Are you troubled by your morning commute?

High and rising gas prices mean high-cost commutes for suburban and rural commuters. Health and cost-conscious commuters need transportation options, like cycling. “The Cycling Commute Gets Chic” (Wall Street Journal, 5/11/2006).

Let's look at the numbers.

Most analysts see crude oil prices in the $50s and $60s for some time, but prices of $100 per barrel -- or 10 times what it sold for in the summer of 2005 -- could also be on the horizon.

* More than 70% of Americans feel that rising gas prices are very important or somewhat important in deciding where to live. * When listing factors involved in choosing a home, 40% look for a short commute, second only to a safe neighborhood.

Gas prices are important, but most commuters feel powerless to do anything about them.

So, what's the cost of a car commute?

*  Assuming a five days/week job, $3 gas, 26 mpg and 50 cents a mile for maintenance, a 50-mile roundtrip commute costs $646.15 a month, or $7,753.80 a year *  Even a short 10-mile, roundtrip commute still costs $1,550.76 yearly. *  If you're driving to work in a city, you're also probably paying for parking, which, at $5/day, totals about $1,250/year.

Car. Truck. SUV. Whatever is in your driveway, and whatever the gas mileage, right now,

it's costing you a fortune!

Leave your vehicle at home. Get out of your car and onto your bike!

Take a stand (or a seat) and save several thousands of dollars each year (and get in shape along the way).

Be your own renewable energy. $0/gallon, just add water. ClevelandBikes.org