With BART and AC Transit fares increasing without cessation, and the economic and moral reasons to eschew daily metropolitan driving, the ultimate costs of riding a bike are extremely low, day to day.

One would think that makes pedal-power the most efficient way to get around town, but is cycling the be-all-end-all to solve the transportation crisis?

With greater population density inherently comes a raise in prices for goods and services — based on simple supply and demand.

If supply stays the same and demand increases, laws of economics dictate that prices must rise as well — prices of manufacturing, metal, gasoline and the availability of places to put them will all
rise. It is therefore in humanity’s long-term interest to seek out alternative methods of transportation, and each have their pros and cons.

Bikes have a high initial cost but end up paying for themselves in money saved on BART tickets.

They feature large rubber tires that can plow over the roughest of pavement and gears that ensure your legs are never working overtime.

Skateboards are a great way to get around town as well, though most people find them cumbersome to ride the longer mileage that wouldn’t faze even the most novice cyclist.

The trade off, of course, is with a skateboard you never need to lock your vehicle, it has a much less initial investment and has far fewer moving parts.

Both have their associated learning curves and fanatic subcultures elevating a simple method of transportation to mythic heights.

Bikes seem most practical for anyone commuting more than a few miles, though the rider is now encumbered with the weight of multiple locks and chains to thwart the would-be thieves so notorious in the Oakland area.

Skateboards are best for zipping in and out of traffic for relatively short distances, but soft wheels are recommended to get around the cracks and potholes so notorious in the streets of our
poorly planned metropolis. But for the love of God, don’t be that guy who drives everywhere just so you can crank the heat and listen to Rhianna in the comfort of your mobile living room.