Runs on money, makes you fat

[Will]

I wish I knew how to insert images (that aren't on photobucket or whatever).

Anyway, there was a pic on this Facebook page I'm linking to with 2 signs:  first one has a drawing of a car and says "This one runs on money and makes you fat" and the second is a drawing of a bicycle and says "This one runs on fat and saves you money"

I thought they were very mustachian!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=477236465662082&set=a.289935947725469.88000.214433131942418&type=1&theater

[Punk]

Nice picture! I automatically made me think of this t-shirt design :


Source for those interested : http://www.threadless.com/product/562/Infinity_MPG

[Karl]

I love both of these posts.  But, I wonder if we could (somehow) find a way to actually estimate MPG for a bicycle.  I can think of the following petroleum-related inputs:

1.  Transportation of bicycle to owner
2.  (Possibly) Petroleum based energy to manufacture the bicycle
3.  Petroleum to transport the food to create the calories needed to use the bicycle


Any suggestions regarding how we might determine this? 

Now, please pardon me while I go out for an early morning bicycle ride.

[Bakari]

I love both of these posts.  But, I wonder if we could (somehow) find a way to actually estimate MPG for a bicycle.  I can think of the following petroleum-related inputs:

1.  Transportation of bicycle to owner
2.  (Possibly) Petroleum based energy to manufacture the bicycle
3.  Petroleum to transport the food to create the calories needed to use the bicycle


Any suggestions regarding how we might determine this? 

Now, please pardon me while I go out for an early morning bicycle ride.

Its been done:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/infinity-miles-per-gallon-21827.html

That was in response to my bike-to-work-day blog post on ecomodder (a site devoted to getting maximum mpg out of a vehicle)

The summary - biking is usually cheaper, but not always by as much as you'd think.  Lots of variables, highest among them how much you pay for food.

[Punk]

There are so many things to consider other than just food for biking vs gas for car. Maintenance costs for a car are much higher than for a bike. Insurance costs for a car should also be considered and some insurances vary their price based on how many miles you do per year. Even if you believe the cost difference is not big enough, the difference it makes on your life to bike (both physical and mental health) makes it worth it a billion times.

[Bakari]

I factored those costs in the analysis (using MMMs numbers from his cost of commuting post)
I also mentioned the exercise factor in the other thread.
I agree entirely that it is worth it overall, I was just surprised the financial margin wasn't higher than it is

[KGZotU]

Does regular aerobic exercise drop your base metabolic rate? That would be another factor to consider.

You could also consider that while you need a certain number/type of nutrients on a regular basis to maintain health, if you're adding a calorie debt you only need to fulfill it with calories. So you could fuel your bike ride with 4tbsp of canola oil. Obviously you can fulfill it with other, more expensive food, but you're not obligated to fulfill it with more expensive options like you are with your typical daily requirements.

[StarswirlTheMustached]

I agree with KGZotU. I always find the argument that your cost gains will be wiped out by extra food kind of absurd. I mean, you SHOULD be getting that aerobic exercise anyway... and, more to the point, I haven't changed my grocery budget since I began to commute by bike, and I've actually gained mass.

The real money savings come from going car-free, though. No insurance, no license fees, no multi-thousand dollar purchase every few years. If you're going to try and tell me that the single-largest recurring expense most people face is somehow offset by... extra food? You're out of your mind.

EDIT : I can already hear the masses wailing "Oooh, but don't you need a CAARRRR??"
In short? No. Not bloody often. There is a point where insurance costs intersect with rental, if you don't drive often. (That's going to depend on rental and insurance costs in your area, though). If I go to Home Depot and am picking up too much for a trailer, or am going too far to bike, even they'll rent me a truck.
That, or with the right social network I hear you can get rides for the cost of beer. Haven't tried that one, though, as I am a weirdo hermit type person.

[destron]

EDIT : I can already hear the masses wailing "Oooh, but don't you need a CAARRRR??"

This all depends on making good decisions to put yourself in a situation where you don't need a car. Those who complain about it have got themselves in a place where they really do need a car. The solution is to get yourself to a place where you do not need a car. I went 7 years without a car and I didn't feel that I missed much. Now I live in L.A. and commute way too far to work and I need a car. As such, my goal is to put myself back in a situation where I don't need to have a car, or can minimize my driving a la MMM.

[StarswirlTheMustached]

EDIT : I can already hear the masses wailing "Oooh, but don't you need a CAARRRR??"

This all depends on making good decisions to put yourself in a situation where you don't need a car. Those who complain about it have got themselves in a place where they really do need a car. The solution is to get yourself to a place where you do not need a car. I went 7 years without a car and I didn't feel that I missed much. Now I live in L.A. and commute way too far to work and I need a car. As such, my goal is to put myself back in a situation where I don't need to have a car, or can minimize my driving a la MMM.

You have far more faith in humanity than I. There are plenty of folk who've never considered going without an automobile even if it would only be a minor inconvenience (if that!). In my experience, the less they really need the car, the louder they try and justify it, and more likely they are to attack my lifestyle.