Government giveaways: Find your way to the bike of your dreams and more

[caption id="attachment_12133" align="alignleft" width="300"] Travelers bicycle, sometimes can be had at government auctions[/caption]

Carol Forsloff---It used to be that if you wanted to attend the local city, state or Federal government auction to get a bargain on an item you wanted you had to check in at an official location, register, then make your selection and bid. But how many people know that you can buy almost anything online these days, at government auctions that include everything from a refrigerator door to a Harley bike?

Years ago there would be bike sales of those turned in to various police departments, bikes that were stolen and the owner not found, those given away or left stranded somewhere, and various others that were picked up here and there. Parents would say to children who were looking for a bike to wait until that annual date when, if folks arrived early enough, a good bike might be found. These days there are more opportunities to find items, and people don't even have to leave the comfort of an easy chair to do it.

For each site, an individual must register and complete a form before offering a bid. In the case of Federal government sales, only federal agencies can list items for sale. The buyer is directed to click on one of the listed items if making a bid, which takes the person to a Sales center site that has the item where an individual can either bid for the item or purchase it directly.

Need a walk-through metal detector? You can buy one from the Federal government at an official government sales site. And the current bid is $10. Lost your refrigerator door? The Feds are selling that too, and the present bid is $5. Of course, there are more practical items like bookshelves or miscellaneous office furniture.

And that bike for your girl or boy? Right now the Federal government has none listed. However, you can purchase a 2000 Harley Davidson FLHPI motorcycle for the bargain basement price of $3500. Fortunately there are no bids yet, so here's your chance to get that vehicle for you or your buddy or young adult son and save money while helping out Uncle Sam get rid of those special goodies on the cheap.

What might be the advantages of life without a personal vehicle?

[caption id="attachment_19581" align="alignleft" width="225"] Portlanders fancy pedal power[/caption]

Mike Gordon----If you live in a city that has a public transportation system that allows you access to your frequent daily and weekly destinations, you may be considering ditching your car. There are many advantages to living without a personal vehicle, like reducing your carbon footprint, getting in some additional exercise by walking and biking more frequently, and eliminating the growing costs of insuring and fueling a vehicle. Below are some items to consider when deciding if living carless in the city is right for you.

Advantages of Public Transportation

The largest motivator for many individuals considering ditching their car is the savings. By selling your car, you can eliminate your car payment, car insurance, gas, licensing fees and tabs, and car maintenance expenses. However, driving in a large city also comes with other costs such as rented parking spaces, parking meters and garages fees at all of your destinations, parking permits, city stickers, valet parking, parking tickets, and the additional time and gas spent looking for parking spaces.

Besides savings on expenses like these, taking public transportation can sometimes be faster than or just as fast as driving, particularly in poor weather or rush hour traffic. Ditching your car will reduce your carbon footprint and often allows you to learn more about your city by spending more time on foot or bike.

Disadvantages of Public Transportation

While there are many advantages to living without a personal vehicle, there are some disadvantages and adjustments you will need to make. You will need to learn the frequency and times of day that public transportation is available and always be ready with cab fare when you are traveling during a time in which transportation is not running in your area. While cabs may become part of your car-free living plan, if they are used too often they can really add up. Public transportation sometimes has excessive delays (as does conventional city driving), and public transportation is sometimes dirty, crowded, and noisy.

Car Rentals

When you need to travel outside of the city or need to shop for large items that don't travel well via public transportation, you can rent a car. Due to the growing demand of short-term car rentals many cities offer hourly or reduced rate one-day car rental options. Here are some car rental options to consider:

Hourly Car Rentals: Sometimes you just need a car for a few hours so you can run to the grocery store and stock up on bulky and heavy items. Instead of paying a full day's rental fees, you can rent a car from an hourly rental service. These services distribute their cars in multiple locations throughout the city to give you ease of access.

Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing: There are many peer-to-peer car share websites and apps that allow a person who has a car that they don't drive frequently to lend it to someone who just needs a car for a few hours or a few days. Peer-to-peer car share programs are often less expensive than hourly rentals or rental agencies, but you are likely not to be in a brand new car like when you rent from a traditional car rental agency. Sometimes you can even rent hotrods and luxury cars on peer-to-peer sites, but they will cost you a pretty penny. Before renting with a peer-to-peer site, make sure you understand your state laws for car sharing, verify that the owner's insurance provides you coverage, learn the deposit required to rent, and your responsibility for loss, damage, tickets, and accidents.

Car Rental Agencies: To stay competitive with the short term rental needs that city residents have from time to time, many car rental agencies offer special short-term rentals to local residents. Call your local agencies to find out what they have to offer, but it can be anywhere from half-day rentals to discounted full day pricing.

Eliminating your car will take some time and adjustment, but once you get used to the routes you travel frequently it will begin to feel like second nature.



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This article was provided by Mike Gordon, earth-conscious volunteer and recent business school graduate. If you are a California resident trying to save space and money (on top of ditching your car)

New bike reaffirms value in physical activity in a safer mode on all terrains

Bicycle, the kind that can be good on all terrains

Portland, Oregon is one of those locations where bike is king and dedicated bike lanes are everywhere. So it is a major area for the development of new ways to make biking safe. In fact it is a location where different electric fat bike designs are emerging that can perform well in both snow and sand. The Big Easy is one of them.

Gizmag outlines the newest, safety-minded bicycle. That Big Easy is said to master some of the hardest terrains. That makes it a good choice for biking in Oregon terrain, whether that is along the coast of Oregon, such as Seaside and Astoria where sand reigns supreme, or snow in the state's mountainous areas.

The Big Easy sports those fat tires for safety and also electric power that can be sustained for 20 miles. It's designer - distributor, Defiant, maintains it is the kind of bike that can be used all year. And since Oregon is one of the states with considerable variety in both weather and terrain, it becomes a viable option for those who want a safe and reliable commute all year long.

Some of these bicycles are being made in Portland, but they are not cheap. Expect a price tag of about $4, 495.