Bicycle Option for milage logs?

Elixer · #1 08-28-2008, 02:33 PM

I recently moved to a house that's about 4 miles from my university. However, the land is flat and I've figured out that I can bike the distance in about the same amount of time it takes to drive. This is because the route is flat which makes for easy cycling, there are many stop lights which slow down driving, and I can bike straight to my building where my classes are held. If I drive I have to park in a lot that's 5-10minutes walk from my building. So I'm going to be biking every day to class for the next year.

The problem is that I feel very much that doing so, I should be credited in some way. So my suggestion is to setup a bicycle(walking/running/skateboarding/skating/skiing/whatever) option in the mileage log. In the log you could show the total distance done cycling, and then link it to your car's current mpg and then show the total gallons saved by doing a quick calculation. It would be like a side log, but you could add the amount saved to the total gallons saved at the top of the page. This wouldn't effect the main milage logs, the only thing it would do is add to the total gallons saved. You could add a disclaimer that the miles have to be "replacement" miles. IE my 5 mile for fun runs wouldn't count. I would love to see total distance biked: __ gallons saved from biking __ at the bottom of my post.

I want to say that it's harder to track miles on a bike as they don't have odometers obviously unless you buy a special one. I would just calculate my distance using my car and then add that distance every time I bike it. Either that or I would use Google map or google earth to calculate my distance biked.

What do you guys think?

seftonm · #2 08-30-2008, 01:44 PM

I think this may have been discussed before, but I like the idea. Much of my commuting in the summer is on bike and I'd be interested to see how much of an effect it has.

abcdpeterson · #3 08-30-2008, 04:34 PM

I know how you feel.
If I ride my bike I am saving gas, but not showing any improvement in my mileage.

I have to say.
I like this sites being focused almost exclusively on getting the best Fe when driving.
It might be too much to ask cleanmpg.com to expand the scope of it’s logs to include
bicycle and walking…

I think I will try just adding something to my signature. hmmm..

What do you think?

Right Lane Cruiser · #4 08-30-2008, 07:38 PM

I can understand the draw but incorporation this type of info into the DB and related calculations/display is significantly more complicated than it may appear at first.

I have heard this request a few times and I do want to state that I have seriously considered it -- getting it implemented is a major undertaking, however.

Philip Muller · #5 09-23-2008, 05:17 PM

Could we get a poll or numbers on how many of us are bicycling to and from work or to replace other related driving. I figure I could save about 2800 miles per year in gas/car use doing that. Would be nice to figure it in somehow.

abcdpeterson · #6 09-23-2008, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philip Muller

Could we get a poll or numbers on how many of us are bicycling to and from work or to replace other related driving. I figure I could save about 2800 miles per year in gas/car use doing that. Would be nice to figure it in somehow.

how about this
http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16090