Pedaling Is A Lot Easier Than Paying These High Prices At The Pump
I saw in the Union-Tribune the other day that San Diego gas prices have risen back to pre-pandemic levels.
According to the paper, the average price per gallon is a whopping $3.43.
Normally, this would send me into one of my “danged rip-off oil companies” rants. I would then always be on the lookout for gas price signs in hopes of finding a station with much lower prices.
But now, it does not bother me. Or, to quote rocker George Thorogood in one of his songs, “that don’t confront me.”
This is because I have gone carless in San Diego.
These days, I get around by mainly on my bicycle or public transportation via the Trolley and bus system. Which is excellent here. (Hey, I just fairly recently moved form L.A., where anything that moves one in the right direction that gets you within a mile of your destination, is a public transportation triumph.)
My car broke down on I-5 within a few miles of Encinitas BMW and after I had it towed there and was told of the estimated repair bill, I told them to keep it. The kindly people there gave me a check and I haven’t checked a gas price since that time.
And here’s the thing: I don’t miss by car at all. Granted, I don’t have to drive anywhere for work or go anywhere for food or other essentials. I live in the Gaslamp where 90% of the stuff I need – including pubs and clubs – is a 5-10 minute walk.
I write PubClub posts at home, hope on the bike when I need groceries (and other essentials such as wine, haha) and use public transport the rest of the time.
Did you know it’s only $6 a day to ride the Trolley and buses!?
Plus I have access to FRED (Free Ride Everywhere Downtown, a downloadable app) and Uber/Lyft whenever needed.
If I ever need to go anywhere beyond the area, as I did a few months ago to get to Redondo Beach two hours up the coast, I rented a car. It cost me $45, including gas.
I also no longer have to pay car insurance or worry about getting a parking ticket.
Rising gas prices? Not a problem. All I need to do is keep the tires inflated on my bike.
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