NORMAN — As a single mother of three, Lynette Lobban of Norman sometimes feels sick to her stomach when she fills up her 2002 Toyota Sienna minivan.
Featured Video
Advertisement
"It's a great vehicle with kids, but the last time I filled up my 17-gallon tank, it cost $60. That's about $1 for every five miles,” she said.
Lobban's commute from her home to the University of Oklahoma Foundation where she works is five miles roundtrip, which she says isn't bad, "but by riding my bike I can save $60, or an entire tank full of gas each month.”
Lobban's daughter, Sarah, 17, was thrilled a year ago when she got her driver's license and a used Oldsmobile Alero to drive around Norman. Nowadays, the Alero sits in the driveway.
"Part of the reason is the price of gas, but the other reason is Sarah is concerned about the environment. She's decided she doesn't want to add to global warming so she rides her bike or walks whenever she can,” Lynette Lobban said.
Sarah Lobban rode her bike to school almost every day last year. It's a habit she is passing on to her sister. As a senior this fall, Sarah plans to bike, and Hannah, who will be a freshman, plans to join her.
To further save on gasoline, Lynette Lobban said she frequently enlists Sarah and Hannah to bike to the grocery store or drugstore when the family only needs a few items.
Staff Writer Jane Glenn Cannon
Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.
Leave a comment.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).
I stand corrected...I thought they were talking about the same person. I have been attending classes at O.U. too long. My humble apologies! I fell right into that one.
Hey SEAN!!!! Look at the caption under the video "96 miles round trip, five days a week," and LISTEN to the video. Purcell to OKC is 5 miles? I wanna see that map!!! Also, the article states she works at the University of Oklahoma Foundation, but in the video she says she works at State Fair Park. Your apology is accepted.
And .... it is 5 miles round trip. That's even better. I could ride my bicycle to work if it was 2.5 miles away. I've considered riding my bicycle to work 11 miles away once or twice a week. I figure I'd lose a little weight, improve my health, save some money, and reduce carbon emissions. As for telecommuting ... I think my employer has been against it because they are fearful of the unions throwing a big fit when the people that are considered slackers aren't allowed to participate in the program. So instead of allowing the people who do their job well and would not abuse this privilege to telecommute, they just don't allow anyone to do it in order to avoid the hassle. Once again, the slackers and their protective unions ruin it for the rest of us. Can you tell I'm against our union? Let me just say before you post rebuttals .... I'm not against all unions. I'm against unions that protect slackers.
Can someone please tell me why more Oklahoma employers are not interested in letting their employees telecommute 1 or 2 days a week? It works great for me, I work harder for my employer because I know they are considering the constraints of my budget.
Does she, Lynette, ride her bike to work every day? How long does that take? We are taking 50 miles one way...I could understand 5, 10, maybe 15 miles one way, but 50? Unless she is a "racer" on a hybrid bike, she might average 10-15 mph on a cool, calm day. You do the math. This is a bit hard to believe. But, if it's true, good for her.
•Trip planners: Cut it back 06/22/2008 NORMAN — Darrell Glenn of Norman checked into selling his 2003 Toyota Sequoia, hoping he could turn around and buy a smaller car with better gas mileage....
•Growing family: Budgeting 06/22/2008 CHICKASHA — With two commuters in their household, Matt and Tosha Halsted have cut out the "extras” to afford gas to get to and from their jobs. "We used...
•Highway patrol: Fuel conservation 06/22/2008 Like the residents and motorists it is obligated to serve and protect, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol also is concerned about rising gasoline prices, a patrol...
•City worker: Riding a bus 06/22/2008 Ken Spaulding used to carpool to work every morning from Norman to downtown Oklahoma City. When his carpool partner retired about a month ago, Spaulding was...
•Volunteers: Hard to retain 06/22/2008 Volunteers who take local senior citizens to meal sites, pharmacies, doctors' offices and supermarkets are going to be more difficult to recruit and retain...
•Hypermiler: Money saver 06/22/2008 MIDWEST CITY — Doug Wilson can pay for gas. It frustrates him that he has to pay so much. So he makes every mile count. "It's one of those things, how...
•Carpoolers: city officials 06/22/2008 Some of the highest-paid public officials in Oklahoma County government aren't immune from the pinch at the pump, so they've started carpooling. District 3...
costs commuting How we're coping with rising fuel... 06/22/2008 Marlene "Marc” Pankow couldn't get $25 worth of gas in the tank of her gray Mercury Sable when she bought it a few years back. "It wouldn't hold that...
6
Featured Video
Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.