New Green ThoughtsSaving the environment one word at a time

While riding around a bicycle may not seem like the safest thing to do in a big crowded city like New York City, recent studies have at least shown that the streets have become a lot safer for those who are pedalling around on two wheels.

There are roughly 180 000 bicyclists that weave through the busy streets of Gotham City everyday and while the number of 2 000 casualties seem pretty high – it’s still lower than the 4 000 that the year 2000 saw when there were less than 100 000 riders.

With the riders being more conscious of safety and with motorist being more aware of the presence of bikers, we could hopefully expect the number of casulaties to even go down further.

The US government has just started a widely controversial, but still very popular program as an effort to reduce the American dependence on crude oil and increase awareness about matters concerning the environment. The “Cash For Clunkers” project is all about giving back your fuel-inefficient vehicles in exchange for cars that have greater mileage.

Older models of Chevrolet, General Motors and Ford have been getting sent back for the newest model of the Toyota Prius. The Prius has been known for a very long time as one of the premier smart cars in the market. Chevrolet has also started in on the green act by releasing the now much-talked-about Chevy Volt.

Public transportation has had its share of issues as far as greenhouse gases today is concerned and apparently, Dublin has moved forward with the use of eco-cabs. The service and the usual things are there except the oil using engines which contribute largely towards how greenhouse gases and pollution are in play today.

Also, the seating capacity may not be that many as they have been limited to a 3-passenger capacity and if you are lucky enough to get some good advertisers, you can use that to pay for the cab driver’s daily salary.

Ecocabs can be found in Dublin, Ireland, and are a new-age bicycle rickshaw with a full tilt “ad-wrap” around the back that can’t be ignored. The clever part about Ecocabs is that the advertising pays for the vehicle and the driver’s salary, so the trip is entirely free to the passengers. Up to three passengers can fit in the back of an Ecocab, but the green transportation is only available in the most congested part of Dublin.

I guess another benefit is that the fit Ecocab drivers are probably a little more fun to look at than some of the New York City cabbies that I’ve risked my life with.

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Apparently we all hear today that if you want to continue the luxury of driving the roads using your private transportation, the trend is pointing to two things:

1. Use alternative fuel
2. Convert to a Hybrid or Electric Car

Alternative fuel in the form of bio-diesel is likewise a good consideration. But just like oil, up to when will oil last? For sure, our current crop of vehicles may cost much to convert to these fuels that originate from vegetables, crops and algae. In short, the environment and life stream that an engine feeds on may not necessarily be a smooth transition.

Of the two, it seems that many are turning towards electric cars. There is the use of solar energy, most of which have been offered in the market today. But the thing is there that limitation of travel time. With the use of batteries to power you up to where you may go, you should know that there is a limit as far as battery life is concerned.

So it all boils down to drive to adjust to these constraints as far as electric car transportation is concerned. Batteries may be rechargeable but what if you find yourself on the go practically all the time, having less hours to sleep which is likewise needed by your car to get a full charge the following day? Now that is an issue many discount.

Considering a shift in transportation needs is indeed ideal. But the thing is, cars are not the only ones that have to adjust. Your lifestyle will need a change as well and for the better.

It seems that fuel prices increase daily and one of the normal practices of the usual commuter and car owners would be to fill up their gas tanks before the new price would take effect. But would it be wise to do so? You will save a couple of gallons and in effect feel that you have saved yourself a lot. However, is it still feasible considering that daily increases seem to be compounding and the average motorist would eventually have to fill up their vehicles with gas after some days.

As far as lining up and filling up your car with gas, it seems impractical at this point. Oil price increases will not stop and are a reality. We all want to save each penny as much as we can but with crude oil escalating like crazy, you just have to deal and live with it.

Oil resources are scarce these days. It makes you wonder of the time in the 1970’s where gasoline shortage was apparent. Today, 38 years from that fateful event, here we are again. And the best solution is just to adjust in the best way we can. Here are some tips you can try out. Some may be familiar but it never hurts to remind you just in case.

1. Limit your Trips. Don’t go on side trips unless it is necessarily important
2. Turn off engines when parked. We normally get lazy to turn off and on the engines when we are in a still position. Save a little bit by turning off the engine.
3. Use public transport. If you don’t have anything important to go to, use public transportation. You can really save a lot on gas and spend more on fares.
4. Join the clamor for alternative fuel. There are alternatives such as LPG and bio-diesel. While their reliance is still in doubt, try and study and even join in the clamor for them.

There is also one big recourse and that of which is to shift to hybrid and electric powered vehicles. The price may be steep but a one time investment may be sufficient in savings in the end.

Gas and oil prices seem to be increasing their price by the day and many are wondering how the current crop of gas guzzling vehicles can cope up with them. Imagine the price of crude oil in the market today which is expected to hit the $6 mark, you just have to wonder how these people can manage using them if their pockets are fast becoming empty as well on fuel expenses.

It is apparent that this is something that people never considered before. No one saw it coming and apparently it is all too late but the shouting. Wise decisions and spending are not too late though. You can stop driving these SUVs, or try to sell them (if there are people who would be crazy enough to afford them) and get a lower fuel-consuming car or hybrids.

It is a hard choice but hard times require wise measures. And this includes stepping on the brakes on gas guzzling vehicles that you can certainly do without today.

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