutting back won't save much in the way of money or gas.
Beyond all hope, set free to light.
- White Coat Investor
- Posts: 17338
- Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:11 pm
- Location: Greatest Snow On Earth
You actually moved AND actually bought a new vehicle because you actually expect politicians to impose a 5 gallon/week limit on gas?mattduke wrote:I suspect I will be able to easily outbid most Americans and be in a financial position to buy gasoline even at very high prices. What concerns me is the probability that the politicians will impose some type of rationing system (say, 5 gallons per week). It is in anticipation of this that I have moved very close to work and purchased an 80mpg motorcycle.
Seems like a big bet...
1) Invest you must 2) Time is your friend 3) Impulse is your enemy |
4) Basic arithmetic works 5) Stick to simplicity 6) Stay the course
-
- Posts: 48958
- Joined: Fri May 11, 2007 11:07 am
When the US looked at gas rationing in the 70s, they looked at what did/ did not work in WWII in the US and UK.EmergDoc wrote:You actually moved AND actually bought a new vehicle because you actually expect politicians to impose a 5 gallon/week limit on gas?mattduke wrote:I suspect I will be able to easily outbid most Americans and be in a financial position to buy gasoline even at very high prices. What concerns me is the probability that the politicians will impose some type of rationing system (say, 5 gallons per week). It is in anticipation of this that I have moved very close to work and purchased an 80mpg motorcycle.
Seems like a big bet...
'white rationing' does work. You give every household coupons for say 20 gallons per month. However they can sell those coupons in the free market. The government sets the total gasoline consumption of the economy, and then the market sets the price consumers will pay to consume that gas.
Otherwise you get black marketeering.
You would still have problems with counterfeit, of course, and some people will just not be able to afford the gas they need (but that would be true in you just let the market price spike).
Almost certainly gas would only be rationed if supplies fell to say, half of current supplies, so that you would need to have a reserved supply for essential services and deliveries and public transportation.
- shadowrings
- Posts: 413
- Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2007 2:01 pm
- Location: squatting around Prescott,AZ :-)
Ditto for me tommy It almost takes divine intervention to get a pedestrian cross walk installed in the quad city area here when the stop lights are going to be less than a mile apart.tommy_gunn wrote:I clicked change nothing. San Diego has zero quality public transportation and never will, so I have to drive
I will probably drive less or try to maximize errands and routes to conserve and cut down random trips that waste gas. Luckily my new job is 7 mi each way and I am getting better gas efficiency due to the flatness of the route.
And anti-cyclist mentality can make it hazardous for those that venture off the designated biking trails.
regards
vickie
Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people. |
--- Carl G. Jung
Re: $7 gas - what would you do?
I drive very little, maybe 10 miles/week on average. An occasional trip "over the hill" (3 miles round-trip) to the grocery store, once a month to the bank (six miles round-trip), and around the block every other day to keep the battery charged and the pistons lubricated. Gas, as you can see, is not a big expense. So, $7/gal would have little more impact than $5/gal.AJ wrote:There is a new CIBC report that predicts $7 gas by 2010. What changes would you make to your lifestyle to handle $7 gas?
Yours,
Bozo
-
- Posts: 812
- Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2007 7:49 pm
- Location: US
I don't know.
It's a shame: I am a cycling enthusiast and pedal over 2000 miles annually for leisure/exercise. It is conceivable that I could cycle to work but after doing the math I just don't see it as a reasonable possibility.
The biggest problem may be the commute distance: about 12 miles each-way. That's not excessive but a 25-30 minute drive becomes a 1-hour pedal. Could I find an additional hour to spending on commuting? Granted, cycling to work is exercise so it does have an advantage but that actually leads to another problem, namely shifting energy requirements from gasoline to food calories.
I figured I would burn 1200 calories on a daily 24 mile bike commute. If I want to maintain my weight (I'm relatively thin as it is) I'd have to eat more so I wouldn't run a calorie deficit. 1200 calories is a lot of food and that costs money. Cycling is not free.
Oh, and you can't carry much cargo on a bike. I pack both breakfast and lunch into a cooler and there's no way that will fit on a bike. You can buy some kind of cargo carrier (which costs money) but they you'd have to move more weight (which slows you down and requires more calorie expenditure).
Need I mention the safety issues with traffic and weather?
So if gas were to rise to $7 my commute would cost about $8 to drive. Cycling would not require gasoline but that $8 would have to be spent on other things, like food and time.
While I don't drive a truck/SUV, I'm not perfectly comfortable with what I drive: a 2008 Subaru Outback wagon. I'm averaging 23.2 mpg so far, hardly a disaster but this is a little low for commuting and $7 gas. But I can't have a small car as my only car. I have an active/outdoor lifestyle and it's going to take a lot for me to change. I'm waiting for some one to produce a cheap small car (under 10K) to use for pure commuting while using the Subaru for "heavier" tasks. But owning two cars costs more at this point than having one with a little substandard fuel economy. Gas is just one ownership expense.
I would give up other things but I will not give up my mobility. This is a common refrain.
It's a shame: I am a cycling enthusiast and pedal over 2000 miles annually for leisure/exercise. It is conceivable that I could cycle to work but after doing the math I just don't see it as a reasonable possibility.
The biggest problem may be the commute distance: about 12 miles each-way. That's not excessive but a 25-30 minute drive becomes a 1-hour pedal. Could I find an additional hour to spending on commuting? Granted, cycling to work is exercise so it does have an advantage but that actually leads to another problem, namely shifting energy requirements from gasoline to food calories.
I figured I would burn 1200 calories on a daily 24 mile bike commute. If I want to maintain my weight (I'm relatively thin as it is) I'd have to eat more so I wouldn't run a calorie deficit. 1200 calories is a lot of food and that costs money. Cycling is not free.
Oh, and you can't carry much cargo on a bike. I pack both breakfast and lunch into a cooler and there's no way that will fit on a bike. You can buy some kind of cargo carrier (which costs money) but they you'd have to move more weight (which slows you down and requires more calorie expenditure).
Need I mention the safety issues with traffic and weather?
So if gas were to rise to $7 my commute would cost about $8 to drive. Cycling would not require gasoline but that $8 would have to be spent on other things, like food and time.
While I don't drive a truck/SUV, I'm not perfectly comfortable with what I drive: a 2008 Subaru Outback wagon. I'm averaging 23.2 mpg so far, hardly a disaster but this is a little low for commuting and $7 gas. But I can't have a small car as my only car. I have an active/outdoor lifestyle and it's going to take a lot for me to change. I'm waiting for some one to produce a cheap small car (under 10K) to use for pure commuting while using the Subaru for "heavier" tasks. But owning two cars costs more at this point than having one with a little substandard fuel economy. Gas is just one ownership expense.
I would give up other things but I will not give up my mobility. This is a common refrain.