In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, power was out to a large area for an extended period of time. This has a side-effect that many people did not expect: gasoline became unavailable or difficult to obtain. The gas stations all need electrical power to operate the gas pumps. No power means no way to get the fuel out of the underground tanks. And after the storm, two of the regions oil refineries were shut down due to the power outage.
What would happen if a worse disaster knocks out the power for a longer time, and over a wider area? You would need to conserve fuel and only use your car when absolutely necessary, until gas is available again. What are your alternatives in the meantime? Public transportation options might be knocked out by the same disaster. I suppose you could walk if you live close to town (as I do). But another good option is the bicycle.
Even if town is close enough for a walk, to and from, the effort and time expended can be greatly reduced with pedal power. A simply bicycle is something every Prepper should have in the garage or basement. As transportation options go, when there is no power or gasoline, bicycles offer many advantages: no gasoline or electricity needed; simple to repair and maintain; inexpensive to buy
Wikipedia has a nice overview of all the different types of bikes. My top criteria, though, are * inexpensive and * practical. I’m not looking for speed or aerodynamic efficiency. However, I would like a rack on the back so that, if I go to town for a few groceries or supplies, I have a way to carry them on the bike. Price range for this type of practical “crusing” (as it’s called) bike is under $300 with some models under $200. Of course, you can always buy used for even less. Or check your garage for an old-clunker that might be gathering dust and rust, and see if it can be fixed up economically.
Another option is the electric bicycle. Now if the power is out, you would have a tough time recharging the bike. You would need a solar or wind option, and that gets complicated and expensive fast. But an electric bike is not a bad option for times when there is power, but you want additional options for transportation.
In the present situation, most electric bicycles are over-priced. I’m not even going to suggest that you consider a model that’s over a thousand dollars. But just for fun, take a look at this very-high-end Audi electric bike:
But getting back to the practical, the prices of low-end ebikes are coming down and the features are improving. The Ezip Traiz bike is currently under $500. (Still too much in my opinion.) Here’s a review of that model. It’s still pricy, but it shows that manufacturers are starting to reach for the lower end of that market.
- Thoreau
