Can you believe that gas is almost $4 a gallon? I remember in high school, gas was about $1 a gallon. My brother and I were sharing a car and would put a dollar bill in the ash tray each time we took the car somewhere. Those were the days.

It amazes me how people don't believe we are running out of oil. I have been hearing this since my undergraduate science classes. We should have been developing technology that utilizes other kinds of energy years ago. Drilling for more oil isn't the answer. There may be enough oil left on Earth to last another 100 years, but then what? I frustrates me how some people think about only their needs and their lifetime. It's time to start switching over now to other alternatives.

In the spirit of consuming less, I am going to give bicycle commuting another try. I had a bike in Alaska that I used to tool around Seward. When I got back to Lansing, I bought a bike and rode it a few times to campus. The trouble was I had too much "stuff" to carry on a bike. My book bag was filled with books. Usually I bring my laptop and gym clothes to campus too. Plus I would arrive at work sweaty. But now it is the summer time. So I should have less books. I just got over my episode with mono, so I haven't been to the gym since March (although I am hoping that changes soon).

Today I am bringing my bike into the Bike Shop at MSU. They recycle old bikes found on campus (and in the river) as well as lease bikes for a very reasonable price. My bike seat was stolen in the fall, so I need to get that replaced. It is also pretty rusty from being left outside all winter. I had is covered with a tarp, but it is not looking so great. I am also getting a rack that goes over the rear wheel from a friend in case I decide to bring a gym bag. I already have a helmet and ankle reflectors, so I am pretty close to being set.

There is a very cool blog I found a link for on the MSU Bikes website called Copenhagen Cycle Chic. A fellow Blogger.com, well blogger, it shows that women can be fashionable and commute on a bike.

From the blog: "It's social documentary and bike advocacy in high heels. Daily life in the world's cycling capital, Copenhagen, where 36% of the citizens ride their bike each day on an advanced network of bike lanes. This blog highlights who they are and how bikes are an inseparable part of our streets and our culture. And how a normal bike culture doesn't involve lycra, expensive gear and fancy bikes."

Sweet! It has inspired me to not dress is soccer shorts and a t shirt everyday. At least until is get to 80 degree and above.

Worldwatch.org reports an interesting statistic comparing bike and other modes of transportation. I have heard bikes are the most efficient mode of transportation before and I feel guilty for not using mine more often.

Energy used per passenger-mile (calories):

Auto 1,860
Bus 920
Rail 885
Foot 100
Bicycle 35

Hopefully I will stick to my cycling for the summer. I decided not to get a parking pass for campus, so that should help. Some days it will be frustrating when I want to run errands after work but have to cycle home first. It will also be discouraging to be reminded how out of shape I am at first. In the long run it will be worth it.