education and maintenance

High gas prices are fueling bike sales. But drivers are transitioning to bikes on roads designed for cars. Without education they run the risk of injury- as other crazy drivers remain in their cars.

Interesting to see the transition since when fuel prices were low drivers didn't want to ride or bike with other crazy drivers around on the same road.

As the Europeans transition out of food based biofuels the cost of gas may stay high and allow more drivers to transition over. Non food based biofuels will help cyclists with lower food costs and since food is our fuel, lower prices is good. More riders on the street will bring more safety.

But rising bike sales also means poor service and schedule delays at bike shops. Taking a maintenance class is important. It also helps you bike through the problems like flat tires that would keep a novice cyclist in the car. Work with your city or good area bike shop to put on one of these hands on training classes. Cities are grappling with the cost of fuel programed into their budgets at $2/- per gallon. They have additional motivation to put on maintenance classes.

On a slightly related front a bike group in SF at MYFarm.com has a business model to plant you a food garden and really lower the cost.