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April 24, 2008
$7 Gas Coming: Tipping Point for Public Transit, Bicycles & Alternative Cars?
Now the predictions are really getting people's attention: "Surging crude prices, which could surpass $200 a barrel in four years on tight supplies, could push gasoline prices to as high as $7 a gallon, CIBC World Markets analysts said Thursday," MarketWatch said early this afternoon.
Currently, U.S. oil is $116 a barrel, down $3.90 from Tuesday's "historic high." The national average is $3.56 and in Los Angeles, the upward trend pushes the local average to nearly $3.85.
Photo of a Downtown LA gas station last Friday by Zach Behrens/LAist
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Welcome to Europe 10 years ago.
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Heh, yeah no kidding - about 8 bucks in the UK right now.
I have to say, ive just started taking the bus to SM from the Valley and its been surprisingly efficient. Considering my average car commute was around 35-45 mins, I can now get to the same loc in 50-60 mins and for the princely sum of 5 bucks instead of the AAA guestimate of 20 bucks. There's a handful of buses so its not perfect, but its entirely doable as a valid alternative to attacking the 405 alone. Not to mention the fact that I get to work entirely chilled rather than that dull spike of anger lingering from when *that* person did *that dumbass manouver* when I drive.
So for the sake of 10 mins average, I have someone else drive me to and from work and I get fresh air rather than pod existence. Bonus!
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I have started taking the bus to work too. When people start using public transit, they need to remember that it will never provide them end point to end point transit (they are extremely lucky if it does). Having the right expectation is extremely important.
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Just watch - seven dollars, and the same number of cars will still be on the road.
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I'll be car-less by next week! It's been sitting in the garage useless because I've been walking to work. I'd like to buy a bicycle but I have no clue as to what the best brands are or what kind is right for me. Also, I'm *terrified* of angry drivers. Are there any tutorials out there for noobs like me?
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PinLA, right on.
gas would have be like 20 bucks a gallon before anyone would stop driving everywhere. and maybe not even then. $7 is not going to faze the hummer-driving d bags one bit.
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"I have no clue as to what the best brands are or what kind is right for me. Also, I'm *terrified* of angry drivers. Are there any tutorials out there for noobs like me?"
is, Alex Thompson recently posted an excellent column on the latimes emerald city blog.
Cut and paste this link...
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/emeraldcity/2008/04/how-do-i-get--1.html
My advice would be not to buy a new bicycle. There are tons of good servicable bicycles on craigslist, at garage sales, and in thrift stores. I bought a nice Nishiki 10 speed that is probably 20-30 years old, still has lots of life left in it, rides great, and only paid $35 for it. The link I gave you has a lot of good advice on joining the new bicycle culture, including some non-profit bicycle collectives where you can get hands on instruction, and advice from people who have been riding for years, and are happy to give advice to a newby.
So read up!
And WELCOME!!
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Congrats iseulb. I would recommend finding the LA Bicycle Kitchen. They could likely give you some great pointers, help you get a bike together and address your local commuting concerns.
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iseulb,
I would recommend sitting down with mapquest and plotting out different routes to work/ school, etc. Its good to get a few that avoid major streets, as certain parts of town (Wilshire Blvd in BH, K-Town, and Hollywood among others) can be pretty nasty to riders. best to have a back route or two.
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As someone who used to drive 3 blocks to satisfy a hot cheetos craving, this is all new to me so thanks for all the help :)
jrb - I read the article and the info was exactly what I needed. dtgjr - Although I'm not handy with tools, I just might check it out. TarPitRob - That's what I was afraid of. I work on Wilshire Blvd. where the roads and sidewalks are packed with cars and pedestrians.