Getting Around

Top 7 Secrets To Commuting By Bike

 

Do you wince when you fill up your gas tank? Don’t expect the pain at the pump to end anytime soon. That makes it the right time to grab your bike and use it to get to work and run errands. You’ll save money and Do Your Part for the planet at the same time. Here are my ‘Top 7 Secrets to Commuting by Bike.’

1) Ride the Right Bike

The right bike will make all the difference in the world. There are simple mountain bikes or ones made with commuting in mind. You can find ones which will have everything from chain guards to fenders to hardwired lights. There are even bikes with skirt guards so you can wear your favorite dress or skirt without worry.

2) Ride Responsibly

In places where there are no designated bike lanes, position yourself as far to the right as is practical. And, be on the watch for the so called “door zone” with cars parked on the street. That’s the space where drivers open up their doors which can cause serious injury to cyclists. Try not to ride on sidewalks which are for pedestrians or on the left side of the street where drivers may not see you until.

3) Select Safety Accessories

A bike mirror mounted on your left handlebar will be your best friend. You can use it to scan traffic behind you. Another good idea is a set of lights for the front and rear. If you’re going to be riding early in the morning, at dusk or at night, lights are mandatory as it is almost impossible to see a bike clearly during these times. You’ll also want to invest in a bike lock.

4) Research Your Route

Your usual way of getting someplace by car may not be the safest way to go by bike. A higher level of comfort will only come with time and experience so if you are new to commuting by bike, plan your route carefully. Google maps offers a fantastic tool for this that factors in your mode of transportation and will filter out bike unfriendly roads.

5) Stash Your Stuff

You’ll also need some way to carry your stuff. Backpacks or messenger bags are good options especially ones with a waist strap. You could also use a basket or rear racks. You might be surprised to see how much you can actually transport with the right equipment.

6) Use Your Helmet

Make sure your helmet fits properly. It should be snug but comfortable and the bottom edge of the helmet should be two finger widths above your eyebrow. And remember, ones with more vents are better in the summer and less vents will make you more comfortable in winter.

7) Stay Strong

At some point, somebody is going to tell you that you are crazy for using a bike to get around. Keep in mind that they are the ones paying those shocking gas prices. You, on the other hand, are Doing Your Part by reducing your dependence on foreign oil and contributing less pollution to our planet.

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Do Your Part: Rent, Swap, and Share – Anything!

If you’re looking for a way to swap, rent, and share what you have directly to other people – it’s now easier than ever. This new way of doing business is the perfect way to Do Your Part to reduce waste and be thrifty!

Take a look at this.  Say you’re getting away and want to rent a house for a day or even a month.  I could browse the pictures of this beautiful living room one day…and be sitting in it the next! AirBnB.com is an easy to use hub for linking home owners with travelers who want anything from a one night getaway in New York City to a longer stay in a mountain cabin.

The same goes for the car you own.  RelayRides.com hooks up drivers in need with car owners. You can see what’s available where you are and check out the price per hour, day, and week.  That’s a smaller example of a bigger success story. ZipCar.com allows thousands of drivers to access cars at any time across the country.  Now, think of all the things that are just sitting around your house that someone else would like to use. It could be video games, books, or a designer purse. Swap.com is one place to go to swap what you don’t want for something you do. Your options are absolutely endless.

And, anyone with children knows just how quickly they outgrow clothes.  ThredUp.com lets you earn credits for gently used clothing you no longer need. Then, use those credits to shop for the children’s clothing you do want. Getting more use out of the things we already own is an important way to Do Your Part. Utilizing technology to help make it happen also makes it easier than ever before.

 

 

 

 

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Top 7 Secrets to Commuting by Bike

Do you wince when you fill up your gas tank? Don’t expect the pain at the pump to end anytime soon. That makes it the right time to grab your bike and use it to get to work and run errands. You’ll save money and Do Your Part for the planet at the same time. To make sure you have everything you need to get started, I’m collaborating with Ellen Stoune, former president of the Rock Hill Bicycle Club in South Carolina to share our ‘Top 7 Secrets to Commuting by Bike.’

1) Ride the Right Bike

The right bike will make all the difference in the world. There are simple mountain bikes or ones made with commuting in mind. You can find ones that will have everything from chain guards to fenders to hardwired lights. There are even bikes with skirt guards so you can wear your favorite dress or skirt without worry.

2) Ride Responsibly

In places where there are no designated bike lanes, position yourself as far to the right as is practical. And, be on the watch for the so-called “door zone” with cars parked on the street. That’s the space where drivers open up their doors that can cause serious injury to cyclists. Try not to ride on sidewalks that are for pedestrians or on the left side of the street where drivers may not see you.

3) Select Safety Accessories

A bike mirror mounted on your left handlebar will be your best friend. You can use it to scan traffic behind you. Another good idea is a set of lights for the front and rear. If you’re going to be riding early in the morning, at dusk or at night, lights are mandatory as it is almost impossible to see a bike clearly during these times. You’ll also want to invest in a bike lock. 4) Research Your RouteYour usual way of getting someplace by car may not be the safest way to go by bike. A higher level of comfort will only come with time and experience so if you are new to commuting by bike, plan your route carefully. Goggle maps offer a fantastic tool for this that factors in your mode of transportation and will filter out bike unfriendly roads.

5) Stash Your Stuff

You’ll also need some way to carry your stuff. Backpacks or messenger bags are good options especially ones with a waist strap. You could also use a basket or rear racks. You might be surprised to see how much you can actually transport with the right equipment.

6) Use A Helmet

Make sure your helmet fits properly. It should be snug but comfortable and the bottom edge of the helmet should be two finger widths above your eyebrow. And remember, ones with more vents are better in the summer and less vents will make you more comfortable in winter.

7) Stay Strong

At some point, somebody is going to tell you that you are crazy for using a bike to get around. Keep in mind that they are the ones paying those shocking gas prices. You, on the other hand, are Doing Your Part by reducing your dependence on foreign oil and contributing less pollution to our planet.

 

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Change Your Oil Change

No matter how you look at it, changing your oil is a dirty job. Do Your Part when it’s time for your next one to make it as clean as can be.

You know that old rule about changing your oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles? Well, check your manual. Newer cars are usually more efficient and drivers can go much longer between oil changes. Then, pick a better oil. Conventional motor is derived from crude oil. It usually is cheaper than synthetic oil but synthetics make your engine run more efficiently so you’ll get better gas mileage and more horsepower.

And now, there’s something new. Valvoline is one of the first major manufacturers to offer motor oil made from 50% recycled oil. And, it works just as well as any synthetic variety. You can do it yourself or take it to one of their oil change centers.

But remember, if you’re not the one changing your oil make sure the place you take it to responsibly recycles the old stuff. You can also take your own used motor oil and oil filters to full service recycling centers and some car shops.

Whatever you do, don’t pour oil down a storm drain! That’s because one gallon of oil can contaminate a million gallons of water. Do Your Part to change up your oil change to keep our environment clean and your car running efficiently all at the same time.

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Carpooling Made Easy

Whether you’re a busy mom like me or someone who has to battle traffic just to get to work each day – consider carpooling. It’s an ideal way to Do Your Part because it cuts down on air pollution and expenses.

Have you even calculated what your commute costs? There are online calculators which factor in your work days, the miles you drive, your car’s fuel economy, the current price of gas, and even parking costs.

Now that you know what you’re really spending on driving – figure out how to save money and a whole lot of time. There are dozens of websites for creating carpool schedules with people you know from school or work. They’ll even email you reminders when it’s your turn to drive. Most have Facebook pages to make it even more convenient.

And of course – there’s an app for it! In fact, there are many carpool apps that are perfect for families, co-workers, and even people looking to share a ride across the country.

The benefits are big. You’ll help get more cars off the road, use less gas, and there’s less wear and tear on your car.

Website Sources:
DivideTheRide.com
http://www.zimride.com/
http://www.erideshare.com/

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Maximize Your Fuel Efficiency

Do Your Part by maximizing your fuel efficiency no matter what you drive. Using less gas means fewer emissions and that’s better for your wallet and the planet. Here are my top five ways of getting the most out of every gallon:

First up, don’t drive aggressively. Speeding up and slamming on your brakes can reduce fuel mileage by as much as 33 percent!

Tip number two – keep those tires properly inflated. It’s easy. Proper tire pressure levels can be found right on the tire. When they’re at the right level you can save you up to 8 cents every gallon.

Also important – clean out your car! The weight of sports equipment or an unused stroller can add up. Every 100 pounds of extra weight will cost you about two percent in fuel costs.

Cruise control comes in at number four. It will help conserve gas on flat terrain. If you’re driving through hilly areas…it’s best to switch back to foot control.

And my fifth and final tip – don’t delay routine maintenance. When do things like change your oil when necessary, your car won’t have to work as hard which saves you gas and money.

These are all easy ways you can Do Your Part to conserve gas and keep a few extra bucks in your pocket.

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It's Electric! Terri Test Drives the Chevy Volt

If you’re in the market for a new car and looking for an eco-friendly option you may be interested in the Chevy Volt. The start button is a really cool feature. Just press it and you’re good to go. It’s surprising to see not only how smooth the ride was but how quickly the car accelerates.

Here’s how it works differently than anything else. The Volt can run for about 35 miles with no gasoline and no emissions. When the battery runs out, the Volt can tap into it’s small gas tank and drive hundreds of miles more.

Think charging the volt is complicated? Think again! All you do is put one side of a plug in the car and then plug it in to any standard sized outlet.

It takes up to ten hours to recharge the battery which is located underneath the back seat area. The location of the battery makes the car safer to drive but you do lose that third seat in the back.

So what’s a Chevy Volt going to cost you? A little more than $42,000. But it’s important to point out that you can get a big tax credit including one for more than $7,00 from the federal government.

Driving the Volt will help you Do Your Part to reduce the amount of gas you use when you hit the road and you’ll be doing it in style!

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Save Big On Your Next Car Repair

Used auto parts often end up in a scrap metal pile or in the landfill. But today, many parts are being re-manufactured and it’s a great way to tread lightly on our planet by considering these practically new parts the next time your car needs to be repaired.

Honda is one automaker that offers re-manufactured parts as an option. These parts have been sent back to the manufacturer, stripped down and completely rebuilt.

Eric Hawkins, the parts manager at Honda Cars of Rock Hill says, “There’s a substantial savings using a recycled part. A new transmission — an automatic transmission — could be as expensive as $4,000. A re-manufactured transmission could be anywhere from $1,500 to $1,800.”

In most cases, you save up to 50% off the price of a new part. And some car makers offer warranties on their re-manufactured parts. A Honda warranty gives you three years or 36-thousand miles! In fact, Eric Hawkins told us that we can expect to get a better warranty on a re-manufactured part than on new parts.

Parts that can be re-manufactured include transmissions, starters, alternators, audio equipment and even tires can be stripped down and rebuilt!

Remolded tires are made from old tire casings. Not only are they safer than retreaded tires, they take less petroleum to make and keep used tires out of landfills. Now, isn’t that a great way to tread lightly on our planet?

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Ditch The Car and Grab Your Bike

More and more commuters are riding their bikes to work. It’s a great way to save money, get in some exercise and it’s good for our planet!

“I always feel great when I’ve commuted on my bike and didn’t have to crank my car,” says Katie Overcash who works at Bicycle Sport in Charlotte. She suggests starting with the right bike. There are dozens of options depending on how far you have to go. But before you take off, cyclists must know the rules of the road.

“They have every right to be on the road. Not the sidewalk, the road.”, says police officer Jason Hooven of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department. It doesn’t matter if you are riding a bike or driving a car, you must obey the same traffic laws. And, people in cars need to give cyclists a little more room. “They have to give the cyclists two feet when they pass them,” reminds Hooven.

Bicycle Sport also educates its customers about biking to work. Overcash says, “We have a lot of customers who are commuters so I can hook them up with other commuters. We have commuter sessions here at the store and you can learn tips and tricks.”

There are a few essential accessories you’ll need. First a helmet. Make sure the straps are comfortable below your ears – not too tight underneath your chin but not too loose where it comes off. Lights – if you’re riding dusk to dawn. A “flat pack” has everything you need to fix a flat. And don’t forget about securing your bike! “Cyclists should definitely lock up their bikes,” says Officer Hooven.

Biking to work can be a fun way to tread lightly on our planet. “Think of them as someone who is helping the environment, getting exercise and doing the right thing,” says Overcash.

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New Carwash Recycles 100% of Water

Everyone likes a clean car. You can Do Your Part when you bring your car to Autobell where they recycle more than 80% of their water.

But get this their newer locations like this one in Waxhaw have new, state-of-the-art technology which means they are able to recycle 100% of their water.

Dirty water from the car wash is filtered and ultimately ends up in this 8,500 gallon tank where enzymes devour the dirt and pollutants. A bag of nutrients is periodically added to the tank to keep the enzymes working efficiently.

The system works so efficiently that most of the water in this tank is the actually the same water they originally started with when they opened. Once the water is cleaned, 100% is recycled and brought back into the car wash to clean your car.

Not only do they recycle most of their water but their soaps are also biodegradable. Plus they keep the polluted car wash run-off out of the environment.

That doesn’t always happen when you wash your car at home. First, you’ll likely use more water when you wash at home and all the soaps and chemicals cleaners you use could runoff into a nearby storm drain. These drains carry that runoff into creeks and streams that feed larger rivers that are the source of our drinking water supply.

If you do wash your car at home, a simple solution is to wash it over a grassy surface where the soil can filter out the pollutants.

A clean car makes you feel good and helps you maintain the value of your investment.

When you take your car to Auto Bell you’ll be doing your part to conserve water and keep chemicals out of our local water supply. Remember — “People can tell when you Autobell.”

To Learn More Visit:
Autobell Carwash

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