Sjodin owns a Volkswagen Jetta, which he says gets about 30 miles to every gallon of fuel, but that's not good enough for this energy-conscious Homer resident. Instead, Sjodin has become increasingly dependent on his bicycles (he owns two).
"I look at it as an all-around win-win situation," Sjodin said. "Economically, it makes sense given gas prices. Physically, it makes sense because it's really good exercise."
Before he became aware of those pluses, however, Sjodin recognized that switching from auto to bicycle was stirring his environmental consciousness. He has experienced a growing awareness of the impact fuel consumption has on other countries, other people, the world.
"I've been trying to have a small footprint in terms of negative environmental impact," he said of the result.
Beyond his choice of transportation, Sjodin said he has installed energy-efficient light bulbs at his residence. He drains water from his kitchen sink into a bucket and uses that water to flush his toilet, rather than the three gallons of clean water that would be used by pushing the toilet handle. In the winter, when conditions force Sjodin to leave his bicycle at home, he walks to work, enjoying the benefit of 40-60 minutes of exercise in the fresh air.
Kyra and Neil Wagner also are bicycle advocates, riding their bikes yearround. Studded tires help them maintain their balance when icy winter conditions set in.
However, recognizing there are times an automobile is needed, the couple searched for the most efficient car available and, in 2007, bought a hybrid, a Honda Insight, on eBay.
"It gets as much as 80 miles to a gallon," Kyra Wagner said. "I told Neil when he bought the Insight, I was going to get a bumper sticker that says 'Runs on a little bit of gas and a whole lot of smug.' We're pretty glad we got it."
There are drawbacks to the Insight, though. Namely, it only holds two people, making it impossible to use for carpooling. For that, the Wagners use their Toyota.
"I really encourage 'big picture change,'" Wagner said, referring to opportunities for commuters to carpool to town and rely on bicycles or walking for shorter trips during the day. "(Homer's) climate action plan did a study on how many miles are driven in the city. In one year, it's something like 40 million miles."
A bicycle is Dave Schneider's choice for all his in-town travel.
"It's a win all over the place," Schneider said. "It saves bucks. It's green."
Schneider, owner of a Dodge minivan that gets 18 miles per gallon of fuel in town and 25 miles to the gallon on the open rode, has been increasing his bicycle use over the last 10 years. It, or walking, are his preferred methods of transportation from his home to his workplace, as well as trips to the post office, bank and "anything that doesn't involve hauling groceries or bottles of water," Schneider said.
From her perspective as owner of Homer and Cycle, Clare Waxman has observed that bicycle sales are on the rise this year.
"We normally start selling in March and April, with the biggest sales in May and June. I feel like it's moved back four weeks, where we're doing quite a bit more sales in April than we normally have been," Waxman said.
From what customers are saying, it isn't spring fever that's driving bike sales to new heights.
"A lot of people are bringing it up themselves that they're going to bikes because of gas prices," said Waxman, a bicycling advocate and the owner of a Prius, Toyota's hybrid car that she said averages 40-50 miles to the gallon.
For people not wanting to rely solely on the pedal power of bicycles that can be bought or rented from Homer Saw and Cycle, but eager to minimize their fuel consumption, Waxman will soon be carrying two different sized scooters: a 50 cubic centimeter and a 150 cc.
The 50 is small enough that it doesn't require a special motorcycle license and young drivers in the 14- to 16-year-old range can get a permit to drive it. It weighs about 175 pounds, gets between 60-100 miles to a gallon of fuel and can reach a top speed of 40 miles an hour on a flat road. It is made for only one person, but has two storage compartments. Selling price, including freight, is about $1,600. Insurance estimates Wxman's received run $300 a year for a 19-year-old driver and $150 for an adult.
The larger scooter costs about $2,500, ready to roll.
"Most people that I'm talking to either say right away, 'I'm going to get one,' or they think about it and say they wouldn't use it to commute 20 miles out East End, but their office is in town and they could do all their in-town running around with it," Waxman said. "What's interesting to me is that people think how they can make use of it, how they can change what they normally do every day to ride something much more efficient."
Derek Reynolds, owner of Cycle Logical, also is seeing more activity in Homer's bicycling community.
"I definitely feel like I'm incredibly busy for this time of year," said Reynolds, who is in his third year of repairing bicycles. "People are frequently commenting on the cost of gas and their willingness to ride (bicycles) more often."
It only stands to reason, then, that Reynolds is about to add bicycles to his inventory.
"They're not here yet, but will be by late May," Reynolds said of bicycles that will be for sale and for rent from his East End Road location.
For anyone wanting to give bicycles a try, Schneider offers an encouraging, "Just do it. It's so easy. So fun. You get hooked so fast, it's ridiculous. There are days and days when my car stays parked in the driveway. That's such a good feeling."
Sjodin is equally encouraging of walking or bicycling.
"If you live in town, you can walk everywhere. If you live out a few miles or upwards to 10 miles, really, it's just a matter of getting into the habit of doing it (bicycling)," he said. "I'd be very willing to bet that anyone who gets into the habit of doing it would actually really enjoy it and look at it as not so much taking away from their day by making the commute longer, but adding so much to the day by being a good way to start and end it, and be more physically active."
McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.
SIDEBAR (SAFETY)
Mixing methods of transportation means everyone keeps eye open for safety
By McKibben Jackinsky
Staff writer
As more and more pedestrians and bicycle riders begin sharing the road with drivers, issues of safety take on new meaning. They also require everyone's attention, whether sitting behind a wheel, placing one foot in front of the other or hanging on to the handlebars.
"Approximately 20 percent of all traffic fatalities are pedestrians," says the State of Alaska Driver Manual.
The State of Alaska Driver Manual offers safety principles to decrease that statistic. With regard to pedestrians, drivers are reminded to:
Slow down, yield and be prepared to stop when approaching pedestrians.
Stop for all blind persons, regardless of the traffic signal or situation.
Do not drive through an occupied pedestrian safety zone.
Do not pass a vehicle stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the street.
Be watchful for children.
Check mirrors before exiting your vehicle.
Pedestrians also bear the burden of safety. DMV reminds them:
Cross only at crosswalks.
Obey all traffic laws and signals.
Never cross a street on a green light about to run out of time or when a flashing or steady "Don't Walk" appears.
Look for turning vehicles before crossing the street.
Walk on the left sift of the highway, facing oncoming traffic.
Do not solicit a ride on or along a highway.
Wear light-colored clothing when walking along a roadway at night.
Do not drink intoxicating beverages or be intoxicated along the highway.
When it comes to bicycles, motorists are reminded to be alert and courteous. Bicyclists are required to obey traffic signs, signals and all traffic laws. They also must be alert to other traffic.
"Follow the rules of the road as best you can," Homer resident Dave Schneider said, drawing from his years of experience riding bicycles. "Drivers need to know what you're doing. They really dislike surprises that cyclists spring on them all the time. It's a courtesy that drivers appreciate."
His top safety tip for bike riders?
"Above all, wear a helmet," Schneider said.
INFO BOX (BIKE TO WORK WEEK)
A single journey begins with leaving the car at home
For the third year, Homer residents can explore alternative methods of transportation namely biking, their own two feet, carpooling, canoeing, kayaking, hopping, skipping, jumping, anything that doesn't require a car during the annual "Bike To Work Week." This year's event is scheduled for May 12-16. For more information, call 235-8812. To register, contact local bike shops or visit the Web at ww.homerhostel.com/homerbikes.htm.
|
|
• Advanced Search • Classifieds |
Homer Alaska - News -
Story last updated at
11:53 PM on
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Fuel prices increase; so do bicycles
Drivers find alternatives to cut transportation costs
By McKibben Jackinsky
Staff writer
|
|
|
| E-mail this Story a friend |
Send a message to the editor |
Have our Headlines sent to you |
