I cannot even begin to tell you how many cyclists I see on the roadways during rush hour. Some of these people are even so bold as to wear their business suits while they ride, which certainly adds to the entertainment factor.
Whatever you do to save gasoline, the greater good comes in the form of reduced emissions and an overall improvement in the air quality that we breathe in. As another aside to those of you who have chosen alternate forms of transportation other than your personal vehicle, keep in mind that the more people who carpool, the better off we are as a society because this, in turn, leads to roadways that aren't nearly as crowded as well as less traffic accidents as a result of possible overcrowding. There is a lot of good to be had from conserving gasoline!
Perhaps one of the first places that we you can start- especially for those of you who absolutely need to have a personal vehicle- is to consider the type of vehicle that you will be purchasing. While many people swear by the brand new hybrid vehicles that are out on the market, keep in mind that you will more than likely be paying a higher price up front. Additionally, many reviews of the newer hybrid vehicles have resulted in average or below average ratings for the amount of money you save on gasoline. One of the common misconceptions that people make about hybrid cars is that because it has the name tag 'hybrid' attached to it, it automatically means that you will be saving a ton of money at the gas pump. In fact, what it really means is that you will be one of a select few who has chosen a vehicle that does not give off quite as many harmful emissions as other non-hybrid vehicles. If you are really concerned about gasoline expenses, however, then looking towards a gently used car may be your best option.
Used cars, while they may lack some of the appeal of owning a brand new vehicle, still have quite a bit of appeal. This is especially true if you purchase a used car off of someone who has kept it in pristine condition or if you have chosen to purchase a certified used vehicle from a reputable automobile dealership. Either way, make sure that you do your research ahead of time to see which vehicles make the list of being among those that will keep money in your bank account- especially when it comes time to fill up at the gas pump.
Gasoline is a major expense for all drivers nowadays no matter what socioeconomic status you fall into. Another way to save gasoline is to slow down the driving. Adjust your driving so that you aren't constantly surging in traffic. Avoid racing from one stop light to the next and allow enough reaction time between you and the vehicle in front of you (approximately one to two car lengths). Making small changes like these will make a huge difference in your budget.