Green Gets a Boost from Gas Prices

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Green Gets a Boost from Gas Prices

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CraigL

posts: 9051

Nov 21, 2007 2:14 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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It`s a wonderful thing. Everyone knows that we here in America are destroying the Earth as quickly as humanly possible. Yet, despite this unadultrated disrespect for clean air and water, and the looming catastrophe of global warming, a few passionate people are doing their best in helping us avoid utter destruction.

The Green movement has faced an uphill battle until lately, in the face of anything from apathy to downright antagonism. It`s not easy being green, and Kermit the Frog once said, but at last there`s hope.

It won`t be long before gasoline prices creep up to the $4/gallon level. And if we`re lucky, we can get up to around $5/gallon within the next year or two. Oil already has hit $100/barrel, and hopefully we`ll soon see it at $200 per barrel and higher.

When prices reach the magic $5/gallon at the pumps, the American public will finally have to go green. We can envision people sailing to work, using horses, and cars powered by windmills---maybe even a Segway.

Given that the industrial northeast is one of the primary causes of global warming, $300/barrel oil should shut down all that nonsense. All that smoke and pollution is killing polar bears left and right, but not for much longer.

People in cold climates won`t be able to afford filthy oil heating, and will move to the warmer climates of the South. We`ve got plenty of room in Louisiana and the southwest, with ample solar and wind power to last eons. With no cars and less industry, we`ll finally get back to our roots, growing food on organic farms and weaving our own clothes.

It`s a long, uphill battle, but there have been the bright spots of recent history. Nuclear power has been all but halted in its tracks, and we`ve seen a fabulous increase to the bird population, what with the total block against offshore and Alaskan oil drilling.

All in all, we`re in good shape. Now if we can just get the minimum wage up to $15/hr., people would finally be able to live a decent life, as they`re entitled to do so.

CraigL

posts: 9051

Dec 09, 2007 3:32 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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December 10, 2007 --

By SARA KUGLER

NEW YORK (AP) - The horse-drawn carriages that clip clop around Central Park could be banned under City Council legislation to be introduced at the urging of animal advocates who say the horses are treated inhumanely.

Councilman Tony Avella, who plans to introduce the bill next Wednesday, said the horses that have entertained tourists and New Yorkers for decades are exposed to cruel conditions and are at risk of injury or death as they weave through city traffic.

In September, a horse died after it was spooked by street musicians with drums and bolted down Central Park South. It was the second such incident in less than two years.
(link...)

Oh well...it was a good idea, right? Ban cars, end global warming, and return to the more natural mode of transportation. Guess we can`t have it both ways, though, can we.

CraigL

posts: 9051

Dec 10, 2007 1:49 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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bert

posts: 393

Dec 10, 2007 4:28 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I ride my bike to work several times per week. Most think I am an idiot but I think it is the right thing to do. I have been trying to get more people to do it at work and in our community. You will not believe the excuses I get from businesses and our government when I try to get them to change how we think about biking. I even offered pay for all the expenses to add a bike rack at our office complex, but the owners of our building said bikes were too dangerous and they did not want the liabilities. So I set up a bike storage room in our offices. At least our employees have a safe place to put their bikes. To be called homo sapiens (knowing man), it makes you wonder when we will the knowing part will kick in...

-------------------------

Bert at Harvey Software, Inc.
Multi-Carrier Shipping Software and Supply Chain Solutions for Internet Retailers

Also a provider of free shipping information and resources at Harvey Software`s Parcel Shipping Blog along with free tracking solutions at TrackingPage.com...

pabsb

posts: 4

Jan 04, 2008 11:48 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Good for you! Biking is good for the environment and good for you too (exercise).

My husband and I are hoping that the increase in gas prices will encourage more people to consider biking to work.

We are opened up a retail location this weekend that is selling electric vehicles - starting with electric bicycles and electric scooters. (www.paelectrics.com)

Might not have a lot of sales until spring get here - cause we are in chilly PA - but you never know.

-------------------------

Bonnie
www.paelectrics.com

Dump the Pump - drive an Electric vehicle!

bert

posts: 393

Jan 04, 2008 3:08 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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That`s great. Do you plan to sell your bikes on-line or just at your retail location?

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Bert at Harvey Software, Inc.
Multi-Carrier Shipping Software and Supply Chain Solutions for Internet Retailers

Also a provider of free shipping information and resources at Harvey Software`s Parcel Shipping Blog along with free tracking solutions at TrackingPage.com...

pabsb

posts: 4

Jan 23, 2008 10:14 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Sorry for not responding sooner - forgot to click the "Email Notify me of Replies" and just saw your reply today.

We plan to sell the bikes both at our retail location and online. Some of the manufacturers that we are representing offer drop shipping.

Waiting on the POS system to arrive. Once we get it set up - I will be updating our website to allow customers to purchase the bikes online.

Bonnie
www.paelectrics.com

Dump the Pump - drive an Electric vehicle!

-------------------------

Bonnie
www.paelectrics.com

Dump the Pump - drive an Electric vehicle!

bert

posts: 393

Jan 23, 2008 12:45 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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That sounds great. Let me know when you go live. We are working on an alternate transportation web site for bicycling and other forms of green public transportation. It will have a regional business focus but everyone needs to get to work somehow, so it should really fit in. Just send me a message through SuN when you are ready to go live.

I am sure you have thought of this but you should also let http://www.treehugger.com/ and other sites like it know too...

pabsb

posts: 4

Jan 24, 2008 10:55 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I am sure you have thought of this but you should also let http://www.treehugger.com/ and other sites like it know too...

Yes, we will. Hubby belongs to the Electric Auto Association and a few other electric vehicle forums / organizations. Once we have the date of our Grand Opening set - we plan to announce it to all of them.

I will also post it here.

-------------------------

Bonnie
www.paelectrics.com

Dump the Pump - drive an Electric vehicle!

greenspinner

posts: 3

Mar 07, 2008 12:02 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I have been biking and riding the bus for the last 2 years. I bought and electric hub motor but battery life up hill with SLA`s doesn`t get you far and pulling around and extra 45LBS doesn`t sit well ( I was riding up a slight grade for eleven miles and usually into a head wind). Electric works well for short trips and until battery tech becomes more affordable few are going to shell out close to $1,500 for a set of poly batteries. So the electric motor went to my son`s bike and I just use it for short trips. I bought a 4-stroke engine kit and have well over 1,500 miles on it with no problems. I went with a 4-stroke over 2-stroke because you can fill up at any gas station and don`t need to pre-mix your fuel also the torque characteristics of a 4-stroke are stronger. I now sell these kits and build motorized bicycles. What I want to do is make these machines more user friendly as I write this you need to have some mechanical knowledge to install one on a bike. Support is almost nonexistent, my plan is to setup shops that build and maintain these bikes.

Gas millage is between 130 and 150 MPG with speeds between 30 to 35 MPH. Alcohol is another fuel option that I will experiment with in the future, diesel engines would be nice but I think weight will be prohibitive, possible a recumbent trike may work. Hybrids have and weight issue but there is a super capacitor that may be available in the next few years and could work to make electrics have greater range. The advantage with motorized bikes is most states don`t require license, registration or insurance these alone would pay for a bike in a year, take into consideration the rising cost of gas and some could pay for a motorized bike in a month.

http://greenspinner.com

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Http://greenspinner.com

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Green Gets a Boost from Gas Prices

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