I'm seeing more people bike and walk around here.

[Bouncy Ball]

And it doesn't seem to be just exercise-related either.

I live in the suburbs of Dallas, with no mass transportation and loads of sprawl. Which means no car, you are sucking.

But lately I've been really surprised by the number of people I've seen biking with full backpacks on their back, or trailers attached with groceries in them. Ditto on the walkers, they aren't just out with a CD player strapped to their waist, power walking. They are lugging bags of groceries, or in a few cases, holding dry cleaning bags or library books. Still getting exercise, though! LOL!

Maybe these high gas prices are even affecting places like this, where I figured they'd have to get higher before I saw this. Or maybe all the people I'm seeing out biking and walking places are just smarter and catch on faster. ;-)

We've been inspired to do a few things:

1. fewer trips--if it's not absolutely needed, we put it off.

2. combining trips--especially if you can go somewhere on your way home from or going to work.

3. riding a bike with an empty backpack to the store (no bike trailer). We've done this several times, it just involves taking a bit more time and we can't buy as much at once. But hey, no gas usage and extra exercise!

4. we've also biked to the library, drug store, and movie theater. Our family doctor, a post office, and the dry cleaners (which we don't use often) are also within biking distance. A Target is across a very busy highway area, so we haven't attempted that yet (cars around here aren't real aware of bikes or pedestrians).

Are you noticing any difference where you live? What are you doing differently?

[vptpt]

1. In my town

A lot of bikes and people walking. Best thing is this - more riders on the bus! It's great!

[Dawn Quixote]

3. Bio diesel too...

After BICYCLING AS bicycle courier for many years,sometimes up to 45 mi. a day need a change! and a 82 diesel MERCEDES-BENZ with only 75,000 original miles and unmolested leather interior (dark tan) of course.Time for a green bio-fuel conversion PIMP MY RIDE and PARTIAL resto and this baby will be trick! GOING TO ADD EUROPEAN luggage racks to trunk and roof and wheel& tire conversion that will cost more than paid price of the used car?

[Bouncy Ball]

5. Welcome to DU

and I have no idea what that post was about!

But welcome!

[Lady Effingbroke]

2. Sadly, I'm not noticing much difference here in Houston.

Gas is about $2.05 a gallon in my area, still below most peoples' threshold of pain, I suppose.

I am biking everywhere possible - school, work, errands, etc. I really need to get a bike trailer so I can ride to the grocery store.

[candy]

4. Good for you! I'm trying to combine trips but my mileage is

very low anyway and the price increases still affect my budget.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

6. Bike commuted yesterday

10 miles to the hospital for the 4p-12min shift

was so HIGH, what a great feeling. two inch tires on the mountainbike. Really pushed it.

Mentioned it to a few people in the OR and a couple nurses and docs said they were thinking about starting to commute by bike.

However there is a new bike path going in over old train tracks that will be completed soon. ME I'm using night lights at mid night YEEEEEAHHHHHHHHH!