Commuting by bike?

Sooo . . . if a simple and relatively inexpensive tool like a bicycle, in the hands of a moderately fit individual, can solve the problems of traffic congestion, vehicle-related polution, expensive gasoline, road rage, lack of monorail/light rail system, no time for exercise and job-related stress . . . why isn't everyone doing it?<br>

<br><br>Maybe this will be a motivator:<br>from today's New York Times <br>But the storm disruptions led Exxon Mobil, the world's largest publicly traded oil company, to issue an unusual recommendation to the nation's motorists.<br><br>"We ask that you use fuel wisely," the company said in newspaper advertisements yesterday. It suggested that drivers "conserve fuel by reducing trips" and "defer discretionary purchases to ease supply pressures."

"We ask that you use fuel wisely," the company said in newspaper advertisements yesterday. It suggested that drivers "conserve fuel by reducing trips" and "defer discretionary purchases to ease supply pressures."

<br><br>. . . a policy that I generally agree with, though unfortunately it puts Exxon Mobil (and other refiners) in the position of being able to maintain their current earnings schedule with lesser production . . .<br><br> archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-b...925&query=gas+prices

Well after only 7 days, I wake up this morning to find my bike light has been stolen. &gt; &gt;<br>Both front and rear.<br>At least I still have the charger.<br><br>My bike was locked up "outside" at the top of a completely covered stairwell.<br><br>Thank god I didn't buy one of those $500 lights.

eHHH! I ggot some lights dUdE! LLEETS go getssome crack!@!

Well after only 7 days, I wake up this morning to find my bike light has been stolen.

<br><br>That blows. Probably those damn TAY bike commuters, inspired by this thread. In Seattle, I pretty much always take my bike inside my house (or office) or at least leave it where I can see it (ie. coffee place). When I lived in New York City, I ammended that to "never out of arm's reach" . . . though a guy still followed my wife and her friend into our apartment with a gun and left with my bike . . .<br>

This has been a fun thread for me to read, I have been a pretty regular bicycle communter all over Seattle for the past 25 years. I feel that it is usually great to have the wind in my face and nothing better than a ride home after a busy day.<br><br>Full fenders (with the extension on the front fender) are a must for rainy riding, with shoe covers for really rainy riding. I have been happy with the blinking style lights lately, front and back. I have to point the front one down a bit or it affects my vision. I avoid the Burke Gilman if it too dark but traffic is usually quite light during those times.<br><br>I met a personal goal of riding the 3.5 miles from my Lake City area home to the NWAC and return on every forecast shift during the 2003-2004 season. But the 230 am departures did get to be a bit tiresome and I drove some of my forecast shifts last season.<br><br><br>