As much as I hate to say it, driving is a choice. A somewaht necessary choice, but one nonetheless.
There are so many ways to save a few bucks to make up for the rising cost of fuel that it really isn't THAT bad (YET).
I have made back the money I spent on my bicycle within the first 4 months of owning it last year (too cold now for bike riding) in fuel costs alone. I use my bike pretty much for anything I need to take care of around town (providing it fits in a backpack); and it's cheap entertainment too....
It's funny, our cable provider, Comcast, has an office just down the street from where we live- it's actually CHEAPER to mail the bill in than it is to drive there and back (but free on my bike). I think it's 3 miles round trip, the gas alone (not fuel or wear and tear) is $.60