Commute Times & Gas Prices Are Up: How to Cope
A 2007 Gallup poll found that the average American spends 46 minutes commuting to and from work each day. But with the price of gas going up and up, many Americans are making adjustments to the daily trek. Here are some tips to save time, save money, save the planet, or save your sanity while commuting.
How Gas Prices Affect Commute Behavior
June 2008 Survey from Robert Half shows commuters are changing their habits
Almost half of the workers questioned in a nationwide survey for Robert Half International said gas prices are changing their commuting behavior. As the national average for gas hovered around $4, the survey discovered 44 percent of workers have made adjustments to their commutes, an increase of 10 percent over the number of workers a year ago who said they had made changes due to the high prices of gas. Gas averaged $2.80 a gallon last year when Robert Half conducted the survey.Survey respondents this year said they've taken the following actions to cope with rising gas costs:
- 46 percent are using carpooling or ridesharing more often
- 33 percent have started driving a more fuel-efficient car
- 33 percent are telecommuting more often
- 30 percent have begun hunting for a job closer to home
- 26 percent are working fewer days of the week
- 18 percent are walking or biking to work
Bike to Work Day
If you're looking for an alternative to driving, try bicycling
Get motivated with Bike to Work Day.
Bike-to-Work Day is an annual event held on the third Friday of May across the United States and Canada that promotes the bicycle as an option for commuting to work. Leading up to Bike-to-Work Day, national, regional, and local bicycle advocacy groups encourage people to try bicycle commuting as a healthy and safe alternative to driving by providing route information and tips for new bicycle commuters. On Bike-to-Work Day, these groups often organize bicycle-related events, and in some areas, pit stops along bicycle routes with snacks.
Bike-to-Work Day was originated by the League of American Bicyclists in 1956 and is a part of Bike-to-Work Week, which is in turn part of National Bike Month.
Commuting Bikes Can Speed You Up
Folding bikes fit on trains, buses and subways, oh my!
5 Speed Folding Bike Cruser Bike w/ 20" Wheels & Suspension Frame
Amazon Price: (as of 10/07/2008)
Schwinn Hinge Folding Bike
Amazon Price: $169.99 (as of 10/07/2008)
Stamina 15-0200 InTone Folding Recumbent Bike
Amazon Price: $183.59 (as of 10/07/2008)
20" Folding Bike Carrying Bag/Backpack
Amazon Price: (as of 10/07/2008)
New York City Bicycle Commute
It's healthy and better for the environment, but better wear a helmet!
NYC Bicycle Commute
My commute to work from midtown to chelsea on a fixed gear bicycle.
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Cut Your Commute with a Scooter
If biking isn't to your liking, consider a scooter.
Razor Pro Model Scooter (Clear)
Amazon Price: $45.45 (as of 10/07/2008)
Izip Stealth 130 Electric Scooter
Amazon Price: $129.99 (as of 10/07/2008)
Jumping All Over The World (Best of Scooter)
Amazon Price: $23.99 (as of 10/07/2008)
Radio Flyer My First Scooter
Amazon Price: $34.99 (as of 10/07/2008)
Buy Factory Direct Scooter/vespa Cover-large 86"lx37"x60
Amazon Price: $23.99 (as of 10/07/2008)
Save Time, Money and Sanity with Telecommuting
Need to convince your boss? Here's why he or she should listen
- Telecommuting is good for productivity. British Telecom has found productivity rose 31 percent among their telecommuters, Dow Chemical saw a 32.5% increase in productivity, and JD Edwards says telecommuters are 20 - 25% more productive than their office coworkers.
- Telecommuting is good for retaining employees. AT&T found two-thirds of workers offered jobs by other companies remained with AT&T, and telework was one of the major factors in their decisions
- Telecommuting saves money on absenteeism. Employers can save 63% of absenteeism costs per worker per year. A 1999 study showed the potential US employer annual savings through telework from reduced absenteeism, recruiting costs, and increased productivity could be as high as $441 billion.
Still don't think your boss will be convinced? Then check these links:
CareerBuilder
Telecommute Connecticut
Telework.gov
Quintessential Careers
CNN.com
Hypermiling tips to help you save gas and money
You'll get better gas mileage and save money
- Accelerate slowly from green lights and brake slowly for red lights
- Use cruise control on the highway
- Use engine oil of a low viscocity
- Remove cargo racks to cut down on drag
- Don't carry excess weight in your car
- Group errands together rather than making multiple short trips
For more information, visit:
CNN.com
TreeHugger
CleanMPG.com
A Car That Gets Over 100 mpg?
It could coming soon to a dealer near you
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The Amazing Compressed Air Car
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They emit zero pollution, get over 100 mpg, and have a range of more than 800 miles. Could cars that run on compressed air be the future of clean transportation? (Photo credit: Zero Pollution Motors)
Hypermilers on Wikipedia
Hypermiling is a term used in North America that refers to a set of techniques used to maximize fuel economy. Those who practice the techniques are referred to as "hypermilers." The term was originally coined by Wayne Gerdes, who is considered by the media to be one of the top hypermilers in the world,http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/24/earlyshow/main4125201.shtml and is known to hold the record for gas mileage in some common vehicles, including 30 miles per gallon (mpg) in an Acura MDX and 59 mpg in a Honda Accord.This Guy Can Get 59 MPG in a Plain Old Accord. Beat That, Punk
Hypermiling, which can be practiced in any vehicle regardless of its fuel economy, has gained in popularity as a result of the rise in gasoline prices during the 2000s.Hypermilers stretch their gas mileage - The Denver Post While common techniques can be carried out by average motorists making minor changes in their driving habits, some expert hypermilers use more advanced techniques, some of which may be illegal in some jurisdictions.[http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectID=15&articleID=20080717_15_E3_spa462136 Tulsa World: 'Hypermiling' tricks sometimes unlawful]
Extreme Commutes
Extreme commuters walk, bike and ride extreme distances to get to and from work
Traffic, Traffic, Traffic!
Photos from Flickr. Is this what you're looking at every day on the way to work?
Túnel
over the hills and f...
Traffic cop
Jhongli downtown
DSC_4259
Hollywood
![taxi?? by [puamelia]](http://static.flickr.com/3028/2917258007_33bdfb011d_s.jpg)
taxi??
Magical Mistery Ligh...
BoB Memorial 073 - H...
Flat Iron
New Motor Trend Photo Gallery
If looks are more important than mpg....
How Do You Commute?
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Celebrate Dump the Pump Day!
Dump the Pump Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the benefits of public transportation. The American Public Transportation Association says the benefits include "the opportunity for people to beat the high price of gasoline and support public transportation as an important travel option that helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil as well as reducing the amount of harmful greenhouse gases that are emitted into our environment."The third annual Dump the Pump Day was held June 19, 2008. Watch for the next one in 2009 and dump the pump!
