Last year, the pain threshold seemed to be right around $ 3.00.
Per gallon of gasoline, that is.
That's when I started to see a noticeable increase in the number of people riding bikes or using other forms of what counts as 'alternative' transportation in North America.
Including people of the 'normal' looking or 'mainstream' variety, not just the usual suspects.
This year, the pain threshold seems to be , somewhat surprisingly, lower.
In this area, gas prices are currently hovering around $ 2.60/gal. and I'm noticing an increase in cyclists, inline skaters, skateboarders and, lo and will-you-look-at-that, even walkers.
And, once again, not all of them are fitness fanatics, Lance Armstrong wanna-bes, Hippies (genuine leftovers or would-like-to-have-been new recruits), underprivileged kids and the borderline homeless (= 'The Usual Suspects"😉.
Now, if they would only learn how to park their bikes in front of the few stores that actually have bike racks.......