I would add Motorcycle to the list.  I get 40-50 mpg, take up 25% of the space, weigh a fraction of the weight, and put less wear and tear on the road compared to a car.  Image how much open space there would be on the roads if 50% of the cars were replaced with 2-wheeled vehicles.

Also, regarding that "change your oil every 3000 miles".  That just really isn't necessary with modern engines and oil.  Follow your owner's manual.  Most are going to go 5000 to 8000 miles or more between changes.  Less oil changes equates to less overall oil usage, and less that has to be disposed of or recycled.

I think if everyone would call in sick at least once a week that would help.

Good comments, Sloan. I'd consider 2-wheeled transportation myself if it came with a steel frame, seat belts, and airbags. :)

Seriously, it's hard to balance safety with efficiency. Some people think they need a huge tank of an SUV if they want to be safe on the road. Then other people follow suit because they don't want to be killed in a collision with said SUV-tank. My solution is to drive a hybrid hatchback with front and side-curtain airbags and to always wear my seatbelt. I might get bounced around like a pinball when a Cadillac Escalade hits me, but I'll probably live through it.

A while back, I heard a guy on the radio argue that he and his wife drive large pickups because Houston freeways are full of big trucks that could kill you if you drive a small car. My question: Does it really matter whether you're driving a 2500-lb sedan or a 5000-lb pickup when you get hit by an 80,000-lb eighteen-wheeler? Either way, you're basically a cue ball.

Amen Steve.  And that Prius-like vehicle really gets as good a mpg as almost all motorcycles, and you can carry several more people and respectable cargo at the same time.  The question comes up at times why bikes don't get better gas mileage but it's a combination of things like higher aero-drag (much higher) and the performance of bikes in america.  Not too many 4-wheelers will run 0-60 in 4 seconds, and why should they (or the motorcycles for that matter actually?)  

And for the vehicle size, years ago my mother was killed in a wreck while driving a full size pickup (lived in the country, carried a ton of horse feed, etc, so the truck was really necessary).  And all that one took was another full size pickup in a head-on 60 mph crash.  People thing bigger size is a sure thing, but it just aint so.  :-)

And a Motor is LEGAL SOV in the HOV!

Now are they legal in the Katy HOT in the inside lane at toll plazas during HOV times?

Last Friday, I went to see the Terra Cotta people at the  HMNS.  I used:

108 to Downtown via HOV

Walked to the bank via the Tunnel System.

Walked to the LRT via the Tunnel system

Took LRT From Main Street Square to Hermann Park/Rice.

Walked from LRT to HMNS.

BTW, I did save $20.00:

$10.00 on METRO coupon.

$10.00 by NOT parking at HMNS!

How about 4 10's instead of 5 8's?  That work sched would reduce traffic by 20%, without buying another bus, or a yard of concrete!   Rotate the day off, so you have a 3 day weekend every 3-4 weeks!

Well, a 4-day week would be great for the office workers, but that extra day off would be spent running errands because you're off and everyone else is open.

Chloe:

EXACTLY!  And when I am off during the week my Q gets used!