Auto Alternative: Two Wheelers

You may hear about people having trouble making the hefty payments on a car loan, but you never hear a similar gripe from motorcyclists or bikers. Since the costs of operating two wheels instead of four are lower, it's prompting a major switch in driving habits.

Rising prices at the pump have caused a wholesale shift in American attitudes. The once beloved automobile is being cast aside, and our hearts-and wallets-are reaching out to two-wheeled vehicles like mopeds and bicycles.

The rift in this long-standing romance can be attributed to the overall state of the economy. People are becoming more cost-conscious, and taking into account not only the skyrocketing costs of fuel, but also the monthly payments on an auto loan, insurance, and maintenance. Are the days of the auto numbered? Probably not, but there are definite reasons to substitute modes of transportation.

Ancillary reasons: Less pollution, foreign-oil dependence

The price of gasoline has inflated the cost of virtually everything in our economy. Food costs have shot up, alongside almost anything that requires shipping. To save money, Americans are eating out less frequently, reconsidering summer vacations, and renting movies instead of heading to the multiplex.

Commuting is a fact of life that can't be avoided for most people, but it can be modified. By switching from a gas-guzzling SUV to a moped or bike, you can drastically slash your overall transportation costs. A typical car costs some 60 cents a mile to operate when you factor in oil changes, maintenance, and depreciation, but a scooter is around 30 cents a mile, and a bicycle costs only 6 cents a mile. If you choose to purchase a two-wheeled alternative, very shortly you'll begin to recoup your costs.

Obvious choice: Overall costs

The automobile is at the forefront of today's social problems. Pollution from car exhaust and a heavy dependence on foreign oil seem to have increased global warming and forced us into compromising political positions. While critics on both sides of the political spectrum are promoting the use of alternative fuels, one instant way to decrease our use of fossil fuels is through conservation.

By switching from the automobile to mopeds or bicycles, Americans would not only slash their overall consumption, but significantly reduce their carbon footprint. The automobile is the prime perpetrator of greenhouse emissions. In light of the fact that alternative fuels appear to be on the distant horizon, conserving energy might be the best plan out there.

Economically and environmentally, the shift from the automobile to bikes and mopeds seems to be paying huge dividends. Perhaps these cost savings will cause a long-term shift from the car loan to one-time bike expenditure. In the process, you'll conserve fuel, reduce global warming, and save some hard-earned cash.

Everyone loves the car, but these days, the alternative looks irresistible. Take a good look at your own commuting lifestyle: It may be time for you and your family to shift gears.