by J.L. Eck

Created on: August 15, 2010

The combination of economic downfall, unemployment, greenhouse gases and rising fuel costs have driven people the world over to finding alternate methods of transportation.  Technological advances have also given rise to more efficient methods of “getting around town.”  There are several alternative modes of transportation that stand as the best ways to save money.

First of all, there is manual transportation.  Walking and riding a bicycle are the top two ways to save money using alternate methods of transportation.  Not only will you save money, you will get exercise that is important to increasing health and wellness.  The cardiovascular system loves a good, long walk - as does the wallet.

Now that the obvious is out of the way, we can move on to the not-so-usual forms of transportation that can save you money.  A small scooter such as a Vespa is a great way to get around town or the country-side.  These little scooters get excellent fuel mileage and have quite the reputation for getting around places like the wine country of Italy.  They come in a variety of designs with many features and accessories. 

High-tech transportation is becoming more and more available to the public.  Such items as the Segway have had sporadic moments of popularity, even spots on talk shows and comedies, but have a limited range and tend to be difficult for most to use or understand.  The Segway personal transport device now has several designs available, though, which have revived interest in the unusual machine.  It even comes with “armor” and all-terrain tires!  There are also tiny electric scooters that can travel faster than 10 mph and can hold a charge that allows for more than an hour of use.  These tend to cost less than the Segway which saves more money in the end.

Public transit is another way of saving money with alternative forms of transportation.  If you would normally take the truck to work simply for the comfort of a big ride, you could save a bundle by hopping aboard the mass transit system.  Mass transit systems such as subways and buses are usually very reliable and cost much less than upkeep and fuel for that old truck.

There are many ways to save money by getting around with alternate methods.  All you have to do is decide to get out of that car and take a leisurely stroll, or take a flight in an ultra-light.  What you do and how you do it is up to you.

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