On 2018-03-18 16:41, John B. wrote:
On Sun, 18 Mar 2018 10:05:02 -0700, Joerg
wrote:

On 2018-03-18 09:22, Frank Krygowski wrote:


[...]

It's folly to think that bike trails are going to generate an
America with fewer cars plus lots of thriving bike shops.


It does work here. Not fewer cars but more cycling. For me it has turned
from next to nothing to 4000mi/year while my car has dropped to less
than 1000mi/year. One core reason can be summed up in two words: Bike
paths. In my case mostly singletrack but that's just my preference.

One wonders, with all these bicycle paths why you have two SUV's in
the garage.

I have one and that didn't even see 800mi last year. My wife's car is a
Toyota Corolla, less than 1000mi/year. Why? I need the SUV to haul heavy
stuff such as half a ton of wood peelets, firewood, building materials,
measuing equipment to clients, and so on. My wife can't drive it because
she is petite and can reach the pedals (seat is not adjustable enough
for her), also doesn't like the stick shift much. Both vehicles are well
past the age of 20 and may live another 20.


... In fact, given that you only drive 1/5th of the time
wouldn't it be cheaper to rent a car for the few times that you want
to drive?


It would not make sense to buy them now but earlier in my career I was
not self-employed for a few years and I had to commute. Back then there
were no reasonable bike paths or safe bike routes into Rancho Cordova
from here. So we owned the vehicles already. The cost is now miniscule,
mainly just insurance (which you need anyhow even as a renter) and
taxes. These extra costs are much lower than renting. Plus less hassle,
I don't have to get to and from a rental place. Also, I can decide sur
of the moment to put a bike in there and drive to a nice trail or bike
path, either because it is too far away for a day trip purely by bike or
because there are no safe routes to it.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/