Good article on bicycle economics vs. cars

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on August 11, 2009 at 2:31pm

"The only way I can beat the economy of my Prius is to bike and fuel that bike ride with ultra-cheap food sources."

Oh, right, because the fuel economy of your car also reflects super-low insurance payments, right? Or do you not even have to pay for insurance, because you certainly haven't taken that into account? And do you have to pay to park that car with great fuel economy?

Sounds like someone is missing a few other variables in the equation.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by on2wheels on August 11, 2009 at 2:38pm

I am no scientist, but their thinking seems very flawed. If you want to talk about energy use, don't compare the cost of food to cost gallons of gas.

Energy to run car vs. Energy to ride a bike. Here is how my simple mind thinks of it (with their numbers)

Biking at 12 mph = 240 Cal/hour
Driving 30mpg car at 60 mph = 2 gal/hour or 62,000 Cal/hour
or - at 12 mph = .4 gal/hour or 12,400 Cal/hour

Sure it may cost more to ride your bike than sitting on your butt, but a car costs way more.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark on August 12, 2009 at 12:11am

yeah, a cyclist is probably going to eat three meals a day to have the energy to ride a bike, but isn't it likely that the Prius driver will also eat three meals a day. you need to eat to live. a cyclist puts his food to better use, while not spending money on gas. a Prius driver spends money on food and gas.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on August 12, 2009 at 1:57am

LMAO Mark!

M.A.R.K. said:

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by koala on August 12, 2009 at 5:56am

Keep in mind that the author is not attempting to determine the total cost per mile, only the energy cost per mile. That's why major factors like insurance and depreciation are left out.

Unfortunately, the author makes the mistake of equating energy cost per mile with efficiency. on2wheels points out above that bikes are much more efficient on a calorie per hour of operation basis . The conclusion I draw from all this is that gasoline is really cheap energy compared to food. Seriously. 62,000 calories in two gallons of gas? If food cost that much per calorie, you eat for two dollars a week.

[edit] wait . . . how much is bio-diesel?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ryan on August 12, 2009 at 7:27am

Agreed. I think the underlying message is that we need to find more energy rich food types. Or we can start drinking rocket fuel... But I'm guessing most of us imbibe enough ethanol as it is.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by igz on August 12, 2009 at 12:27pm

and the prius guy likely to be sitting at the McD's drivethru...a whole 'nother cost to consider

Mark said:

yeah, a cyclist is probably going to eat three meals a day to have the energy to ride a bike, but isn't it likely that the Prius driver will also eat three meals a day. you need to eat to live. a cyclist puts his food to better use, while not spending money on gas. a Prius driver spends money on food and gas.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on August 12, 2009 at 10:24pm

To quote the late Phil Hartman from Newsradio: "Rocket Fuel malt liquor! DAMN!"

Ryan said:

Agreed. I think the underlying message is that we need to find more energy rich food types. Or we can start drinking rocket fuel... But I'm guessing most of us imbibe enough ethanol as it is.

• ▶ Reply