I saw Bens bike thread get shut down after it turned into an argument between drivers and riders over who (whom?) was the bigger douchbag. This is hopefully to alert the out of shape car and truck drivers of the real possibility that the best SHTF vehicle might in fact be a bike. (Bicycle). Lets keep this on a preparedness-survival theme, just like the forum title, and save the finger pointing. If possible. Sure the bikes impact may be much like a nat on a cows bubblegum, small and insignificant. Unless there is widespread participation and planning.
We've all seen the scientists increase their predictions that a major earthquake is much closer to us than we formerly perceived. Some of us saw the buckled roads of the 1964 Alaska quake. It that were to be transposed here, catastrophic would be the only word for it and it would hit us all. Hard. Portland is getting national attention via their program to start integrating bikes into disaster planning. http://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2014/07/portland_cargo_bike_disaster_d.html There are a lot of great comments of all shape and sizes and humor levels. One of the best comments will be copied and pasted here.
Kenji_Sugahara said:
Consider a widespread quake wherein PDX and Seattle get it the worst. In 3-5 days PDX is out of gas, Seattle, as the bigger city with much more Federal presence, will get the big Federal earthquake relief (if it comes) first. So even if you have a bug out plan and extra fuel stored (like most of us do), getting past the buckled roads may be impossible.
We've all seen the scientists increase their predictions that a major earthquake is much closer to us than we formerly perceived. Some of us saw the buckled roads of the 1964 Alaska quake. It that were to be transposed here, catastrophic would be the only word for it and it would hit us all. Hard. Portland is getting national attention via their program to start integrating bikes into disaster planning. http://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2014/07/portland_cargo_bike_disaster_d.html There are a lot of great comments of all shape and sizes and humor levels. One of the best comments will be copied and pasted here.
Kenji_Sugahara said:
"Lots of people commenting who have absolutely no clue or have not taken the time or energy to read the relevant materials. @Tombdragon knows what he is talking about. Take the time and read the Oregon resilience plan.
http://www.oregon.gov/OMD/OEM/osspac/docs/Oregon_Resilience_Plan_Final.pdf What many fail to understand is that most gasoline for the region comes through one terminal. "Liquefaction vulnerabilities are known to have been addressed in the case of only three existing tanks. The tank farms in the fuel terminals of the CEI Hub have on average a three- to five-day supply of regular unleaded gasoline and diesel fuel.
... If the supply chain is disrupted by pipe breaks north of the CEI Hub and by closure of the shipping channel to the west, fuel would quickly become scarce. Options to transport fuel from the east and south and by air are very limited." Not only are you dealing with fuel shortages- you'll be dealing with a lot of buckled roads and unsafe/impassable bridges. Instead of discounting something because you don't like the mode of transportation- get over it and read about the potential impacts of a major earthquake. Don't think the cavalry is going to come save you after an earthquake- because they won't. "
Consider a widespread quake wherein PDX and Seattle get it the worst. In 3-5 days PDX is out of gas, Seattle, as the bigger city with much more Federal presence, will get the big Federal earthquake relief (if it comes) first. So even if you have a bug out plan and extra fuel stored (like most of us do), getting past the buckled roads may be impossible.