How Big is your Bicycle?
Posted by Phil Hart on December 4, 2007 - 5:00pm in TOD: Australia/New Zealand
Topic: Demand/Consumption
Tags: bicycle, transportation [list all tags]
I think electric bicycles have a great future.
Take a typical push-bike and modify it with an electric motor and a small battery pack and you have a vehicle which could get millions of people through their daily commute for an order of magnitude (or two) less than they currently need.
Suddenly you have a vehicle that's pretty frugal in the use of resources required to manufacture it, doesn't require any particular level of fitness and is ready to plug into the electricity grid. I can also imagine manufacturer's addding little 'bubble' cages around them soon, to provide weather protection so that the list of reasons not to 'cycle to work' reduces even further.
However, thinking about this future raises some other concerns. While total freight traffic must decline, it's likely that big trucks will still be common because of their efficiency per unit transported. Buses are also going to be a big part of our public transport future. But these trucks and buses will be sharing the roadspace with an increasing number of small and ultra-small vehicles. We could see a bi-modal size distribution of vehicles develop on our roads, which has hefty implications for road safety and infrastructure planning.
Another result of this is that line between 'cars' and 'bikes' will become increasingly fuzzy. Consider the 'vehicles' in the picture below, all of which are powered by human muscle (calories) or batteries, except the Harley Davidson motorbike and the Smart Car (which could easily be converted).
Now try to answer the following questions:
- Which of these vehicle types do you think we should have more of?
- Which ones should be allowed on main roads?
- Which ones could use an on-road bicycle lane amongst traffic?
- Which ones could use an off-road bicycle path in your local park?
- Which ones should get free entry into congestion charging zones?
- Which ones require dedicated parking spaces?
- Which ones would you feel safe in?
- Which ones should you be able to carry on a train?
- Which ones should be taxed, and which ones subsidised?
- Which ones should 'bicycle' advocacy groups support?
Can you agree on the answers to those questions? What would your local transport planner say?
http://politics.reddit.com/info/6252l/comments/
thanks for your support.
I just bought an electric bike. I love it. http://ecolo-cycle.com/Mundial_en_new.htm
I think the segway would be difficult to drag home if the battery died. As for the electric car I think the weight would make it inefficient and we need to get away from the car concept. It would also be hard to push home if the battery died. I believe a rail system directly connected to a power grid would make the most sense for mass transit.
I've been riding electric bikes for a few years now. I have 1700 miles on one and 700 miles on another. About 6 months ago, i switched jobs from one where I had a company car to another where i didn't. I decided to not buy a second car. This would not be possible without without my electric bikes.
I built both using a kit and a standard bike frame. I can go 20 miles at less than 20 mph or 12 miles at top speed. I'm planing on building one that can go 20 miles at 30 miles per hour. This would be pretty much the best you can do with an electric bike.
I love my electric bikes but it isn't THE answer. Nothing is really. It will be like our energy problems where a mix of energies (oil, coal, nuclear, wind and solar) will all be needed and used. The bike is great for trips less than 6 miles. In larger cities, it's faster to get around on bike than by car. My office is 5 miles away and if i drove instead of biked, i would only save only 5 minutes. The issue is that you're exposed to the elements and you generally can't ride with passangers or large cargo.
In my opinion, the best mix of vehicles will be a hybrid, a small electric car (range of 40 or 50 miles will be good enough) and an electric bike.
The most efficient way of transporting people is with subways like they have in Japan. People living in tokyo don't need vehicles to get around-- just their own two feet. Problem is, you won't be able to find very many americans wanting to live like they do in tokyo. There's way too many people.
Just like there is road service for fossil fuel vehicles, there can be road service including recharges for electric ones.
How about a battery-swap service so that one would not need to wait for recharging?
Who's going to force all the car manufacturers to have swappable batteries (makes crash safety a real headache!), much less standardize on one or a few sizes, connectors, etc?
And then who's going to set up the network of battery-swapping stations when the vehicle fleet to pay for them doesn't exist? (It's the same problem as the "Hydrogen Highway".)
There's a reason why the near future belongs to the PHEV; it doesn't demand anything new except the vehicle itself.
* Which of these vehicle types do you think we should have more of?
Well, you left off regular bicycles, inline skates, and skateboards. I think we should have more of the non-motorized vehicles, and more of the small motorized vehicles so long as they replace larger motorized vehicles. I expect we'll get there.
* Which ones should be allowed on main roads?
All of them.
* Which ones could use an on-road bicycle lane amongst traffic?
The ones without motors. Frankly, I think we should just call bike lanes HPV (Human powered vehicle) lanes.
* Which ones could use an off-road bicycle path in your local park?
The ones without motors.
* Which ones should get free entry into congestion charging zones?
The ones without motors.
* Which ones require dedicated parking spaces?
Why would any of them require dedicated parking spaces?
* Which ones would you feel safe in?
I usually bike or in-line skate to work, so I'd say all of them.
* Which ones should you be able to carry on a train?
The ones that are small enough to fit safely.
* Which ones should be taxed, and which ones subsidised?
None of them should be taxed and none of them should be subsidized. We should charge fuel taxes to deal with Peak Oil and GHG pollution and leave the taxes and subsidies at that.
However, I do think we should get our insurance rates and laws to reflect the potential damage a vehicle can do to others. Then, in almost all cases, anyone who hits a pedestrian is at fault both legally and financially. Operators of larger vehicles who hit operators of smaller vehicles should be proportionally by size and fault responsible for the crash. The idea that all vehicles are equal in terms of responsibility is bunk.
* Which ones should 'bicycle' advocacy groups support?
Bicycling advocacy groups should support the rights of HPV bicyclists first, other HPV operators, then maybe electric bike operators. Basically, the ones in similar discrimination positions.
There was a children's tricycle in there. That's the only one that made me stop and think. On a side-street or a cul-de-sac, perhaps, but I wouldn't think that would be appropriate on a main road.
I also would be pretty unhappy if I couldn't ride my electrically-assisted bicycle (has a "motor" but one must pedal it) in bike lanes or paths. It is quiet, the size and shape of a regular bicycle, and the assist fades out as it approaches a speed of about 17 mph, so it does not endanger or inconvenience other users of such lanes/paths. As a matter of fact, using it, I cannot keep up with really strong people who are riding un-assisted bikes. But for those of us who are not very strong, the electric assist makes bicycle-commuting far more feasible, especially when the commute is long and hilly (relative to the person's strength - in my case the commute is 9 hilly miles each way).
I would make a distinction between an electric assist and an assist with a little gas motor. I wouldn't want to be stuck behind one of those stinky things on a bike trail. An electric bike I wouldn't mind very much (I would only start to mind if the trails started to get crowded :-).
OK, but then where do you draw the line? What about an adult tricycle? How about an adult tricycle operated by an elderly lady who doesn't go much faster than a kid on a tricycle? Do you mean that kids shouldn't be allowed to operate on main roads? What if the kid is biking with parents? Triking along with mom pushing a stroller in a bike lane with no sidewalk? What if this main road is 20 years post-peak and has almost no car traffic?
There's a trike club in my area. Yep, trikes. They call them, proudly, trikes. And they are usually Harley-based, 3-wheeled motorcycles. Apparently they're meeting at the local McDonald's because I saw like 4 of the things parked there, should have stopped in and said Hi.
Stuff all that legal stuff vis-avis liability. I hear that in India drivers who hit pedestrians get lynched.
I must say that when riding my regular non-electric bicycle, and am on city streets (typically <= 35mph) that there are times that I "take the lane". If I am going down a street and need to make a left-hand turn, then I need to be in the left-hand turn lane. Trying to make the turn from elsewhere is problematic at best.
When I ride my bicycle to the office, my parking space is next to my desk. Bicycles are hard to secure - someone could steal the headlights for example. Even the best locks that are out there can easily be defeated with the cheap battery powered angle grinders that are on the market these days. While none of this is likely to happen at our office, nobody seems to bother me about bringing it up in the elevator, so that's where I park it.
Ericy - the little Cateye light that clips on and off, is great. Not a TON of light but enough to see on a dark street, perfect the bunny-hop for those sudden surprises! And, since you unclip the light and take it in with you, when the lights go off in your building and everyone's freaking, you get to be the hero and lead groups of people out because you have a light.
Nice if you get to keep your bike in your office though - get a nice Merckx and a Park stand and call it "modern art"
Some people like helmet mounted lights for that reason. I ended up going with a Cygolite Dualcross which is mounted on the frame, and then upgraded the LED emitters to get more light. I am probably at ~450 lumens right now, and on a dark trail it really does an excellent job of lighting things up.
The head of the light does unclip fairly easily though. If I wanted to remove it, it would only take a few seconds. But my point is that it would be a nuisance to have to remove everything from the bike that isn't bolted down. Not only the light, but the battery, the frame pump. Perhaps the cycling computer (really the size of a wristwatch). The taillight also easily unclips, so that would need to come off too. So in the end it is just easier to bring it into the building where I don't have to worry about it.
If we could just get the divide and conquer clowns calling themselves our ‘leaders’ to recognize a bicycle and its appendages as just as much of a vehicle as a car for theft punishment purposes, lots more people would be using bikes for short hop errands and commuting. Here in San Francisco, by far the biggest reason many take their car instead of their bike is out of control bike and accessory theft.
Collapsing all Mickey Mouse laws regarding what penalty one should get for stealing what vehicle into one fixed punishment for ‘theft of mode of transportation’ would promote bike use much better than all manners of bike lanes, critical mass rides, euro envious wannabe communist subsidies and whatnot. There really is no defensible reason why stealing a poor guys bike (or skateboard, for that matter) should not be punished just as harshly as stealing a rich guys jet. Except the Jet owners ability to obtain media coverage and donate to political campaigns, of course.
I occasionally ride a bike with a 500W electric hub motor. With my assistance it will run about 20-25MPH. This is comfortable on residential roads, provided there are not many stops (stops waste power).
On the major arteries that are necessary to actually go anywhere this is too slow, interaction with traffic flow can be terrifying, and it exposes one to high levels of exhaust, not a good thing while exercising.
On the recreational bicycle/walking/rollerskating paths, which are 8 feet wide, this is much too fast. There are many twists and turns and old people walking dogs. While the path is scenic and enjoyable, it is dangerous for commuting at speed. It is necessary to frequently limit speeds to 10MPH or slower to avoid hazards.
I think it is clear that what is needed is a separate communting system with design principles similar to limited-access highways (with overpasses, lanes, access ramps and limited grades), but away from exhaust-spewing engines. This would allow movement of light, low-powered vehicles over intermediate distances at relatively high speed, without the danger of encountering pedestrians or other slower moving traffic.
Regarding the questions from the article:
* Which of these vehicle types do you think we should have more of?
I think it is obvious that the lowest powered device that will do the job should be used. Preferably automobiles and trucks should be excluded from all pedestrian-accessible areas, with pay-to-park lots attached to roads near populated areas.
Think Disney World, where you drive on the highway to get there, then park and walk/ride or use the public transit system.
* Which ones should be allowed on main roads?
Road systems should be re-engineered to class traffic by use and size. Large arteries would be used for heavy, high-speed motor vehicle traffic, smaller roads would be converted to light vehicle and foot traffic, with segregation for relatively high-speed commuters.
* Which ones could use an on-road bicycle lane amongst traffic?
Only those that are not human powered (again, exercising in exhaust is very bad for one's health).
* Which ones could use an off-road bicycle path in your local park?
Depends on what other infrastructure is available and how the bicycle path is set up. In general, anything that is no wider than the lanes of the path, does not produce exhaust while on the path and does not exceed the safe speed for the path.
* Which ones should get free entry into congestion charging zones?
Depends on the zone. Any vehicle in sufficient quantity can cause congestion.
* Which ones require dedicated parking spaces?
All of them, though not necessarily in the same locations. Vehicles that are not given parking consideration are marginalized.
* Which ones would you feel safe in?
Depends on infrastructure.
* Which ones should you be able to carry on a train?
Depends on the train.
* Which ones should be taxed, and which ones subsidised?
Taxes and subsidies should be used to balance traffic between mediums as necessary to encourage efficient movement of people and infrastructure creation.
* Which ones should 'bicycle' advocacy groups support?
Bicycles, one would presume. Whether they class hybrid human-electrics or pure electrics as bicycles would depend on the group and their particular goals.
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I think it is clear that what is needed is a separate communting system with design principles similar to limited-access highways (with overpasses, lanes, access ramps and limited grades), but away from exhaust-spewing engines. This would allow movement of light, low-powered vehicles over intermediate distances at relatively high speed, without the danger of encountering pedestrians or other slower moving traffic.
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No no no! How are you going to fit all this into a city? It will never get properly built, and all you will achieve is an excuse for the planners, lobby groups and law-makers to ban bicycles from the roads!
Improve the existing roads for multi-mode use. Lower speed limits. Improve legal support for cyclists. But more importantly (and more difficult), change attitudes and behaviours to support sharing the roads.
Exhaust is not as big a problem as you think. A study found that air quality is worse INSIDE the car than for a cyclist.
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No no no! How are you going to fit all this into a city? It will never get properly built, and all you will achieve is an excuse for the planners, lobby groups and law-makers to ban bicycles from the roads!
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It won't fit now because we cram roads for cars in everywhere. I'm proposing eliminating motor vehicle access to many roads in favor of HPV access.
No, we can't do it now because most people just don't get depletion. They think that we can go on with using private motor vehicles for each citizen.
My opinion is that this will not work in the future. It will be too expensive. The space will become available.
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Exhaust is not as big a problem as you think. A study found that air quality is worse INSIDE the car than for a cyclist.
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I ride on the roads, I breath the exhaust. I don't need studies to tell me that deep, heavy breathing while sitting in a cloud of exhaust from the cars waiting with me at a stoplight are doing me more harm than the shallow, sedentary breaths I would be taking if I were breathing the same air while sitting in a car.
However, if you would like studies that say that, they are available.
Anecdotally, I can tell the difference between when I ride or drive to work just from the taste of exhaust in my mouth that is left after a ride (on the roads, the bike paths are better).
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It won't fit now because we cram roads for cars in everywhere. I'm proposing eliminating motor vehicle access to many roads in favor of HPV access.
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Ah ok, that makes sense. But if the number of private cars on the roads has dropped heavily post-peak, there may be no need to ban them from some roads. Why not just lower the speed limit?
I've ridden on roads crammed with bicycles, some motor scooters and very few cars. This was Hanoi in 1996. As in most Asian cities, the road rules operated a bit differently to developed Western countries. More like a school of fish - you always give way to the person in front. The policing system was different too. The cop on the corner had a stick, and if you ran a red light, he hit you with it on the way past! This may also be feasible with manpower surplus post-peak...
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I ride on the roads, I breath the exhaust. I don't need studies to tell me that deep, heavy breathing while sitting in a cloud of exhaust from the cars waiting with me at a stoplight are doing me more harm than the shallow, sedentary breaths I would be taking if I were breathing the same air while sitting in a car.
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Wow, where do you ride? Are there lots of 2-stroke motors around or something? Here in Melbourne my commute is along roads filled with cars, often going at the same speed as them. Many stop lights and stop-go traffic. No symptoms whatever!
I was just thinking of the same thing a few days ago. I totally agree! I ride to work most days in London at a fast clip, dodging cars, taxis, and busses, over speed bumps, religiously stopping at the many lights, often taking the lane to avoid getting cut off at corners by trucks/lorries, and jumping off the line fast enough that I beat the taxis to the next speed bump :-} However, I know that many people are not strong enough to do this.
Despite the attempt to provide cycle lanes in London, I often avoid them because (1) they often don't have 'stop ahead' bays so you are in the path of a left-turning car and have to cross traffic to turn right, (2) pedestrians often cross the bike lanes without looking, (3) a two-way bike lane on one side of the street suddenly turns into a one-way, (4) I am further out of the sight of cars which is fine in the bike lane but very dangerous when it ends, (5) they often flood, (6) it is dangerous to pass, and (7) cars and esp. delivery trucks routinely park in the bike lane, completely blocking it.
In looking at London traffic and imagining how 10x or 100x or 1000x as many bicycles could be accomodated, two things become apparent. First, all cyclists would have to respect the lights. Second, the overall speed would probably go down even more. Third, it would be even more dangerous (though perhaps not as deadly) for pedestrians.
To make communting from longer distances with a battery powered bicycle more efficient, I think we could use a smallish number of limited access, higher speed, bikes-only freeways. Batteries are improving and a 30 mph commuting bike is already a reality. Being able to maintain 25-30 mph across a substantial stretch of the city would make bicycle commuting from intermediate distances of 8-15 miles much more practical and enjoyable. It would take practice -- like the practice people need to be able to safely drive on a car freeway. And finally, people who wanted to hammer along unassisted would be happy, too.
These are great ideas. I wonder though, my Chevy Metro, 1000 cc, was discontinued in 2001, due to small size and not enough power, and it is not yet back. Most people will have trouble descending and stooping to a 1000 cc or 800 cc car, let alone a bicycle of some sort. Many people will keep that gigantic gas hog pick-up or SUV or 4X4 "off the road" windshield cowboy vehicle at 10-20 MPG til hell freezes over and we all die.
Small cars are well established over here (UK). We have a Matiz, which is a 900cc engine, and it comes with aircon, power steering, CD etc. Granted it is a bit tight with 3 in the back seat but it takes 4 adults ok. I was overtaken by one a few weeks back as I did 80mph on the M5.
Longboards are skateboards with larger wheels that are ideal for getting places or commuting. They use much less material than a bicycle and they're easier to carry. Check out this video to see longboards in action. Here in Vancouver you can see guys in business suits riding longboards to work.
Your comment about a future "bi-modal size distribution of vehicles" caused me to realize that if this polarization of vehicle sizes does occur in the future that it will be because of a strong need to increase vehicle energy efficiency.
So the solution will be MUCH LOWER SPEED LIMITS because the light passenger vehicles will not be capable of higher speeds AND the big cargo trucks that are somewhat efficient because of the large loads they can haul will be even more efficient when they drive much slower. Maybe 40mph will be the future speed limit?
As for bikes, I have a Xtracycle cargo bike. It is great! It will haul 4 bags of groceries, or a passenger, or even long garden tools when I go do a demo for my tool business.
Greg in MO
Hi,
3 wheeled enclosed bicycles AKA velomobiles are already here! Here is a website by a Minnesotan devoted to enclosed bicycles. And for those of you who are unfamilar with Minnesotan winters, they can be very very cold.
http://www.velomobiling.com
The author of this website has pictures of over 10 velomobiles displayed and a tutorial on building an Alleweder. The speed record for a velomobile is about 80 mph so the fairing not only makes the vehicle comfortable in inclemental weather but FASTER.
Some of the velomobiles have electric assists. Here is one going 45 mph.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WgMIVIJlyc
Right now the cost of a good velomobile is in the thousands but then again, so is a good racing bike. There is no reason that they shouldn't be available for around $500 if the economies of scale were invested in.
Charles
I know someone who has a Velomobile, since she can't drive. She rides/drives it around in Santa Clara, California traffic which is pretty hectic. She has the assist on it, and can go pretty quick. She also has flags on it, reflectors, as she puts it, "lt looks like the circus has come to town" lol.
People on recumbent bikes really need a flag, and when I used a bike trailer I always had my "dork flag" on there because otherwise the trailer's not visible to a lot of drivers, if one of 'em cuts in behind me turning or something, crunch.
"She has the assist on it, and can go pretty quick. She also has flags on it, reflectors, as she puts it, "lt looks like the circus has come to town" lol."
It all depends on how she does it. She needs to go mod and ride with Jimmy, Monkey, Steff, Chalky, Ferdie, Spider, Dave and the Ace Face.
http://www.movingimageposters.com/images/quadrophenia_97_quad.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ48X9EQxck
There is no reason why the velomobiles couldn't be Mod cool instead of Techno geeky.
Charles
Agreed! On my present bike I look like a Harley wannabee, but the windshield and saddlebags came with it, and they're functional. Yet the jacket I wear is a "ricky racer" -ish jacket a sportbike rider is more likely to wear - if they're on a budget and can't afford one with garish colors that is lol. I wear "pro rodeo" Wrangler jeans, because they're good for bike riding. And Doc Martens, low-quarter with white socks, so what the hell AM I trying to be? LOL.
Truly, I think the Mod scene is cool. And for some real coolness, check out something called the 'Moped Army' on YouTube, there's a song there called "drop a kit on it" or something close to that, hilarious stuff.
Yo!
"throw a kit on it"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_kIUSr7-is
"If the headlight goes out, just jiggle the cord...."
I can't watch more than 90 seconds before I have to turn it off.
I'm more of a scooterist and sadly, neither I nor my Zundapp made it into this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20E6oyl_GZQ
Are you concerned about making a fashion statement or do you want to get from point A to point B, preferably in one piece?
"Are you concerned about making a fashion statement or do you want to get from point A to point B, preferably in one piece?"
Funny you should mention that because the mod scene was all about being seen. The extra front and rear lights, multiple turn signals, racy paint jobs, flags on whip aerials, and multiple mirrors enhanced the visibility of the rider. A mod scoot is going to be seen better than an all black streetfighter-crotch rocket and probably going to get you from point A to point B preferably in one piece.
In style to boot!
"Fashion. We are the goon squad and we're coming to town. Beep beep!"
David Bowie - Fashion.
But seriously, design and fashion are so important. A safety device is only good if people use it. There is no real reason why safe equipment can't look nice. That's just a matter of effort, the ability of the designer and the standard of quality. Turn signals on cars are a great example. Compare the ugly but functional turnsignals on the back of a car from the 1970's and 1980's with the same structures today or in the 1950's. The turn signals of today have as much visibility and "surface" area as those in a Chrysler K car from 1985 but look much better. Why make people look like dorks and discourage them from taking the proper precautions?
When I ride my scoot, I use a Shoei full face helmet. I wouldn't ride without it. It's comfortable, DOT & SNELL approved, it also looks great. I cringe when I go to Wisconsin and see all the RYDERS without any helmet. It makes me squirm.
So, think safety and FASHION!
Keep the shiny side up!
Charles
'Why make people look like dorks and discourage them from taking the proper precautions?'
If you are riding around on a motorscooter, with or without a helmet, you already look like a dork...Without any urging from me.
'design and fashion are so important'
design is important, fashion is not...And, it will be less important as time passes and FF becomes more scarce.
'the mod scene is all about being seen'
Well, you are about 45 years from the 'mod scene' and it was a Brit affair. I did not see any mods at the Ace Cafe in London on my visits there...And, if you were'nt at the Ace, you were no where.
SontagC,
Right on!
The MN Velomobilers are friends and sometimes clients of mine in my "Sustainable Household Helper" eco-business!
They have a page on "rethinking transportation that just rocks!
http://www.velomobiling.com/transportation?PHPSESSID=cb1deb54f00d140d5c8...
They have a photo of me with one of my Organic Engines SUVs just past midway down the page by the "When You Can't Do It By Bike" section.
But first note the "Transportation Matrix" images uptop -- much like those that Phil Hart noted in his own superb essay here on TOD.
Wonderful people, wonderful neighborhoods, wonderful possibilities are there for us if we apprehend and choose them.
I'm looking at an electric vehicle because my body tires of hauling 200-400 pounds of tools every day. I'm looking at the Zap Xebra and the E-ride machines.
Doctor Hart is on the right track, here. One of the best posts I've seen on TOD -- and I've seen a number of superb essays posted to TOD!
Rock on!
thanks Beggar and everyone else for all the enthusiastic comments. good to know the work is appreciated :-)
cheers
phil
In a future where petroleum supplies are declining while populations are still growing, burning gas or diesel for personal transportation will rapidly become an indulgence that only the very rich can support. However that middle class will not go quietly to the back of the bus. Mass transit will definately grow substantially in a post peak world however people will also still want options for peronal mobility.
I beleive velomobiles with electric assist will become the best option for a large swath of the middle class. The more alternative type vehicles start clogging up the roads, the sooner people will learn to co-exist with them. In cities with the highest use of bicycles, the rates of cycling fatalities are the lowest.
The future of personal transportation will include any and all human powered options that are available and affordable to a significant percentage of the population when they are forced by economics or rationing to park their ICE vehicle forever.
I've written a bit on the future of personal transportation (Velomobility) and IMHO velomobiles and electric vehicles will eventually converge into a single market. What that will look like is anyone's guess.
Electric bikes seem a bit overrated to me.
They have a range of only about 20 miles, and that's at the limit of battery power. Rechargeable batteries generally shouldn't be depleted beyond 50% on a regular basis, so you're really talking about 10 miles. Still, maybe that's fine for the majority of electric bike uses. A network of trains is much more effective, however.
The Smart car is also overrated. It's only a little smaller than a typical European hatchback, except the hatchback seats four and has luggage space while the Smart car does not. The price is about the same. It's a little easier to park, but that's not much advantage. I'd rather have a 75mpg 4-door Audi A2.
As for the "daily commute," trains beat all comers for distances over 3 miles.