The oil spill in the gulf; what can be said about it? It’s a horrible disaster; 11 men lost their lives and the environmental damage is catastrophic.

This terrible disaster should be a reminder that our dependency on oil and other fossil fuels has dire consequences. I’d like to ask those reading this blog to think about their daily consumption patterns. Could I have walked or road my bike to the store? Does my air conditioner need to run nonstop from the first day of spring? Can I buy more local produce or vacation closer to home?

If you’ve already put steps in place to reduce your consumption, stick with it. If you haven’t, now is an excellent time to start. E-bikes are a great way to change our patterns but they are only a part of the big picture. As we watch and hope for a resolution to the crisis in the Gulf of Mexico; remember the oil flowing into the gulf was destined for the cars, trucks and planes that move this nation. Remember that your decisions do make a difference. Using less oil means less drilling means less potential for disasters like we are seeing in the Gulf.