MOST of us can’t afford hybrids. They sound good and all, but they’re not a killer reality for many families who one, have a strict budget, and two, need more space than the most affordable hybrids allow.

Instead…

Make your own ride as efficient as possible. If you drive a serious gas guzzler but you drive less than other folks you’re still gonna come out ahead. Make a goal to drive less, combine trips, and bus it or bike or (gasp) even walk more.
Empty out the trunk. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that simply removing excess weight from your car can …read more

I was looking for something totally unrelated, when I stumbled upon this very cool site, Bike Hacks.
They have cool recycled bike ideas, cool ideas to DIY bling your ride, and a cool logo to boot.

You know you want to click that logo.
At Bike Hacks you’ll find…
A shower seat made from an old bike
DIY Hard Saddle Bag Hack
Bicycle Made from Plastic Bottles
How to ugly your bike
Canoe Bike Trailers
And sooooooo much more. If you’re a bike enthusiast, you have to visit Bike Hacks. Plus half the team hails from the Pacific Northwest, which in my opinion always makes a blog worth at …read more

I just got a heads up about a cool new club for earth-loving kids. The Clean Air Club, is an interactive website that helps to teach kids about the importance of protecting their environment. The club (and website) are appropriate for kiddos 14 and under.
The club was started by Cook-Illinois Corporation, the nation’s largest independently owned and operated school bus company. Recently, Cook-Illinois Corporation made some eco-changes to their company; they switched most of their fleet of 1,700 schools buses to bio-diesel fuel. This switch reduces around 1000 tons of toxic emissions in Chicago.
About the club – perks for kids: …read more

For about eight years I was in a two car family, with only one car.  To me, a two car family means you have varied schedules and places to be, thus requiring a second car. However, even in extreme cases, it’s possible to share one car in a two car household. In my case we lived in two areas with very poor public transportation, so that wasn’t even an option. In one of those areas, we lived out in the middle of nowhere, in a town of about 250-300 people. There was nothing in town but houses and one post …read more

When it comes to taking the bike instead of the car, is lack of storage space holding you back?
If the Chariot Trike featured yesterday isn’t quite what you have in mind, take a look at the Sport Utility Bicycle (SUB). xtracycle allows you to convert the bike you have or purchase a complete SUB that fits your needs.

SUBs can be used for transporting just about anything — kids, pets, groceries and recycling. Get more details and see all the looks at xtracycle.

Images via flickr carfreedays and flickr cafemama.
Click here to learn about all the current contests, …read more

Did you know that trikes exist for adults?
The Worksman Family Single Chariot Mover Trike is designed for one passenger — a child or adult.
Worksman Cycles also offers a dual chariot for more than one passenger, as well as any other type of bike you might want! Even an antique high wheel replica.
And they’re all made in the US since 1898. No wonder they know how to make the high wheel bikes…
Image via Worksman Cycles.
Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in September 2008

Lord Petro is all around. Watch the video to learn more.

Did you learn anything new from Lord Petro?
Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in June 2008

Think you know everything about using less gas? Try out these resources below.
Conserve or Move… the fight against change by Hilary at eco friendly driver.
Consumer Reports tells you what they learned in Fuel economy: Save money on gas.
And here’s a video with a some great tips. For instance, I never thought about keeping the tank between half full and empty. The lower weight means better mileage. Of course, you might have to fill up for longer trips…

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in …read more

Oh, sigh. I shouldn’t let politics get me down, but I was so disappointed today to hear that John McCain now supports offshore drilling in protected areas. A big booger, that one. (Read more at the Washington Post: Bush Calls for Offshore Oil Drilling and CNN: McCain wants to lift ban on offshore drilling.)
The whole thing makes me want to not own a car anymore. I did happen to fill up my Civic today, and I paid $41 for the cheap stuff.
But does that mean I want to go out and mess up ecosystems on US shores in hopes that …read more

When our apartment lease is up in a few months, we’re considering moving closer to where my husband works. That will not only save him time, but will save us hundreds of dollars a month — that’s the cost of owning a second automobile, including gas. We’re figuring the higher cost of living near where he works will be cancelled out by the savings of no commute.
Imagine living close enough to walk or bike to work. For many, the higher cost of gas is stimulating that reality. And if there’s anything good about the high gas prices, it’s that it’s …read more