Economics of biking

http://www.grist.org/biking/2011-02-28-how-bicycling-will-save-the-...

 

I also view cars as investments that require sustained incoming cash flows yet give a consistent negative return because they lose value immediately upon leaving the dealers lot. Would any other investment by any financially reasonable person do this? Nope. Cars, financially make zero cents. Period.

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Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on April 13, 2011 at 2:54pm
I invested in some tacos today so that I would not die of starvation and could show up for work tommorrow. So far its paid off handsomely

Problem, Donald Trump?
Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on April 13, 2011 at 3:03pm
I don't owned a car and haven't for 7 years in May, why would that make someone uncomfortable?

H3N3 said:
I know. People who don't own cars should not admit it publicly. It makes people uncomfortable.
Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on April 13, 2011 at 3:24pm

You purchase a car, bike or any other "tool" to use to get a desired result. 

A 1964 1/2 Mustang in good condition is worth quite a bit more than what it was to buy in that same year.

A mid 70's Schwinn in near perfect condition is worth more than paid for in the day.

 

Anyway a car is not a "bad" thing inherently but if you live 5 miles from work, 10 blocks from the grocery store, live in a neighborhood with amenities that are all in close proximity a car is wasteful and unnecessary.

It's about choices.

Some people love to sit in a car and eat fast food drive thru fast food every day and that's not my problem. Get fat, heart failure, high blood pressure...etc.

I ride because most times it's faster than driving.

Definitely cheaper to park/to own and fix.

 

 


 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on April 13, 2011 at 3:33pm
Depends on how you feel about children.

H3N3 said:

Anyway a car is not a "bad" thing inherently

 

Cars are the leading killer of children in our country.  That doesn't seem bad to you?

Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on April 13, 2011 at 3:40pm
I do eat Garlic, and other various spices but it's not my intent to offend.

H3N3 said:
Good question.  Enviro-guilt is my best guess.  The best defense is a strong offense and all that . . .

Mike Zumwalt said:
I don't owned a car and haven't for 7 years in May, why would that make someone uncomfortable?

H3N3 said:
I know. People who don't own cars should not admit it publicly. It makes people uncomfortable.
Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on April 13, 2011 at 3:51pm

I like children but I'd never let them drive. We need to stop child reckless driving.


http://abcnews.go.com/US/CrimeBlotter/story?id=91862&page=1

not related stories, though maybe blood related.


notoriousDUG said:

Depends on how you feel about children.

H3N3 said:

Anyway a car is not a "bad" thing inherently

 

Cars are the leading killer of children in our country.  That doesn't seem bad to you?

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on April 13, 2011 at 4:32pm
Children are overrated.

H3N3 said:

Anyway a car is not a "bad" thing inherently

 

Cars are the leading killer of children in our country.  That doesn't seem bad to you?

Permalink Reply by Dan Korn on April 13, 2011 at 6:19pm
Allow me to sound extra smug for not spending any money at all to procure my bike.  The trash bin provideth.  I do, of course, spend a little bit of money on inner tubes, lights, and a few other ancillary things, but the main investment with a DIY freak bike is time.  And welding core.  FBFL!
Permalink Reply by cutifly on April 13, 2011 at 7:23pm
Hey Dan, I did not know you were a car hater. I can say the car I now have had for the past 4 weeks has not cost me a cent. My dad gave it to me, It still has 3/4 of a tank of gas still, all the plates and insurance are paid until the end of September and I never get tickets and Technically live in Northfield so I never need a city sticker. I won't park in a meter zone either unless my date is going to pay. I will say it is going to come in handy for my trip to Michigan Peace fest smoke out. There is no train and I think it would take the weekend to ride all that way. I would miss the event as it only lasts 2 days. As for the freakbike time, I did patch up my green tall rider using the welder next door at Marathon. It still does not ride quite the same, I was hoping to get it going for spring without having to chop a new one but I don't see that now. It's like riding a horse with a wooden leg after an accident and long recovery. Can I pass you a couple of hundred and you can chop me one similar to one I have now with an extended angle iron rear and 700c wheels. I like to still carry around a lot of stuff. You could call yourself an professional artist as I have never heard you mention you were one before. I look forward to the wrath coming my way. Cuti
Permalink Reply by Bob Matter on April 13, 2011 at 11:24pm

The fatal flaw in Elly Blue's article is that she fails to recognize that all benefits of a society accrue to the landowners.  Adam Smith wrote about this in the conclusion of book one of "The Wealth of Nations", and Henry George amplified and expanded on it in "Progress and Poverty" and other writings. For example if a neighborhood's compactness and proximity to transit offers its residents the ability to save $300 per month because they can walk, ride a bike, or take transit instead of driving, the rents in that neighborhood will simply be $300 a month higher. The landlords pocket the benefit.  If one buys instead of rents, the future $300 per month savings (or premium that can be charged for rent) are figured into the selling price of the land.

-Bob Matter

Permalink Reply by Michael Perz on April 14, 2011 at 2:45am

Cars are inanimate objects. Besides, even if cars were sentient killers whatever figures you used to arrive at that conclusion are wildly inaccurate.

 

H3N3 said:

 Cars are the leading killer of children in our country.  That doesn't seem bad to you?

Permalink Reply by Bob Matter on April 14, 2011 at 3:38am

Sorry Mr. Perz, H3N3 is [mostly] correct.  See http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/pdf/Unintentional_2007_BW-a.pdf.  MV accidents are the leading cause of death for all child age groups except 1-4 year olds where drowning narrowly beat car accidents for the #1 spot by 30 deaths.  The 2007 data seems to be the latest available. 

 

-Bob Matter

 

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