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Welcome to the first alternative transportation challenge. The purpose of this challenge is to keep track of fuel saved through not driving. There currently isn't a way to keep track of such information in the mileage logs, which was the motivation for creating this.

The rules:
-Alternative transportation will be defined as a transportation method that avoids travel in a personal vehicle. Almost any method that lets you meet that criterion applies: Carpooling, public transit, walking, biking, snowboarding, and so on.

-The preferred trip distance calculation is the in-car distance avoided. For example, if a trip would take you 5 miles in your car, but a bus drives 6 miles to get you to the same place, the car miles avoided would be 5.

-Data is “entered” by replying to this thread. I will update the results periodically, when I have time. To make it easier for me to spot the pertinent information, please post it in a format similar to the following:

USERNAME: seftonm
DISTANCE: 4mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Golf TDI

-The “vehicle avoided” item will be used to calculate how much fuel is saved. So you should either have a fuel mileage log for your car, or provide an average mpg for that car. If you can’t provide an average fuel economy, new EPA numbers will be used. To make things easier for me, I will look up your average fuel economy only once. All entries related to that car after that point will assume the same average, even if its fuel economy in the mileage log has changed.

Separate entries don’t have to be made for each trip. A day’s / week’s / month’s worth of information can be combined into one entry if you wish.

Final results from January 1 to March 31, 2009:
Username|Commute Method|Distance (mi)|Fuel Saved (gal)
Bike123|Carpool|466.0|15.10
Bike123|Human Power|531.0|17.00
Bomber991|Bus|287.5|11.50
Doofus McFancyPants|Worked from home|72.0|2.57
dwrig4|Bike|30.0|0.94
fanamingo|Public Transit|1214.2|30.36
fanamingo|Carpool|216.5|5.41
fanamingo|Walking|16.3|0.41
Fuzzy|Bike|158.0|5.26
groar|Worked from home|740.0|13.79
Lugnuts001|Bike|7.6|0.11
pdk|Carpool|538.9|10.46
pdk|Bus|119.6|2.32
pdk|Bike|5.7|0.11
rdprice64|Bike|51.4|1.96
rdprice64|Bus|25.2|0.71
rdprice64|Walking|2.8|0.13
rdprice64|Worked from home|86.4|1.56
Scandinavian Gigolo|Bike|583.1|17.10
Scandinavian Gigolo|Bus|237.5|6.96
Scandinavian Gigolo|Foot|10.9|0.32
seftonm|Bike|72.3|1.54
seftonm|Walking|10.6|0.23
Skwyre7|Carpool|703.6|17.16
wriconsult|Bike, Rail|24.0|0.67
Totals||6211.2|163.67





Thanks for participating and have fun! I hope there will be enough participation to keep this first attempt at the challenge going over the next 3 months.

interesting idea, mike. course people like you, sean and i may have to consider dogsleds :)

i wish there was a way to participate, but the location of my house makes it impossible. the shortest walk to anyplace is about 2 miles along the shoulder of a 4 lane, high speed road. right now the shoulders are covered with ice. the other direction to the same place is about 3 miles and winds around narrow, uphill roads with no shoulder.

the town i am closest to is a college town, and it is quite walkable. there's also a shuttle between saint benedict's (the girls college in town) and st. john's about 5 miles down the road. maybe that can make up for my lack of ability to help out.

so mike, what are you going to use in the winter as alternative? this is a serious question, not a smart a$$ one. i am wondering the opportunities where you are for alternatives.

Lol Laurie, a dogsled would definitely be welcome some days. That sounds like a tough walk for you and definitely not something to attempt if you value your safety. Every little bit helps though, so try out the shuttle or walking in town if you get the chance.

My bicycle is the primary alternative for me in winter. I ride it to and from school, and to homes of nearby friends. It's not cold if I bundle up and the roads I use are clear enough of snow so that it's not too treacherous. My bike gets pretty stiff when it's below -20F, so I often end up walking if it's that cold.

I also use the bus, but only on very rare occasions. Lots of people like to complain about our public transit system. Taking the bus from our old house meant about a 40 minute trip for 4 miles to school. I don't much bus experience in other cities to compare that with so I can't really say how good or bad that is.

wishi could say i use the shuttle, but the town i live near is mostly there for me to drive through on the way home. i do patronize some of the businesses, but use of the shuttle is mostly for students going back and forth. i work about 16 miles from home, and even were i in shape to ride, it would be a long and arduous journey. impossible in the winter.

Morning commute
USERNAME: Skwyre7
DISTANCE: 10.6 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Corolla
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical SG data): 0.24 gallons.
CALCULATED FUEL SAVED (based on new EPA number of 30 MPG combined, as per post #1): 0.35 gallons

Afternoon commute
USERNAME: Skwyre7
DISTANCE: 10.8 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Corolla
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical SG data): 0.24 gallons.
CALCULATED FUEL SAVED (based on new EPA number of 30 MPG combined, as per post #1): 0.36 gallons

Total for Today
USERNAME: Skwyre7
DISTANCE: 21.4 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Corolla
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical SG data): 0.48 gallons.
CALCULATED FUEL SAVED (based on new EPA number of 30 MPG combined, as per post #1): 0.71 gallons

Thanks for the"bump" Michael, I forgot about this.

USERNAME: rdprice64
DISTANCE: 4.2 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: FEH
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 0.16 gallons.

I've done this twice, since the year started.

USERNAME: rdprice64
DISTANCE: 1.2 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Walked (0.8 miles)
VEHICLE AVOIDED: FEH
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 0.05 gallons.

Talked the lunch bunch into walking through the slush and slope rather than driving today!
Eliminating the low-FE, short trips one day at a time :)

Yesterday's commute (1/5/09)
USERNAME: wriconsult
DISTANCE: 24 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: bike + rail
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Jetta WaGN BIKN
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.67 gal

Last month (12/22) I did a most unusual alternative commute. Sorry it's outside the 1/1-3/31 challenge period, but it was incredible enough to be worth reporting (especially for you snow-country people) anyway. Portland got its biggest snow in 40 years (13" in one storm, 19" total over a couple of weeks), and I used my skis to get to work. I've never skied to work before but have always wanted to. We get enough snow to do it about once every 5 years, so I seized the chance when I got it.
- Home to downtown rail station: 3 miles, skis
- Light rail from downtown to suburbia
- Suburban rail station to work: 0.25 miles, skis
- Trip to nearby store to grab lunch: 0.5 miles, skis
- Work to suburban rail station: 0.25 miles, skis
- Light rail from suburbia to Oregon Zoo rail station up in the west hills
- Ski most of the Zoobomb route (http://zoobomb.net/) into downtown and on to home: 6.0 miles and 700' net descent, skis

10 miles total skiing, with an incredible and long-lasting downhill run into downtown. Not a bad day. :D

I hope you have a shower facility at work :eek: That skiing looks like a good workout!

Yesterday's commute (1/5/09)
USERNAME: wriconsult
DISTANCE: 24 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: bike + rail
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Jetta WaGN BIKN
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.67 gal

Last month (12/22) I did a most unusual alternative commute. Sorry it's outside the 1/1-3/31 challenge period, but it was incredible enough to be worth reporting (especially for you snow-country people) anyway. Portland got its biggest snow in 40 years (13" in one storm, 19" total over a couple of weeks), and I used my skis to get to work. I've never skied to work before but have always wanted to. We get enough snow to do it about once every 5 years, so I seized the chance when I got it.
- Home to downtown rail station: 3 miles, skis
- Light rail from downtown to suburbia
- Suburban rail station to work: 0.25 miles, skis
- Trip to nearby store to grab lunch: 0.5 miles, skis
- Work to suburban rail station: 0.25 miles, skis
- Light rail from suburbia to Oregon Zoo rail station up in the west hills
- Ski most of the Zoobomb route (http://zoobomb.net/) into downtown and on to home: 6.0 miles and 700' net descent, skis

10 miles total skiing, with an incredible and long-lasting downhill run into downtown. Not a bad day. :D

Having fun does not count. :)

BEST. COMMUTE. HOME. EVER.

Yes, I do have a shower at work. Good thing, too. ;)

If having fun doesn't count, I'm out of here!
Great commute, WriConsult! My skiing required a car -- but I did carpool. With 4 of us in the car, I had to use a box on the roof instead of stuffing them inside, but we saved a lot over running 2 cars.

USERNAME: Bike123
TRIP: 2 ski trips, 140 & 280 mi.
DISTANCE: 420 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Subaru Outback
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 16 gal

USERNAME: Bike123
TRIP: Commutes, errands 1/1/09 thru 1/6
DISTANCE: 20 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bike1
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Saturn
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.6 gal

USERNAME: Bike123
TRIP: Pick up daughter from friend's
DISTANCE: 8 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bike3 (triplet)
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Accord
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.3 gal

Another day of carpooling.

Morning commute
USERNAME: Skwyre7
DISTANCE: 10.6 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Corolla
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical SG data): 0.24 gallons.
CALCULATED FUEL SAVED (based on new EPA number of 30 MPG combined, as per post #1): 0.35 gallons

Afternoon commute
USERNAME: Skwyre7
DISTANCE: 10.8 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Corolla
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical SG data): 0.24 gallons.
CALCULATED FUEL SAVED (based on new EPA number of 30 MPG combined, as per post #1): 0.36 gallons

Total for Today
USERNAME: Skwyre7
DISTANCE: 21.4 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Corolla
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical SG data): 0.48 gallons.
CALCULATED FUEL SAVED (based on new EPA number of 30 MPG combined, as per post #1): 0.71 gallons

Yesterday's commute (1/5/09)
Last month (12/22) I did a most unusual alternative commute. Sorry it's outside the 1/1-3/31 challenge period, but it was incredible enough to be worth reporting (especially for you snow-country people) anyway. Portland got its biggest snow in 40 years (13" in one storm, 19" total over a couple of weeks), and I used my skis to get to work. I've never skied to work before but have always wanted to. We get enough snow to do it about once every 5 years, so I seized the chance when I got it.
- Home to downtown rail station: 3 miles, skis
- Light rail from downtown to suburbia
- Suburban rail station to work: 0.25 miles, skis
- Trip to nearby store to grab lunch: 0.5 miles, skis
- Work to suburban rail station: 0.25 miles, skis
- Light rail from suburbia to Oregon Zoo rail station up in the west hills
- Ski most of the Zoobomb route (http://zoobomb.net/) into downtown and on to home: 6.0 miles and 700' net descent, skis

10 miles total skiing, with an incredible and long-lasting downhill run into downtown. Not a bad day. :D
Lol, best commute I've seen, especially the way home!

Here's my first few days back at school:
USERNAME: seftonm
DISTANCE: 5.2 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bike
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Jolf TDI
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.11 gal

Today's commute
USERNAME: dwrig4
DISTANCE: 15 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: bike
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Jetta WaGN BIKN
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.47 gal

USERNAME: rdprice64
DISTANCE: 0.8 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Walked
VEHICLE AVOIDED: FEH
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 0.04 gallons.

USERNAME: Lugnuts001
DISTANCE: 7.6mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: 2006 Yamaha XT225 (~72 AVG MPG)

I rode my bike to get lunch twice this week. The weather down here in Florida is great in the winter! I hope I can keep up with it. My New Year's resolution is to lose 15 pounds.

Today's commute (1/9/09)
USERNAME: dwrig4
DISTANCE: 15 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: bike
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Jetta WaGN BIKN
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.47 gal

Morning commute
USERNAME: Skwyre7
DISTANCE: 11.8 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Corolla
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical SG data): 0.29 gallons.
CALCULATED FUEL SAVED (based on new EPA number of 30 MPG combined, as per post #1): 0.39 gallons

Afternoon commute
USERNAME: Skwyre7
DISTANCE: 12.0 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Corolla
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical SG data): 0.29 gallons.
CALCULATED FUEL SAVED (based on new EPA number of 30 MPG combined, as per post #1): 0.40 gallons

Total for Today
USERNAME: Skwyre7
DISTANCE: 23.8 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Corolla
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical SG data): 0.58 gallons.
CALCULATED FUEL SAVED (based on new EPA number of 30 MPG combined, as per post #1): 0.79 gallons

Total for 3 bike commutes, 1/5-14.

USERNAME: Fuzzy
TRIP: Commute
DISTANCE: 102 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bike
VEHICLE AVOIDED: '86 Accord
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on fuel logs): 3.4 gal

-- Dean

Ok, so besides having veins of steel ;), how are you insulating yourselves during the ride? It is great that you can do this and I would like to be able to more often as well.

Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bike


Location: Portland, OR
TRANSPORT METHOD: bike


Location: Western Washington
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bike

Portland's weather is pretty mild, but possibly comparable to Louisville's: anywhere from upper 20s (in which case it's dry) to low 50s this time of year.


Top (under layer): wool or heavier synthetic long sleeve shirt. NO COTTON!
Top (outer layer): waterproof-breathable (Gore-Tex, H2no, eVent, Helly-tech, etc.) rain jacket. If it rains you will still get damp from sweat under your jacket, but taped seams are still a must to keep cold rain from drizzling in.
Bottom (under layer): ordinary bike shorts (lycra, not baggy). Again, NO COTTON!
Bottom (outer layer): nothing if it's dry and over about 45 degrees. Lightweight bike leg covers if it's wet and over 40 or so. Heavier bike leg covers OR running tights most of the time in winter.
Hands: Performance brand winter gloves bike gloves are cheap ($20-ish) and have been GREAT for me down to about 30 degrees if it's dry, or 40 degrees if it's wet. For colder temps if it's wet, Thinsulate mechanic's gloves (from Harbor Freight or Home Depot) are good for wet conditions in the 30s. $8 Neoprene fishing gloves are good for wet conditions upper 30s into the 40s. If it's substantially below freezing (below 28-30 F) I wear ski gloves.
Head (inner layer): If it's below about 35 degrees I wear a lightweight fleece skullcap under my helmet. If it's below 25 degrees (rare here) I will wear a lightweight fleece skimask over my head, or supplement the skullcap with a fleece neck gaiter (a scarf would also work) around my neck.
Head (outer layer): Helmet, of course. With a Princeton Tec Eos (1watt luxeon) headlamp strapped to it.
Feet (inner layer): Merino wool socks. Heavier ones if it's below freezing, otherwise standard "hiking" weight. NO COTTON!
Feet (outer layer): Neoprene booties (shoe covers) work OK and are mostly under $50 but typically last only one season. Older models were reasonably easy to work with, but the current rear-entry designs are a major PITA in my experience. For long term durability (and ease of use, and maximum comfort) waterproof bike boots are the way to go. I've found the Shimano ones ($160-180) to be completely waterproof and extremely durable, but they do have limited insulation and my feet will get cold on extended rides below freezing. I've found them to be warm enough for my commute. The Lake MXZ series boots ($200-ish) are a heavier-duty and insulated, although they require initial and annual application of waterproofing compound, and typically need repairs after about 3 seasons. I have a pair I use for mountain biking, when I expect to be out in the cold longer, and haven't had too many problems getting cold on half-day rides in dry/near-freezing or wet/40s conditions.
Eyewear: Uvex safety glasses if it's above about 30 degrees, ski goggles with clear lenses if it's colder.

Hope that helps!

This might be a silly question, but why no cotton?

This might be a silly question, but why no cotton?

Remember the hiking mantra -- cotton kills. For those unfamiliar, cotton absorbs far more than its own weight in water, loses most of its insulating ability when wet, and cannot be dried out with just body heat in conditions where there is any risk of hypothermia.

Other fabrics, especially synthetics, are far better.

Ah. Thank you for explaining. :)

Portland's weather is pretty mild, but possibly comparable to Louisville's: anywhere from upper 20s (in which case it's dry) to low 50s this time of year.


Top (under layer): wool or heavier synthetic long sleeve shirt. NO COTTON!
Top (outer layer): waterproof-breathable (Gore-Tex, H2no, eVent, Helly-tech, etc.) rain jacket. If it rains you will still get damp from sweat under your jacket, but taped seams are still a must to keep cold rain from drizzling in.
Bottom (under layer): ordinary bike shorts (lycra, not baggy). Again, NO COTTON!
Bottom (outer layer): nothing if it's dry and over about 45 degrees. Lightweight bike leg covers if it's wet and over 40 or so. Heavier bike leg covers OR running tights most of the time in winter.
Hands: Performance brand winter gloves bike gloves are cheap ($20-ish) and have been GREAT for me down to about 30 degrees if it's dry, or 40 degrees if it's wet. For colder temps if it's wet, Thinsulate mechanic's gloves (from Harbor Freight or Home Depot) are good for wet conditions in the 30s. $8 Neoprene fishing gloves are good for wet conditions upper 30s into the 40s. If it's substantially below freezing (below 28-30 F) I wear ski gloves.
Head (inner layer): If it's below about 35 degrees I wear a lightweight fleece skullcap under my helmet. If it's below 25 degrees (rare here) I will wear a lightweight fleece skimask over my head, or supplement the skullcap with a fleece neck gaiter (a scarf would also work) around my neck.
Head (outer layer): Helmet, of course. With a Princeton Tec Eos (1watt luxeon) headlamp strapped to it.
Feet (inner layer): Merino wool socks. Heavier ones if it's below freezing, otherwise standard "hiking" weight. NO COTTON!
Feet (outer layer): Neoprene booties (shoe covers) work OK and are mostly under $50 but typically last only one season. Older models were reasonably easy to work with, but the current rear-entry designs are a major PITA in my experience. For long term durability (and ease of use, and maximum comfort) waterproof bike boots are the way to go. I've found the Shimano ones ($160-180) to be completely waterproof and extremely durable, but they do have limited insulation and my feet will get cold on extended rides below freezing. I've found them to be warm enough for my commute. The Lake MXZ series boots ($200-ish) are a heavier-duty and insulated, although they require initial and annual application of waterproofing compound, and typically need repairs after about 3 seasons. I have a pair I use for mountain biking, when I expect to be out in the cold longer, and haven't had too many problems getting cold on half-day rides in dry/near-freezing or wet/40s conditions.
Eyewear: Uvex safety glasses if it's above about 30 degrees, ski goggles with clear lenses if it's colder.

Hope that helps!

Wow that is quite a list! I have the top and bottom layers already (thanks for confirming those for me). I can get out and ride with just those all the way down to about 40 degrees. The extremities are where I'm lacking, so thanks for the list.

I'll probably wait until after the weekend to give it a try though, because we are down in the single digits and teens until then :eek: I feel like I'm living in MN or WI this winter, although the folks up there are getting it much worse then we are.

Ok, so besides having veins of steel ;), how are you insulating yourselves during the ride? It is great that you can do this and I would like to be able to more often as well.
WriConsult sounds like he's the serious biker. I take the poor student approach:

Head: Helmet over toque,
Top: Jacket over hoodie over t-shirt
Bottom: Ski pants over jeans
Feet: Regular shoes and socks

It really helps that my ride is only a mile in each direction. It's been too cold (around -25F with -40 to -50 windchill) to bike the last few days. My bike isn't the best to begin with and it just gets too hard to pedal at those temperatures. So I did some walking instead.

USERNAME: seftonm
DISTANCE: 3.3 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bike
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Jolf TDI
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.07 gal

USERNAME: seftonm
DISTANCE: 6.5 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Walking
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Jolf TDI
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.14 gal

... It's been too cold (around -25F with -40 to -50 windchill) to bike the last few days.

So since it got all the way up to -29C today you rode the bike again? :eek: As I said Veins of Steel :D

Here is mine today:
USERNAME: rdprice64
DISTANCE: 0.8 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Walked
VEHICLE AVOIDED: FEH
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 0.04 gallons.

LOL today's heat wave at -29C wasn't enough to get me back on my bike. Looks promising tomorrow though, the high is forecast to be 3F.

For the coldest weather, -30C to -50C windchill values, two full layers is the minimum. Warmer than -30C and things get sweaty with too much clothing.

For the coldest biking:
Head:
wind-resistant balaclava, insulated helmet with ear covers
Top:
long-sleeved base-layer, wind and water resistant jacket
Hands:
thin gloves under wind and water resistant mitts
Bottom:
tights or base-layer pants under wind and water resistant outer pants
Feet:
medium or thick socks in snow boots OR runners with wind and water resistant booties


The coldest I've been through is -54C, the point where battery powered devices lose voltage before the trip is done, where grease and oil stiffen noticeably, where your eyes tear up and freeze shut at the first blink. It's now hard to justify avoiding anything warmer than -45C.

Yep, confirming fuzzy's comment cotton is known as the "death fabric" here in the Northwest where moisture management is a top concern and hypothermia is by far the #1 cause of death outdoors. Cotton is especially dangerous when it's in direct content with skin.

Ok, so besides having veins of steel ;), how are you insulating yourselves during the ride? It is great that you can do this and I would like to be able to more often as well.

My veins are not that strong, and I don't ride at temperatures below +25F. Winter around Seattle is slightly milder than Portland, and downright balmy compared to Manitoba and Colorado, so this limit doesn't prevent many rides.

I'm a fair weather rider, never starting a ride in rain, though some end in rain. Pedal commutes are planned around the forecast. The first winter of bike commutes, 6 years ago, I rode about 10% of work days, half that whole year's average. The rate has steadily increased and is 25% so far this cold season. Due to the distance, this rate will never get much above 50% in even the best weather.

Footwear is my limiting factor -- toe covers in the 40s, neoprene rain booties in the 30s, both in the upper 20s. Add a skull cap under the helmet, windproof ski mitt shells over full gloves, and a layered mixture of bike tights, cold weather hiking clothes and lightweight nordic ski clothes. This is not ideal, and sweat management is still a problem. I need to acquire a some better pieces to enable rides in bad weather.

-- Dean

Great thread that I see only now.

Instead of an alternative transportation, I use no transportation. In my case I'm trying to work from home. As you can see in my sig, a little third of my saved gas is saved this way.

Does this can be accepted in the challenge ?

During my last tank I avoided 240 miles, ie 6 commutes of 40 miles round trip. Half were in December (29, 30 & 31) and half in January (2, 7 & 8).

USERNAME: groar
DISTANCE: 120 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: None (work from home)
VEHICLE AVOIDED: megane
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on last tank average = 47.27 mpg): 2.54 gallons

Denis.

Totally up to you on this addition seftonm. But if you are accepting it, then count me in for last Monday:

USERNAME: rdprice64
DISTANCE: 28.8 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: None
VEHICLE AVOIDED: FEH
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 0.52 gallons.

Thanks all for the biking protection ideas, they are inspiring me to get back out there before the spring thaw.

Great Thread...

I to sometimes work form home and avoid the daily commute ( like groar above)
Does this count in Alt Transortation?

Jan 1 - Jan 16
USERNAME: Doofus McFancyPants
DISTANCE: 72 mi ( 1/6 - 1/7 - 1/12)
TRANSPORT METHOD: None (work from home)
VEHICLE AVOIDED: ALTIMA
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on tank average = 28 mpg): 2.57 gallons

Steve

Another bike commute, 1/16.

USERNAME: Fuzzy
TRIP: Commute
DISTANCE: 34 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bike
VEHICLE AVOIDED: '86 Accord
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 1.13 gal

My contract hours were cut in half today, something I had volunteered earlier as being acceptable, so commuting will be reduced. With major budget cuts a reality and rumors of mass layoffs still swirling, this is much more palatable. Of course, if they can't cut enough, the layoffs could still become reality.

I will make it count, Denis. The intention is to keep track of fuel saved by any means, and working from home certainly counts.

I've been keeping track of data since the beginning of the year. I'm including it in the requested format as well as table format in case that's easier for you to add to your spreadsheet, Mike. Putting the master table from the first post in a similar format would be better for archival purposes in case your .png file ever disappears. But, do whatever works best for you. I think the Alternative Transportation Challenge is a great idea.

USERNAME: fanamingo
DISTANCE: 61.3 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Civic
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 1.53 gallons.

DISTANCE: 178.9 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Public transit
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Civic
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 4.47 gallons.

User|Commute Method|In-car Distance Avoided (mi)|Fuel Saved (gal)
fanamingo|Carpool|61.3|1.53
|Public transit|178.9|4.47

Fuel saved is based on my six month average of ~40 mpg as of January 1.

Total for Today
USERNAME: Skwyre7
DISTANCE: 23.8 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Corolla
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical SG data): 0.58 gallons.
CALCULATED FUEL SAVED (based on new EPA number of 30 MPG combined, as per post #1): 0.79 gallons

Total for last week:
USERNAME: Lugnuts001
DISTANCE: 3.8mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: 2006 Yamaha XT225 (~72 AVG MPG)

I have to give lots of credit to you guys that bike in sub-zero weather. I don't even like biking when it's below 60!

seftonm: I've been working from home for almost 5 years now. I'm not sure that should count though since for me working from home is the norm.

Interesting thread, and I'd like to join in. So far I have 137 miles saved from driving my Prius, mostly by busing into work, but carpooling to social events and some walking as well, which equates to 2.37 gallons saved by my driving estimates and 2.98 gallons saved from the EPA estimates.

I usually walk to the rec center or to places to get lunch, but I'm not going to to count those since even if I do drive into work, I walk there anyway (and those trips are too much to track anyway).

Total for Today
USERNAME: Skwyre7
DISTANCE: 23.8 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Corolla
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical SG data): 0.58 gallons.
CALCULATED FUEL SAVED (based on new EPA number of 30 MPG combined, as per post #1): 0.79 gallons

Week of 1/19-23, one ride (out of three work days)

USERNAME: Fuzzy
TRIP: Commute
DISTANCE: 34 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: '86 Accord
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 1.13 gal

This ride was at +26F, one degree from my limit. Would have wimped out, but a crash bottled up the main automobile route and all alternates. Kept warm enough to now consider riding at +20F. Morning, first ever dumping of the bike on ice. Night, fog so thick I needed a pavement fog stripe, or fog lights on the bike. Still better than sitting in a many-mile freeway backup.

This ride was at +26F, one degree from my limit. Would have wimped out, but a crash bottled up the main automobile route and all alternates. Kept warm enough to now consider riding at +20F.

Ouch, how can you ride while some cars can't start ?
I have the excuse of a 40 miles commute ;) but even a 1 mile trip would be too long for me...

In fact now that I'm thinking about it, every noon I'm walking 400m from the office to eat. In my previous job I was parking at the farest parking lot to have to walk 10 minutes to join the office, so 40 minutes per day. Happily freezing temperatures are rare (a dozen per year) and in most case limited to the early morning.

Denis.

Total for Yesterday and Today
USERNAME: Skwyre7
DISTANCE: 65.6 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool/Not having to pick up son from baby sitter
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Corolla
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical SG data): 1.58 gallons.
CALCULATED FUEL SAVED (based on new EPA number of 30 MPG combined, as per post #1): 2.19 gallons

Ouch, how can you ride while some cars can't start ? ...

This is a fairly mild climate, and I have been shamed into riding by the other cyclists who ride in far colder conditions.

Cars can be made to start at nearly any temperature, if needed. In your climate, there is no need to prepare them for -20 or -40 conditions.

That's a very good idea fanamingo, I will probably convert the png to a table at the end of the challenge period. For now, using Excel and saving it as an image really simplifies the statistics keeping process.

A very nice week for biking this week, with only one day below 15F. I'm not trying to shame you into riding, fuzzy. After the last few weeks we've had, 15F seriously felt like spring was here.

USERNAME: seftonm
DISTANCE: 8.6 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Jolf TDI
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.18 gal

Username: Bomber991
DISTANCE: (11.5mi)x(6days)=69 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bus
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Subaru WRX
Average MPG: 25
Fuel saved: 2.76 gallons


My trip to school is so short, and now that I park outside and leave early in the morning, I barely hit 20 on the way there, and 30 on the way back, so 25mpg average.

I walk to the bus stop at 10:10 on MWF, and 7:10 on Tuesday, bus gets there at X:20, and arrives at the school at X:47, giving me enough time to arrive at my classes that start right on the hour.

I don't have a parking pass, but it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to drive to the school, and then another 5 minutes to get to the parking garage, and another 15 minutes to pay for that. They have one of those systems where you go to a machine and type in the number of the parking slot you're in. But they only have like 1 or 2 of those machines to serve like 20 people.

So it looks like at the slowest it takes 35 minutes driving vs 37 minutes taking the bus on the way there. Of course on the way home I get out of class at X:50 and don't get home till nearly an hour later cause the bus doesn't leave till X:12. Driving I'd be home in 20-25 minutes, bus riding I get home in 55. It takes around 5 minutes to walk to where the garage is, and it takes maybe 5 more minutes to get the car out of the campus, and another 10 to 15 minutes to get home.

Total for Today
USERNAME: Skwyre7
DISTANCE: 41.8 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool/Not having to pick up son from baby sitter
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Corolla
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical SG data): 1.03 gallons.
CALCULATED FUEL SAVED (based on new EPA number of 30 MPG combined, as per post #1): 1.39 gallons

I'm way behind on posting. Last Thurs, it was warm enough that I was comfortably riding bare handed at 10 pm! Today didn't make it out of single digits, with snow.

I normally ride with windpants and neon windbreaker over work clothes. Add a thin fleece jacket and neoprene toe covers below 20F, add a fleece vest, overbooties and windproof fleece helmet liner below 0F. Ear muffs at 32F. Gloves or split mitts. I don't worry about cotton for my 4 mile ride (displaces 3 car miles), but I would avoid it for a 10 mile ride. I'm never more than a mile from home, work, or stores where I could take shelter if necessary.

Regarding "I would have walked it anyway" -- If I only counted bike mileage that I wouldn't normally ride, I wouldn't have anything to report. I count anything > 1 mile round trip that "normal" people would drive, and normal people drive when it is far less than 1 mile round trip.

USERNAME Bike123
TRIP: Previously reported carpooling
EST FUEL SAVED: 1.6 gal less than I reported -- the ski box on top and additional weight knocked my mileage down nearly 10 mpg, barely EPA!

USERNAME: Bike123
TRIP: church, school meeting
DISTANCE: 18 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Subaru & Saturn
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.7 gal

USERNAME: Bike123
TRIP: Commutes, errands 1/7/09 thru 1/26
DISTANCE: 74 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bike1
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Saturn
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 2.8 gal

USERNAME: Bike123
TRIP: church & dinner
DISTANCE: 10 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bike3 (triplet)
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Accord
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.38 gal

USERNAME: Bike123
TRIP: errands
DISTANCE: 8 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: walk
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Saturn & Accord
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.3 gal

Total for January

USERNAME: Scandinavian Gigolo

DISTANCE: 270 Kilometers
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Honda Fit MT
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 18.63 litres

DISTANCE: 140 Kilometers
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bus
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Honda Fit MT
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 9.66 litres

DISTANCE: 10.5 Kilometers
TRANSPORT METHOD: Walk/Run
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Honda Fit MT
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.72 litres

1/28/09:

USERNAME: rdprice64
DISTANCE: 28.8 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: None, work from home
VEHICLE AVOIDED: FEH
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 0.52 gallons.

My totals for January: 463.5 miles avoided in the car for an estimated savings of 11.59 gallons of gas.

USERNAME: fanamingo
DISTANCE: 363.6 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: public transit
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Civic
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 9.09 gal

DISTANCE: 92.9 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Civic
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 2.32 gal

DISTANCE: 7.0 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: walk
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Civic
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.18 gal

Had some nice weather this weekend, but looks like it's going to get cold again tomorrow :( Totals for the week:

USERNAME: seftonm
DISTANCE: 12.4mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Jolf TDI
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: .26 gal

Total for Today
USERNAME: Skwyre7
DISTANCE: 23.8 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Corolla
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 0.58 gallons.
CALCULATED FUEL SAVED (based on new EPA number of 30 MPG combined, as per post #1): 0.79 gallons

Username: Bomber991
DISTANCE: (11.5mi)x(6days)=69 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bus
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Subaru WRX
Average MPG : 25
Fuel saved: 2.76 gallons

That's for the past 2 weeks. It should be 8 days instead of 6, but I missed a couple classes. You could say I telecommuted, since the prof for that particular class posts all of his lectures online anyway, but the truth is I just wanted to sleep in.

Also I gassed up on Jan 25th, and I only currently have 90 miles on my car. That's an average of 8 miles per day. At that rate, this tank will last me 37 and a half days :woot:

Total for Today
USERNAME: Skwyre7
DISTANCE: 23.8 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Corolla
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 0.58 gallons.
CALCULATED FUEL SAVED (based on new EPA number of 30 MPG combined, as per post #1): 0.79 gallons

Treacherous roads today meant I stayed home from school and studied. My totals for last week:

USERNAME: seftonm
DISTANCE: 10.5 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bike
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Jolf TDI
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 0.22 gallons.

Feb. 8

USERNAME: Fuzzy (and spouse)
TRIP: recreation
DISTANCE: 22 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bike
VEHICLE AVOIDED: '86 Accord
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.73 gal

Why drive to an organized bike ride, when the meeting point is within pedaling distance? I'm surprised no one else in this group pedaled to it. We pedaled 57 miles, though the 35 miles of the actual event is excluded from the total above.

At the mid-ride snack stop, we ran into other friends riding a similar loop. Fortunately, 3/4ths of them also pedaled from their homes.

Total for this week so far
USERNAME: Skwyre7
DISTANCE: 71.4 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Corolla
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 1.74 gallons.
CALCULATED FUEL SAVED (based on new EPA number of 30 MPG combined, as per post #1): 2.38 gallons

For the previous week:

Username: Bomber991
DISTANCE: (11.5mi)x(2days)=23 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bus
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Subaru WRX
Average MPG : 25
Fuel saved: 0.92 gallons

For this week:

Username: Bomber991
DISTANCE: (11.5mi)x(3days)=34.5 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bus
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Subaru WRX
Average MPG : 25
Fuel saved: 1.38 gallons

2/27/09:

USERNAME: rdprice64
DISTANCE: 28.8 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: None, work from home
VEHICLE AVOIDED: FEH
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 0.52 gallons.

Total for February

USERNAME: Scandinavian Gigolo

DISTANCE: 282 Kilometers
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Honda Fit MT
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 19.60 litres

DISTANCE: 100 Kilometers
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bus
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Honda Fit MT
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 6.95 litres

DISTANCE: 7 Kilometers
TRANSPORT METHOD: Walk/Run
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Honda Fit MT
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.49 litres

For my current tank, I worked nor from office, nor from home, but from alternate office. I saved 2*10 miles per day, 4 times per week, ie 260 miles (and 13 hours of private life :cool: ).

USERNAME: groar
DISTANCE: 260 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: None (work from alternate office)
VEHICLE AVOIDED: megane
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on last tank average = 53.69 mpg): 4.84 gallons

For the past week

Username: Bomber991
DISTANCE: (11.5mi)x(1days)=11.5 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bus
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Subaru WRX
Average MPG : 25
Fuel saved: 0.46 gallons

February wasn't quite as good as January. I had to drive more. :( March looks like it will be the best yet. My totals for February: 385.8 miles avoided in the car for an estimated savings of 9.65 gallons of gas. Totals since January 1 are included below.

USERNAME: fanamingo
DISTANCE: 694.1 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: public transit
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Civic
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 17.35 gal

DISTANCE: 141.7 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Civic
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 3.54 gal

DISTANCE: 13.5 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: walk
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Civic
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.34 gal

Same with me, fanamingo. Much more driving in February than January. March is coming in 4 minutes for me and hopefully it will bring some nicer weather with it. My totals for the last three weeks:

USERNAME: seftonm
DISTANCE: 16mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Jolf TDI
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: .34 gal

For this week:

Username: Bomber991
DISTANCE: (11.5mi)x(3days)=34.5 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bus
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Subaru WRX
Average MPG : 25
Fuel saved: 1.38 gallons
Cost: $3.75

I'm all out of free passes now, so I gotta pay $1.25 each day :(. Thats 10.86 cents per mile.

Also I got spring break next week so there will probably be no bus riding then.

Got back on the bike today!

USERNAME: rdprice64
DISTANCE: 4.2 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: FEH
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 0.16 gallons.

- Rob

Two over the weekend

USERNAME: rdprice64
DISTANCE: 2.1 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: FEH
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 0.08 gallons.

USERNAME: rdprice64
DISTANCE: 4.2 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: FEH
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 0.16 gallons.

- Rob

Justin, I only wish I could pay $1.25 for a day on the bus. Bus fare on Winnipeg Transit is about $1.75 USD, and transfers are only good for I think 90 minutes. The only way for me to get close to $1.25 per day would be to get a university student bus pass and ride more than 20 days a month.

The weather is getting nicer but biking isn't. My garage door is freezing shut so I've left the bike outside the last few days. As a result, it's developed some bad sounding squeaks and the brakes aren't working as well as they used to. Only a few more weeks and we'll start to get some long awaited melting...

My totals for last week:
USERNAME: seftonm
DISTANCE: 10.1 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Jolf TDI
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 0.21 gallons.

... I've left the bike outside the last few days. As a result, it's developed some bad sounding squeaks and the brakes aren't working as well as they used to.

Mike, It sounds like you need some type of bike cover! It might help the squeaking and keep it dry and maybe a little warmer.

I am lucky here to be able to get bus fare for $1.25 as long as I buy a pack of 10 tickets. I can get a monthly pass for $42, but haven't found a month when it would be less expensive yet, because I would need to ride more often than I do.

Thanks again for hosting this. I has gotten me back on the bike much sooner than in past years.

Stay warm!

-Rob

Good to hear you're back on your bike, Rob. Keeping track of the miles ridden and fuel saved has encouraged me to ride a bit more as well.

I'm definitely going to have to look into some sort of cover or maybe building a small shelter. The garage hasn't given me any trouble in the past 3 winters, but an unusual amount of rain a few weeks ago let some water get in, where it froze and started to cause problems.

Mike, We are lucky to have South facing windows for our garage, so I make certain to open the window covers each morning and get a bit of solar heat into ours. It seems to help.

Plus I use that window for this really cool solar flashlight (http://www.greenfeet.com/itemmatrix.asp?kw=BOGO-SunNight-Solar-Task-Light&groupcode=7601-00137&eq=&matrixtype=1) that I charge there. It is a bit pricey, but when you buy one, then donate one to a needy woman in Africa. So you really buy two, but its for a good cause and they have plenty of sunlight to power it over there. Alright, enough of my over-excitement about that.

Back to business.
Yesterday's errands:
USERNAME: rdprice64
DISTANCE: 3.1 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: FEH
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 0.12 gallons.

This morning's ride to the gym:
USERNAME: rdprice64
DISTANCE: 4.2 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: FEH
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 0.16 gallons.
__________________
- Rob

Had some nice weather on the weekend, so I took the bike out on a few rides that I would have previously done in the car.

My totals for last week:
USERNAME: seftonm
DISTANCE: 16.4 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Jolf TDI
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.35 gallons.

I had my spring break from the 9th to the 13th so no bus riding those days. From the 16th to the 20th:

Username: Bomber991
DISTANCE: (11.5mi)x(4days)=46 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bus
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Subaru WRX
Average MPG : 25
Fuel saved: 1.84 gallons
Cost: $5

Last week's totals:

USERNAME: rdprice64
DISTANCE: 16.8 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: FEH
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 0.64 gallons.
_

Last week:

USERNAME: rdprice64
DISTANCE: 12.6 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: FEH
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 0.48 gallons.

Today:

USERNAME: rdprice64
DISTANCE: 25.2 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bus
VEHICLE AVOIDED: FEH
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): 0.71 gallons.

I'll have to go through my records and add up everything for a total gallons saved. I'll get to it in a while...

Final post for this challenge. Here are for the last 2 tanks, so

USERNAME: groar
DISTANCE: 120 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: None (work from home)
VEHICLE AVOIDED: megane
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on tank average = 55.04 mpg): 2.18 gallons

USERNAME: groar
DISTANCE: 240 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: None (work from home)
VEHICLE AVOIDED: megane
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on tank average = 56.77 mpg): 4.23 gallons

As I'm improving my mpg, in absolute values I'm not contributing a lot to the group. In relative values miles not driven correspond to 31% of diesel saving for my family :)

Denis.

Total for this challenge
USERNAME: Skwyre7
DISTANCE: 703.6 miles
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool/Wife picking up son from baby sitter
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Corolla
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED (based on historical Sg data): ~9 gallons.
CALCULATED FUEL SAVED (based on new EPA number of 30 MPG combined, as per post #1): 23.45 gallons <-- That's about two tanks of gas!

:woot:

I think we were supposed to post regularly to encourage others to keep at it. I sure didn't do that, but here are my TOTALS for the quarter, by mode:

USERNAME: Bike123
TRIP: mainly ski trips, a few snowy days to church or meetings
DISTANCE: 466 (carpooled another 280 mi trip, but the other guy would have skied 50% closer to home both times, so only counting 1 of those trips)
TRANSPORT METHOD: Carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Subaru & Saturn
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 15 gal

USERNAME: Bike123
TRIP: commute and errands
DISTANCE: 531 miles (379 single bike, 93 tandem/triplet, 8 Run, 18 rollerski, 18 rollerblade, 15 walk)
TRANSPORT METHOD: Human Powered
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Saturn & Accord
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 17 gal

Total for March

USERNAME: Scandinavian Gigolo

DISTANCE: 381 Kilometers
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Honda Fit MT
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 26.48 litres

DISTANCE: 140 Kilometers
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bus
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Honda Fit MT
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 9.73 litres

Here's my totals for the past week and a bit:

USERNAME: seftonm
DISTANCE: 14.4mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Bicycle
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Jolf TDI
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.3 gal

USERNAME: seftonm
DISTANCE: 4.1mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: Walking
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Jolf TDI
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 0.09 gal

I'll get the table updated with the final results soon. It's looking like we got over 4000 miles avoided and over 100 gallons that were not burned. Way to go everyone! I'll also try to get a new thread for the next 3 months started in the next couple days.

March was the best month yet for me. Almost 600 miles avoided in the car for an estimated savings of 15 gallons. I just checked the table in the initial post for the first time in a while. My numbers are incorrect. Replace them with the updated ones below.

Totals since January 1: 1447 miles avoided in the car for an estimated fuel savings of over 36 gallons. At 19.4 lbs of CO2 per gallon, that's just over 700 lbs of CO2 that didn't go into the atmosphere. :) Right now, I take alternative transportation almost as much as I drive. I'll keep working on it.

USERNAME: fanamingo
DISTANCE: 1214.2 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: transit
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Civic
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 30.36 gal

USERNAME: fanamingo
DISTANCE: 216.5 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: carpool
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Civic
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: 5.41 gal

USERNAME: fanamingo
DISTANCE: 16.3 mi
TRANSPORT METHOD: walking
VEHICLE AVOIDED: Civic
ESTIMATED FUEL SAVED: .41 gal

Here are my results over the past 3 months, I just aggregated them by transportation method and put them in nice tabular form.

Method|Distance (miles)|Fuel Saved (gallons)
Carpool**|538.9|9.45 / 10.46 / 9.80 / 11.72
Bus|119.6|2.10 / 2.32 / 2.17 / 2.60
Walk/Bike|5.7|0.10 / 0.11 / 0.10 / 0.12
Total|664.2|11.65 / 12.9 / 12.08 / 14.44

* This is for my Prius, The 4 estimates in "Fuel Saved" come from the LMPG (57.0 MPG), the MPG over the past 3 months (51.5 MPG), old EPA (55 MPG), and new EPA (46 MPG).

** This includes 312 miles round trip to Chicago to see the Prius III unveiled on Feb. 10. It's a bit frivolous to count that, but it was carpool mileage.

Note also that I was in California for a week and a half, and while I carpooled for 300 miles, and took 200 miles of public transportation (saving 23.8 gallons of fuel), I think it's hard to justify counting that. But, in case you're keeping track, it could be of value.

I have updated the table and came up with the totals shown below. Over 6000 miles travelled by means other than solo in-car, and over 163 gallons saved! Way to go everyone, and thanks for making the effort and leaving your car at home. Special thanks and congratulations go out to fanamingo who racked up the most miles with 1447. Scandinavian Gigolo also deserves recognition not only for biking more than anyone else, but also doing it in Winnipeg's notoriously harsh winter.

Totals: January 1 - March 31, 2009
Username|Commute Method|Distance (mi)|Fuel Saved (gal)
Bike123|Carpool|466.0|15.10
Bike123|Human Power|531.0|17.00
Bomber991|Bus|287.5|11.50
Doofus McFancyPants|Worked from home|72.0|2.57
dwrig4|Bike|30.0|0.94
fanamingo|Public Transit|1214.2|30.36
fanamingo|Carpool|216.5|5.41
fanamingo|Walking|16.3|0.41
Fuzzy|Bike|158.0|5.26
groar|Worked from home|740.0|13.79
Lugnuts001|Bike|7.6|0.11
pdk|Carpool|538.9|10.46
pdk|Bus|119.6|2.32
pdk|Bike|5.7|0.11
rdprice64|Bike|51.4|1.96
rdprice64|Bus|25.2|0.71
rdprice64|Walking|2.8|0.13
rdprice64|Worked from home|86.4|1.56
Scandinavian Gigolo|Bike|583.1|17.10
Scandinavian Gigolo|Bus|237.5|6.96
Scandinavian Gigolo|Foot|10.9|0.32
seftonm|Bike|72.3|1.54
seftonm|Walking|10.6|0.23
Skwyre7|Carpool|703.6|17.16
wriconsult|Bike, Rail|24.0|0.67
Totals||6211.2|163.67


I just finished starting a new alternative transport thread for the next three months.

GREAT JOB everyone! A fine example exhibited by all!

Congratulations to all, noticeably to those who prevented me to be on the podium by the distance or by the fuel saved ;)

The conclusion for me is that miles not driven correspond to 30% of my total saving, which means 45% more saving comparing to my ecodriving only. So the rule "do not take your car" is the single one who permitted me to save the most.

Staying at home made me saved even more energy. During one week I stayed at home most of the time, I kept the shutters opened everyday, the sun heated the house all day long and so we heat less : 21.57 kWh/day instead of the 26.23 kWh/day for Mars average, while the average consumption just before heating was 20.42 kWh/day, ie 1.15kWh/day instead of 5.81 kWh/day, so 80% saving for heating during this week.
See this post on EcoRenovator forum (http://ecorenovator.org/forum/) for a pretty graph : Winter is gone, but summer isn't here yet (http://ecorenovator.org/forum/solar-power/38-groars-solar-panels-thread-3.html#post2538).

Denis.

Excellent idea getting this started seftonm. It helped put things in perspective for me. I'm avoiding a fillup every month by not driving. I'm going to sit the next challenge out though. I'll continue taking other transportation means whenever available. I just won't record it on a daily basis. Good luck to all!

Excellent idea getting this started seftonm.
I wholeheartedly agree! Thanks for putting this together softonm :woot:

I'm going to sit the next challenge out though.
But you are the reigning champion. We need you to continue to be an inspiration for us all to do even better.
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The challenge was great for me, because I got back on my bike much sooner than normal. I'm probably too old to bike as much as Scandinavian Gigolo does in the cold, but every extra bike trip helps (my health and saving petrol)

Looking forward to starting the next challenge!
- Rob

Sorry to hear you'll be sitting it out fanamingo, but thanks for giving the rest of us a chance ;) Not that I will be anywhere near the leaders. My goal for the next three months is at least 100 miles on bike and to take public transport on occasion.