It's almost funny how many ways people are saving gas. If they had done all of those things ten year ago, we might not be having some of these problems.

If you watch the traffic going by, you soon realize that people are dragging out the old car from the barn, the garage, the basement, or even the back yard and putting it back on the road. Why? Smaller engine, less power, better gas mileage.

The same is true of bicycles. A daily commute of a mile or two on a bike won't make you old before your time, but it will leave gas in the car and money in your pocket. However, that bike won't do you any good hanging in the garage. And consider the exercise.

They say that Sedgeway sales are up. These two wheeled, self balancing pogos are rather expensive, but they adapt well to police and security work. I read recently that parking lots patrolled by Segeways have far less theft and vandalizm. Patroling in a car works too, but creeping around a parking lot in a Ford Tarus is not cheap. The operating cost of a Segeway is very low. (Hmmm. Sedgeway? Segway, Segeway, Sledge-away. If I wasn't lazy, I'd look it up.) College students are famous for being broke, but if you can afford it, a Sedgeway is a good way to sprint from class to class. Some schools will let you plug in for a recharge for free. They figure it means one more available parking space.

Shoe leather is not cheap, but it must be cheaper than gas. And it doesn't pollute like gas. If you can spare the time, a one mile commute that takes five minutes in a car* will take about 20 minutes and will save you gas.

Commuters are taking the bus, where available, and saving the gas to go places where the bus doesn't go.

Car pooling in on the increase.

Motorcycles and scooters are more common during the morning commute. Almost all two-wheelers get better gas milage than four-wheelers. And parking is sometimes easier. Just hope for nice weather.

Even vacationers are considering fuel consumption in their travel plans. Depending on where you live and where you like to vacation, it may be cheaper to fly, ride the train, or take a bus.

This might also be a good year to take in that vacation spot that is close to home.

If you live near a seaport, cruises can be a good deal. Be warned that parking might cost a bundle at the pier, so look for hotels that offer park-and-cruise deals. Better yet get somebody to drop you off and pick you up so your car stays home.

If you have ever taken a vacation where you drove all day and then stayed in a resort hotel and went to a theme park, you might be surprised by how cheap a cruise is by comparison.

Camping can be tough on the fuel budget, but if you drive a smaller vehicle and camp in a tent or pop-up trailer, you can travel for a lot less money. Motor homes are famous as gas hogs. Ask a dealer how many models he has that will get 12 miles per gallon and he will likely turn and walk away.

And have you noticed some people are actually driving at or below the speed limit on the interstate? I am not making this up. You can't drive very long without seeing someone in the right lane driving below the speed limit. I hope they are watching the rear-view mirror, but I know they are saving gas.

You can also alter your driving habits, slowing down a little further back from a stop, or taking off a little slower. Loose a little speed going up a hill and gain it back coming down the other side.

Turning off the air-conditioner might not save you any gas, because open windows mess up the car's aerodynamics. But if you can stand it, a little perspiration is good for your skin.
Howard
*If a mile in five minutes seems slow, think about getting in the car, starting up, driving, stopping for a red light or two, finding a parking space and locking up. You will be lucky if you can do that in five minutes.