On this Bike to Work Day, US President George W. Bush is taking the theme to heart. This photo was snapped yesterday while he was taking a spin on an Israeli-made bicycle presented to him by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Despite his new wheels, Bush was in Saudi Arabia this morning asking for more gas from King Abdullah.
It was Bush's second attempt at persuading the oil-rich nation to pump out more fuel and drive down huge gas prices sucking US consumers dry. The first attempt in January was met with a wintry response. The kingdom said it would increase production only when the market justified it, and that production levels appeared normal. Some economists attribute the high prices to increased demand, rather than stingy supply.
In the effort to curtail the pump-crunch the National Sporting Goods Association is hoping to combat the shrinking numbers of bikers — the number of Americans who bike frequently dwindled almost 10 percent in 2007 to 3.7 million people — and encourage pedal-powered commutes. One Wisconsin man has made the big plunge — to see his story and some fuel-saving tips, read more
