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The tipping point has arrived
Posted By katie allison granju
I admit it. I’ve been one of those folks who never paid much attention to gas prices. Even when I’ve been seriously broke, that just wasn’t something I noticed.
But now, I am noticing. For the first time ever, I’m adding the numbers up and making some lifestyle changes as a result. I’m consolidating trips wherever I can. Staying home more. Consciously beginning the process of composing a life that will eventually make my car far less necessary (mostly by moving to a very walkable neighborhood with sidewalks, stores, schools, churches, etc - very near Downtown).
And it turns out that my anecdotal experience is reflective of a broader trend. For years, economists have been surprised to see that Americans didn’t really adjust their driving habits or car choices, even as gas prices kept going up. But now, the tipping point has apparently been reached.
The $4 mark, compounded by a sagging economy, could be a tipping point that spurs people to make permanent lifestyle changes to reduce dependence on foreign oil and help the environment, says Steve Reich, a program director at the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida.
“This is a more significant shift in behavior than I’ve seen through other fluctuations in gasoline prices,” he says. “People are starting to understand that this resource ? is not something to be taken for granted or wasted.”
May 9th, 2008
This is the number one thing I’m going to be looking for when I make the move back to (hopefully) Tennessee. Living someplace where I can compose a walkable lifestyle. I love my car - and I’ve always had one even in London - but I like being able to walk (or take public transport) to most of the places that I go.
I’ve been able to cut fill-ups in half by riding my bike to work at least three days a week.
Gosh, I would think you would notice before lots of people considering your long commute to take your kids to school way outside of your neighborhood.