My family has been challenged to go a whole month on one tank of gasoline. We used to live in Rome and went two years without a car. No doubt this has influenced our choices since we moved back to the U.S., but it will still be a challenge. We live in Austin, Texas - Check out my blog to see how we meet the daily challenge: http://my.lifeinitaly.com/blog.php?b=207

Here's the television news story that ran on Monday, July 7, 2008:
http://www.keyetv.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=19566@keye.dayport.com

I welcome your comments, suggestions.

Martha

In Italy I share a Nissan Micra 1.5 liter Diesel -
It seems that with a tank it goes on forever ... and ever ....
I will try to calculate the mileage next time I go to Italy.
Another solution to improve gas miliage is to try motorcycles: My BMW does about 50mph like most motorcycles - Plus a motorcycle needs a much smaller parking space

When my son and his wife visited her parents in Poland this past Spring, he was interested to see that the little car her parents use can be fueled by either diesel or propane. Her father just switches back and forth depending on driving conditions.
Another thing is that apparently sales of motorbikes in the U.S. has skyrocketed. Dealers can't keep up with the demand. People are finally waking up it seems.

Hi *** Diesel is good but now with the low sulpher mandate in the US it is more than the super 92 octane /For instance , a volkswagon jetta diesel gets 45 mpg*****but diesel in the US is at a premium price compared to 87 octane so that needs to be concidered/ I ride a motorcycle allot (HD superglide) gets around 38 to 40 mpg on 92 octane ( super unleaded ) not to bad but I have to replace the rear tire at 8000 miles at around $175 to $190 us dollars****Palo knows about motorcycle tires, so I think Bikes are not what everyone thinks as far as economy*** So I just ride and I do not care about fuel costs , enjoy your life *****

Yes Frederick is right. I did not give the whole picture. I just spent $1200 for a tune up and changing the tire on my BMW GS. Plus you have to consider motorcycle clothing : BMW pants and jackets costs more than Armani's....

The response to our challenge to live on one tank a gas for a month has been incredible. Friends, family, neighbors, colleagues are so enthusiastic! They love that we are trying to do this. If you missed the story, here's the link and I'm blogging our progress here every day or so.
http://www.keyetv.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=19566@keye.dayport.com

What changes are you making to tackle high gas prices and/or impact the environment in positive ways?

My neighbor is riding her bike to run errands, her two little girls in tow in a trailing wagon.

I'm trying to go a whole month on one tank - that's me and my husband, and we have a toddler. I'm blogging about it here:

http://my.lifeinitaly.com/blog.php?b=215

Are you making big and little changes to save gasoline? What are you doing differently? Is it saving you money? Helping you lose weight? Tell, tell!

Drove a motorcycle for years. I ride a bicicleta around
the neighborhood come Don Matteo.

The problem with motorcycles is what do you do quando piove?!
Use to ride to work in the winter on a motorcycle. That wind
freddo in your face e horrible! A motorcycle is at best a
second mode of transportation. Sono divertente ma molto pericolosi.
Ma what can you do con il prezzo alto di benzina.

Well Villa - If you go to Rome you will see people riding scooters all year around - No matter if it rains or not - They have protective gear for rain and cold ( In Rome does not get that cold anyway ) - There is also a big traffic issue in Rome when it rains - The traffic stops moving so unless you do have a scooter you will get nowhere - I personally ride my BMW when in Rome rains or shine - It is not the same in little towns however where there is little traffic and makes no sense riding a motorcycle under the rain.

I am seeing more and more people in my town on scooters and motorcycles. I am also seeing more and more accidents. This is most likely happening in part because of lack of driving experience on these vehicles, particularly the scooters. Scooters are often slower than the flow of traffic and there are no dedicated traffic lanes for them. Some of the drivers, young ones especially, are a bit reckless. It is a sign of the times that we see them though. It is too hot for me personally to be riding anything other than my car. I have a Rav4 which gets pretty good mileage and I work only 3 miles from home. I don't have to buy much gas luckily. I do definitely consolidate trips as much as possible.

My husband is a cyclist and is seeing more bicycles on the road here in Austin. One of his co-workers rides the bus part of the way to work, then bikes the rest of the way. In Rome, cyclists told me it was easier to get around with a bike than with a car. Traffic and parking, not to mention pollution are big problems in cities so the more bikes the better.
Martha

The month is up and here's the final result of our One Month, One Tank Challenge.

http://my.lifeinitaly.com/blog.php?b=227

Congratulations on your achievement Martha!
Over the last 2 weeks of my holiday I have probably driven about 10 miles. Unfortunately that doesn't make up the 40-50 miles a day I do when I'm at work.
Sardinia is some way behind the rest of the world in promoting/providing alternative methods of transport, but slowly some cycle lanes are appearing. Fingers crossed!