Originally Posted By DAR <<while DAR has taken a vow of near poverty to save the Earth>> No I haven't but my lifestyle is not as extravagant as those preaching. Henceforth I am doing more.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "No I haven't but my lifestyle is not as extravagant as those preaching. Henceforth I am doing more." Pretty unusual logic. How does the lifestyle of Ed Begley, Jr., for example, invalidate the substance of what he's saying?
Originally Posted By CrouchingTigger DAR already said that Ed Begley Jr. is an example he'd like to see others follow.
Originally Posted By friendofdd LOL I present a serious study, and, like all good Americans, we spend our time explaining why we can't do it. Of course, in this case it is easy to chide because I own and ride two scooters. In the 40 years I've been riding m/cs or scooters, I've only been killed a couple of times. But it has been worth it. I've saved about a gazillion dollars on gas. Now, officially, I reserve the right to make excuses why I can't do other things to "save the planet". But I promise to keep riding my scooter. Just two weeks ago, I rode it to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. Much more satisfying that in a safety feature laden car.
Originally Posted By CrouchingTigger >>In the 40 years I've been riding m/cs or scooters, I've only been killed a couple of times. << But you got better?
Originally Posted By CrouchingTigger Call me a quitter, but I think I'd give up riding scooters the first time I got killed.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>I present a serious study, and, like all good Americans, we spend our time explaining why we can't do it.<< OK, here is my contribution: Cars that get 30 mpg on the highway Plenty of fluorescent bulbs I buy 600 kWh of wind generated electricity every month (for an additional $6 per month).
Originally Posted By friendofdd >>>But you got better?<<< Actually the bit about dieing was a slight exaggeration. I started riding and bought my first m/c in 1967 and have owned one or more ever since. There have been a couple of accidents, but the worst damage was just a tear in the knee of my jeans and a helmet that was replaced because it had taken a bad bump. On the other hand, I've been driving cars for 56 years (started at age twelve by driving a truck in the fields of our farm) and been hit by drunk drivers on three occasions. Recovery was difficult on one of them. Many of us on LP have been involved in auto accidents. Some very serious, but few of us say "Cars are dangerous, I won't ride in one." It seems an interesting perspective to me. Anyway I'm glad to have picked transportation that is enjoyable and also beneficial to all of us. If one has an interest in learning about scooters, I suggest taking a class. A week-end or two of classwork and riding will safely let you know if it is something you might want to do. Simple and inexpensive. They even provide the bikes.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I own a Ford Explorer and a Chevy Malibu. I bought the Explorer in 2001 right after 9-11 when they were practically giving them away. At the time it made sense as my family was growing and we travelled a lot. Gas prices weren't high then either. I bought the Malibu in 2005 when we were at war and gas prices were spiking up. My wife also had taken a job that had her driving 50 miles a day as opposed to the 6 a day that I drive. So, am I sorry now that I own the Explorer? Well, it's paid for so I'm not sorry about that. But, I sure don't like filling up the gas tank and it will make me think twice when I buy the next car. With a family of four (possibly 5 someday) I'm going to have to pick a larger vehicle but I will consider mpg when I do make that decision. As for safety, I do think there is something to that...particularly for a husband/father. When my wife was pregnant I had her drive the Explorer more often than the Malibu. Why? Because we both felt like she was safer. Was that a false sense of security? Maybe. I will tell you that she was rear ended the week before she gave birth to our first child and the police officer told her she was lucky she was in the higher vehicle. Rational? Maybe. South Florida has probably the worse public transit in the country. Broward County employees, either this week or next, are being required to take public transportation to work in a study of the system. I spoke to a woman who told me it would take 2 1/2 hours to get from her house to work...which is 20-30 minutes from her home. So, she has the "choice" of travelling for 5 hours a day or 1 hour a day. What would you choose? There is a lot to be done, individually and as a society.
Originally Posted By jonvn I don't know a single person who has a motorcycle who has not been hurt on it. In some cases, very badly. No thanks.
Originally Posted By DAR And I know several people who have motorcycles, my dad has a Harley, who have never been hurt.
Originally Posted By friendofdd There is a sense in which you know me, Jonvn. And when we get together for that cup of coffee someday, I'll probably ride my scooter to the meeting place. Hope you'll associate with someone wearing an armored jacket and carrying a helmet.
Originally Posted By jonvn "And I know several people who have motorcycles, my dad has a Harley, who have never been hurt." I'm glad. I'm not getting one. "And when we get together for that cup of coffee someday, I'll probably ride my scooter to the meeting place." I'd be careful about meeting me then. It might jinx you! "Hope you'll associate with someone wearing an armored jacket and carrying a helmet." Why not? That's how I sleep at night.
