Back to Commuting by Bike and Reflection on Energy

I have recently repaired my bike that got trashed in my accident. I have a new seat, front wheel and disc, handlebars, and some scavenged shifter from my first road bike. The 1999 Kona Kapu still lives on...

I am really excited to get back to commuting to work, especially with the extreme gas prices. While writing this, I was reflecting on a previous post. I have removed some of the more emotional language in the original post on September 30, 2005:

"Looking back at 1989, gas prices were around $1/gal. At best, gas prices are now near $3/gal. If someone did not change their driving habits, their gas expenses would increase three times. This is a hard pill to swallow given that wages have not risen at a commensurate pace with gasoline.

...You hear people kicking and screaming about how they can't afford this or that and that credit card delinquencies are on the rise due to rising fuel costs. My take...do something about it. Ride a bike to get around for trips less than ten miles. Buy a used compact car or just get a car with better mileage."

From November 4, 2005

Q: What does the cost of energy effect? A1: The cost of producing goods. A2: The amount of personal expendable income.Q: How can you slow the growth of any business? A:Raise the underlying costs of producing goods.Q: How can you slow the growth of a county? A:Raise the underlying costs of doing business and reduce the ability of the consumer to spend.Q: How to NOT slow business and GDP growth? A:Get off of carbon based fuels.

To those that drive their SUVs with only the driver in the vehicle, Happy Consumption! We reap what we sow, relieving restrictions on domestic oil production does not change the critical aspect of the Carbon Economy:Growing demand from China and India. We optain a substantial amount of oil from foreign sources subject to supply disruption (result: Higher Cost)

In 2007 U.S. refineries produced 90 percent of the gasoline used in the United States. Although the United States is the world’s third largest crude oil producer, less than 35 percent of the crude oil used by U.S. refineries was produced in the United States. Net petroleum imports (imports minus exports) accounted for 58 percent of our total petroleum consumption. About 48 percent of our net petroleum imports were from countries in the Western Hemisphere, 18 percent from the Persian Gulf, 22 percent from Africa, and 12 percent from other regions.

More domestic supply will buffer the effect of instabilities from foreign sources, but it does not put downward pressure on price of Crude or the price at the pump. A stronger economy (stronger dollar) and less demand will be to our collective benefit.