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Gas prices got you scared?
07/05/2022by Katerina I., Intern
Have you filled up your car’s tank recently and gasped at the price? With gas prices soaring at the pump, the fossil fuel industry is really putting a price on summer fun. In Hawaii, as of late June 2022, regular gas is averaging $5.72/gallon and diesel is a whopping $6.17/gallon! As costs continue to creep up, now is the time to consider switching up your commute routine.
Estimated costs associated with owning a car in Honolulu:
According to a 2021 study by Ulupono Initiative, the cost of owning a vehicle in Hawaii is $8,100 annually, or $675 per month. However, Ulupono used census data compiled by the accounting firm Deloitte – which shows 80% of Hawaii households own two or more cars and thus face a $16,200 annual expense, or about $1,350 a month for transportation. These transportation costs include gas, maintenance and insurance.
Alternatively, Biki's Commuter Plan offers unlimited 30 minute Biki rides for $15 per month, and the Voyager Plan will get you unlimited 60 minute Biki rides for $25 per month. By switching from your car to a Biki Commuter Plan, you could theoretically slash your transportation bill by 98%!
And we haven't even touched on the societal costs of driving. Air, water and noise pollution, costs to repair and build roads and hire enforcement, traffic collisions and fatalities... the list goes on. And all tax payers front the bill. Ulupono's report reveals that Hawaii's vehicle transportation system comes with an annual price tag totally $21.8 billion dollars. Only $10.6 billion is borne by consumers in the form of vehicle ownership costs, while $11.2 billion is borne in the form of state and county expenditures.
Here at Biki, we aren't anti-car and recognize that there is often a time and place to utilize modes of transport other than bikeshare, including personal vehicles. However, it's also worth considering how much your household could save by reducing the number of cars in your home, or replacing some of your car trips with Biki rides. Many Biki members seem to have caught on to this realization, with 11% reporting they reduced the number of vehicles in their household (up from 8% in 2018), and 49% reporting they drive less often since joining Biki.
Making the change
As people go back to working in-person, it’s time to reduce the number of drivers on the road. You don't necessarily have to make a full switch from being a driver to a bicyclist, but you can try to utilize multiple modes of transportation to reduce your costs. For example, if you sell your car but still want to get across the island, you can opt for a bus pass ($80/month) and a biki membership ($15/Month). You can take Uber/Lyft when necessary, opt for Hui carshare or Turo for longer day trips, or figure out a carpool arrangement with friends or coworkers.
The more options our residents have to get around, the less likely we'll need to depend on owning personal vehicles. Our community is being more multi-modal and this reduces inequalities, increases connectivity and makes our island a better place to live. We're happy that Biki can be a part of it!
Guest Blogger: Katerina Im is a rising Senior at Punahou School. She is very passionate about environmental issues and is especially interested in climate change and plastic pollution. Learn more about her non-profit, Plastics 4 A Purpose.
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