When gas prices spike, everyone suddenly rediscovers bicycles—until the weather turns and half the city gives up.

A closer look

Every time gas prices skyrocket, bicycles make a triumphant comeback, wheeling through the city like eco-friendly saviors. For a few glorious weeks, people pedal with determination, convinced they’ve unlocked the secret to saving money—and the planet. But then the skies open up, the wind bites, and suddenly those shiny bikes are abandoned in basements again. The dream quickly dissolves into puddles, proving that while humans love the idea of sustainable commuting, we secretly require perfect weather conditions to commit. Sunshine, it seems, is our true fuel.