We all know that the political leaders raise the gas prices everywhere throughout the nation and people still go along with it like a herd of sheep. I have been here in Bend for a year and a half coming up from that overpopulated state to the south. The majority of residents here in Bend who do not need the auto have a simple yet effective alternative to spending money on their motorized chariots.
Pick up a bike, support a good bike shop that really is involved in the community, lose weight, save gas, help the city of Bend with pollution, etc.
I work in a grocery store here in Bend and constantly hear people complain about being overweight, they pay way too much for gas to operate their five-ton trucks … duh!!
I know it takes EFFORT to ride a bike, especially when there is a hill grade. Climbing up to Awbrey Butte every day after working a long 10-to-12-hour day doesn’t sound like fun, but look at it this way: We are considered weenies compared to the Russian gypsy women. Many of these women commute from one village to the next up in the mountains eight miles each day all year and many are in their 60s.
I bike every day and know how rewarding it is to bike compared to driving a car. The benefits are a healthier body, a youthful feeling, no need to find a parking space at the shops, no gas needed, no insurance needed except for theft, take the side streets, hear the wind, feel the cool air during the summer months, etc.
For those who live in Sisters, Bend, Madras and Prineville, why not park on the outskirts of Bend and bike the rest of the way to work, weather permitting? We all have the ability to do this and nothing is stopping any of you from doing this except the typical excuses people come up with. Ride more, obey the traffic signs and the rest is easy. See how much money you could save in one month. Cheers!!
The Produce Man
This article appears in Mar 20-26, 2008.
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“we all know political leaders raise the gas prices throughout the nation.”
No, we don’t actually know that, because knowing something that isn’t true is called ignorance, and fortunately for you, not everyone is ignorant. I would advise taking a class in economics 101, before shooting off your mouth before your brain was engaged.
“we all have the ability to do this and nothing is stopping any of you from doing this.”
What an asinine statement. Do they not have any disabled where you come from down there in good old Cali? Have you ever heard of Degenerative OsteoArthritis? No seniors with ambulatory problems down there? Would you ride your stupid bike if you had a ten penny nail hammered into each of your joints?
Wise up, junior.
If I were a Russian gypsy woman I might follow this guy’s advice …
But seriously: Bike commuting is simply not an option except for the relatively young and fit, and it’s not a very practical option for anybody who lives a significant distance — say, over five miles — from his/her job, especially in the Central Oregon climate in the winter (and winter here goes on for about eight months). I have no rap against bike commuting for those who want to do it, but I think focusing on bikes as the solution to our transportation problems only diverts attention and resources away from more practical and realistic solutions, such as public transit.
Seems like we have alot of lazy people here in Bend who are just too comfortable with their cars with heated seats, nice sound systems, heat blowing in their faces etc. I see alot of over weight people here in a city that claims to have many many healthy people…………..hmmmm?? Public transit here in Bend would be wonderful but won’t happen due to lack of vision from the political parties involved in this city. If the police don’t do anything that needs immediate attention here why would the city get an efficient transit system up and going? Seems like senior up top is one of the older over weight types with as many excuses as the rest of the winers. Hey man the political interests are great but do we really have any true ability to really change the oil prices here in this country? No we do not. Can the guy up top go down to the pentagon and say ” hey I want the prices changed now back down to $1.50 per gallon so do it”. Noooo!
Yo man what is up with the gas man?