Austinites Choosing Alternatives

Austin man sick of high gas prices, rides bicycle to work

10:40 PM CDT on Tuesday, June 17, 2008

By SHELTON GREEN
KVUE News

Had enough of the ever-climbing gas prices? Well one Austin man is now taking matters into his own hands.

Last week, Nelson Chafetz, an IBM employee put away his car keys and picked up his bicycle which he now rides 14-miles to work, and 14-miles home.

Chafetz says he's killing two birds with one stone by taking care of his health and his wallet.

"I can afford the 4-dollars per gallon, but if 2 or 3 million people across the country did this once or twice a week, I think demand would go down, supply would go up and that would effect the gas prices" says Chafetz.

The support planner for IBM packs his bike with water, his laptop, and a change of clothing because he showers once he gets to work.

Chafetz takes the back roads to and from Cedar Park on his commute.

He says he plans to keep riding as long as gas prices stay on their present course and he's hoping his example will encourage others to follow his lead.

"Take action. Do something, instead of riding a stationary bike at the gym or a treadmill at the gym get out and walk to work if it's close enough or get on a bicycle and start riding to work.

"I feel good about what I'm doing, I feel like I'm making a difference" he says.