Day 8: Pedal Power!

Gas Prices Putting It In Park On Day 8 of Putting It In Park I took my bike. Riding side-by-side with traffic can get scary.

by Tiffany Craig

Published: Tue, July 15, 2008 - 8:36 pm CST Last Updated: Tue, July 15, 2008 - 8:40 pm CST

Day 8 of Putting It In Park is pedal power!

After asking for viewer suggestions, biking was the most popular choice.

News 5 Meteorologist Jene' Young and I mountain bike so we decided to tackle the road together.

Jene' says it's going to feel like 100 degrees. "We had a cold front pass yesterday so there's dry air in the atmosphere even though we're still going to be sweating a lot."

The rules are simple... you follow traffic laws just like drivers.

Of course, Jene' and I discovered that biking is easier said than done.

As we approached the intersection of Cottage Hill Road and University Boulevard, a driver either didn't see us or didn't care. I couldn't believe it. "A city (Mobile) car with a blue license plate nearly hit us! They were very close. Then, a woman rolled down her window, shaking her head and says you're putting your lives at risk."

Jene' and I agreed that a seven mile road trip to work is not really something we want to try again..

Jene' had a suggestion that is sort of a tease for Day 9. "I would probably ride my bike to a bus stop."

Our trip took a couple of hours. I'm happy to report, we both made it without a scratch.

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ShinKen Says:

Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 8:59 am

I’ve caught a few of these reports and it seems like they’d make an excellent basis for a sit-com. However, it would be a stretch to call them news.

There are thousands of people who get around with little or no access to cars. Instead of finding what ingenuity these people employ and sharing experiences, we instead get a lesson in how to free-load a ride from one’s boss and co-workers.

I guess Marshall McLuhan was wrong when he observed that the medium is the message. These days, it’s the reporter.

BamaBob Says:

Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 7:28 am

Here is an interesting idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mjUZEsduIE&feature=related

BamaBob Says:

Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 7:22 am

So, what is next? Skate board while holding on to a bus?

MeAmerican Says:

Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 5:40 am

If you follow the rules the cars follow, You WILL quickly become a hood statue!

carl Says:

Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 4:11 am

Dang! I’m always missing out on something, I missed out on getting more money ! I just got good looks and not much money.

BamaBob Says:

Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 2:00 am

Thanks sweetnsour, you are doing a pretty good job of showing your age as well. A couple of good things about growing older. One is a little wisdom and the other is a lot more money. lol

sweetnsour Says:

Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 1:03 am

Bama Bob you are showing your age. But that is okay we all have to either get older or already be dead. My point is, you are still hanging in there old man.

Surf Says:

Tue, Jul 15, 2008 at 11:37 pm

I travel around the Mobile area during the course of my business day in a car,usually more than 75 miles on average a day, and I have on more than one occasion seen a “city” car(one with a “blue” tag??) driving much worse than the “other” drivers. It’s been my personal experience that if you see a car or truck that has a city “blue” tag, you better get out of their way, because they think that if they have that “tag”, they are “entitled” to drive however they wish, and putting other drivers in danger is the least of their worries. I would love to be able to turn in all the “blue” tag numbers I’ve personal seen driving VERY dangerously. I’m glad that “finally” someone in the “media” has addressed this problem. Maybe, if we as citizens become more agressive in turning in those “city” employee drivers, we would all be able to arrive more safely at our destinations.

BamaBob Says:

Tue, Jul 15, 2008 at 9:22 pm

Back when I was in school, I had mapped out an area that would give me a good ten mile ride before I went to my first class. But, I didn’t have to deal with heavy traffic. Wouldn’t want to be in the traffic in this town while on a bike.

cjgravois@bellsouth.net Says:

Tue, Jul 15, 2008 at 9:19 pm

I agree that riding your bike to work may be a bit hard on a distance like yours, but remember, for those who live a short distance, maybe a mile or two, from work, walking and/or riding your bike to work is a wonderful idea. And it’ll keep you in shape! I do it every day.