I guess sucking the life out of the earth wasn’t lucrative enough, now gas companies have turned to selling air. Yup, local gas stations that used to offer air to cyclists and car owners alike, now charge for the privilege of serving themselves to the compressed air pumps and tire gauges. In an article in the Globe and Mail, the company that services the often broken machines, defends the companies, claiming repairs are a real cost. And besides, they say, the gas conglomerates give some of the money to charity. I guess the shareholders get the rest. Fortunately, many bike shops share their pumps with cyclists – no-holds-barred.