Now that it's official, and all, that we're in a recession, it's even smarter to sell all your earthly gas-guzzling possessions and buy bikes. Many proponents of Peak Oil, and even generally conservative folks who are becoming decidedly alarmist, are predicting enormous increases in gas prices sometime in the next decade. Bike folk hope it will happen sooner.

Be prepared. Even if it's not Global Economic Gas Crisis, maybe (as in the scenario covered in this excellent blog post) you're in debt, out of credit, and suddenly become under-employed, you may find yourself in need of a new reality that doesn't include spending hundreds each month on gas, maintenance, and car insurance. What kind of bike do you need for your own personal End Times?

Blogger TH talks to some bike experts (and watches the considerable resourcefulness of the local homeless bike riders) and comes up with the following tips:

With the economy in the toilet, now might be a good time to get a bike: to cut down on gas costs, get some low-cost exercise, and help with that paper route you got to help pay your cable bill. Wal-Mart is offering this 26" Men's Huffy Cranbrook Cruiser Bike, Champagne for $79.88. Shipping is free if you pick it up in-store.

It's gotten very good customer reviews on the Wal-Mart site. According to the manufacturer:

Huffy 26" Men's Cranbrook Cruiser Bike, Champagne:

• Cruise the neighborhood and bike path
• Classic single-speed cruiser with improved features
• Dual-density pedals and grips for improved handling
• Weather-resistant alloy rims
• Painted fenders to discourage rust
• Classic steel cruiser frame
• Large spring saddle with micro-fiber cover and quick release
• Painted front and rear fenders
• Weather-resistant alloy rims
• Coaster brakes
• Whitewall tires
• Steel cruiser handlebars

I don't drive, preferring instead to ride my bike, and get my fair share of rather nasty comments (all the worse when I'm toting my three boys around town), even though I'm probably about the safest, most law-abiding rider on the planet. I'm always struggling to put appropriate words to my anger and sense of unfairness when I'm faced with a many-ton vehicle driven by someone who clearly misunderstands our relative rights to use the roadways. (In other words: We both have them, and I'm pretty sure I have a right to not be run over by you.) Now I have them.

No-Impact Man, Colin Beavan, is famous for trying to live his life without any impact on our carbon footprint. As part of this commitment, he rides his bike to work in New York City. Yesterday, while riding his bike and wearing a purple helmet, he got in an altercation with New York state senator Jeff Klein -- who almost hit him with his large black Mercedes, and then called him a "f-cking a--hole" for knocking on his window to alert him of his presence.

Beavan wrote an amazingly calm and eloquent letter to Jeff Klein, posting it on his blog and promising to hand-deliver it to Klein's office.

Every day, WalletPop will be bringing you information about a fantastic freebie. Like what you see? Check back tomorrow for more!

If you need a DVD to convince your kids to wear a helmet when biking to avoid brain damage, fill out this form to receive Lidz on Kidz: The Movie from Morrel Kelly, a personal injury law firm. According to the site:

Lidz on Kidz is to generate awareness among children and their families of the importance of wearing protective helmets to prevent brain injuries. Morell Kelly p.c. funds an in-school education program which provides information about how to fit bicycle helmet and by distributing hundreds of helmets to children in the Waterloo Region.

If you are switching to a bike for your daily commute in order to save money at the pump, be sure to brush up on your bicycle safety. I'm sure most of you won't be trying the eyes-closed commute, but with mobile technology being what it is, I can certainly see someone trying the no hands approach to cycling.

This humorous cartoon should give you a brief reminder of basic bike safety. Bike safety is important, especially if you are in the seat each day for a several-mile commute. One accident can quickly negate months of gasoline savings! If you want a more informational approach to bike safety for adults check out How to not get hit by cars, where you can learn how to avoid the "right hook" and the "door prize."

Be safe out there!

With the ever-increasing cost of gasoline, more consumers are looking for alternative methods of transportation. If you're a baby boomer and you're looking for an appropriate bicycle, this video might help!

What are seniors looking for in bikes? They're looking for something that's a bit more comfortable, and these bikes have seats and configurations that work well for older consumers. They look old-school to me, but the experts say that in spite of the look, they're actually pretty new age and feature-rich, and therefore easier to ride. The bikes aren't cheap, but might be worth a look!

Tracy L. Coenen, CPA, MBA, CFE performs fraud examinations and financial investigations for her company Sequence Inc. Forensic Accounting, and is the author of Essentials of Corporate Fraud.

This coming week May 12 through 16 is Bike-to-Work Week with Friday the 16 being Bike-to-Work day. The event is sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists and has many events nationwide. The league has also provided a listing of 50 ways to enjoy the bike related festivities during May, national Bike Month. If you have organized an event in your local community as part of the celebration you can get it added to the official page of events.

Biking to work is a great way to save money on gas as it approaches the $4 mark in many areas of the country. Biking to work has many other benefits including being environmentally friendly. The exercise gained from biking to and from work even a short distance is good for your body. The savings over time for being healthy and in good shape throughout your life is worth more than most people can tally up.

If I was more of a morning person or if I lived closer to work I would definitely take advantage of Bike-to-Work week. Unfortunately I live about 20 miles one way from work and I don't have the desire to get up early enough nor do I have the physical prowess to bike 20 miles and then put in a full day's work. If my employer provided a good shower facility I might attempt to bike every now and then, so long as I had a safety net to pick me up when I fell behind.

Do any readers bike to work? How far do you go? Does your employer provide areas to benefit bikers or incentives to bike?