Thursday, 31 March 2011
Sunday, 27 March 2011
My Commute - Part 3
Having admired the view from the Go-Between Bridge it's a quick view of South Brisbane as we head down the bridge and smoothly onto the bikeway on the other side.
The bikeway takes us around past the trees that you can see in the right of the photo. Also, it's worth noting, that while cars have to pay a toll on this bridge, bicycles travel for free! :)
[My Commute - Part 1 :: Part 2 :: Part 3 :: Part 4 :: Part 5]
The bikeway takes us around past the trees that you can see in the right of the photo. Also, it's worth noting, that while cars have to pay a toll on this bridge, bicycles travel for free! :)
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Bike Power
Just say this great clip form 10 news. They did the old Bike v Car test race. Starting from East Brisbane, the cyclists made it to King George Square in under 15 minutes ... easily ahead of the car. The article also talked about how bike sales are booming as people discover it's a better way to travel.
The funny thing was that when i watched the video it was preceded by a car ad, which claimed its latest model to be the "smart thing to do". You can imagine my laughter. :)
The funny thing was that when i watched the video it was preceded by a car ad, which claimed its latest model to be the "smart thing to do". You can imagine my laughter. :)
Saturday, 12 March 2011
Over 40 km
That's how far i reckon i rode today. And i don't think i could have done it without my electric bike.
It was 10km to the library (obviously not my local one) for an event there, and 10km home. Then i rode my 'normal' bike over to a friend's and back (about 3 km). Then took the electric out to a function (about 9km each way). Approximate total 41km - all for about 12cents worth of electricity.
Oh, and kudos to the storey bridge hotel for having bike parking.
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Update: I've since google-mapped it. The library was 10.1km, my friend's 1.7km, and the function 9.1/9.5km (i went a different way home, just for fun). Total travel 42.2km.
It was 10km to the library (obviously not my local one) for an event there, and 10km home. Then i rode my 'normal' bike over to a friend's and back (about 3 km). Then took the electric out to a function (about 9km each way). Approximate total 41km - all for about 12cents worth of electricity.
Oh, and kudos to the storey bridge hotel for having bike parking.
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Update: I've since google-mapped it. The library was 10.1km, my friend's 1.7km, and the function 9.1/9.5km (i went a different way home, just for fun). Total travel 42.2km.
Saturday, 5 March 2011
How Much A Car Really Costs
In Green Is Good, i read the cost of running a Hyundai Getz is $106/week. Even more alarming, a Landcruiser is $327/week. Ouch!
The info comes from a 2004 study by the NRMA. They include the following costs:
Because their aim was to compare cars, they left out the extra costs that are independent of which car you drive. Things like parking costs, parking fines, speeding tickets, cleaning, etc. Also, they assumed that you had the cash up-front, so they don't include interest payments on money borrowed.
The info is now available through an online calculator. The Landcruiser now comes in at $360/week. It's the kind of thing that makes me feel sooo much better about being car-free.
The info comes from a 2004 study by the NRMA. They include the following costs:
- Depreciation in value
- Interest lost by not having the money in the bank
- Registration, insurance and car-club membership
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Fuel
Because their aim was to compare cars, they left out the extra costs that are independent of which car you drive. Things like parking costs, parking fines, speeding tickets, cleaning, etc. Also, they assumed that you had the cash up-front, so they don't include interest payments on money borrowed.
The info is now available through an online calculator. The Landcruiser now comes in at $360/week. It's the kind of thing that makes me feel sooo much better about being car-free.