übercrunchy

According to the AAA, the average annual cost to drive a car is $9,641, excluding loan payments! That’s not even taking into account today’s sky-high (for the U.S.) gas prices. That’s just the direct financial cost to individuals, but of course driving a car also carries a high environmental cost. Motor vehicle emissions represent 31 percent of total carbon dioxide, 81 percent of carbon monoxide, and 49 percent of nitrogen oxides released in the U.S. (The Green Commuter, a publication of the Clean Air Council) (via).

A growing trend that can decrease the impact of the old horseless carriage on your wallet and on the planet is to ride a bike when possible. It’s unclear how many bicycles exist worldwide, but in 2006 Australian bicycle sales outpaced automobile sales by over 300,000 units (via).

Convinced to start commuting by bicycle? There’s no time like the present to start, May 16 is Bike-to-Work Day. For more information on bicycle commuting, check out http://www.bikecommuters.com/.

On a budget? No need to run down to your local big-box store and pick up a “cheapo special” that’s been shipped halfway around the world, just check craigslist, freecycle, area thrift stores and garage sales, and you’re almost guaranteed to find a higher quality used bike for less money than a “-mart” model. Maybe even for free if you’re lucky.

Paradoxically, at least one study has shown that by increasing the rider’s lifespan, regular bike riding may harm the environment more than it helps. Hey, that’s the kind of trade-off most people would be willing to make.