Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 5 minutes ago
Why does cheap gas secretly cost you thousands yearly? I expose how low fuel prices trap you in a cycle of car dependency, oversized vehicles, and hidden costs that bleed your wallet dry. I’ll reveal why Americans pay more despite cheaper pumps, how gas psychology fuels reckless spending on trucks... don't forget the societal “freedom tax” of car-centric hellscapes. From isolation to crumbling infrastructure, cheap gas is wreaking havoc on us all.
The IS hope, though. I also go over some practical steps to break free (e-bikes, policy changes, 15-minute cities) and build communities where gas prices don’t dictate your life. Let’s escape the scam together - because we've already done it and can show you the ways 😜
================
Get early access to videos and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, like our extensive brainstorming sessions, full interviews, and video commentaries over at patreon.com/bendurham
Do you have an insider tip or unique information on a story? Do you have a suggestion for a story you want me to cover? Submit via email: bendurhamproductions@gmail.com
• where to find me •
Instagram: instagram.com/bendurham.ca
TikTok: tiktok.com/@bendurham.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/BenDurham.ca
Website: bendurham.ca
================
Some links below are affiliate links (no extra cost for you, kickbacks for me for these free videos for you).
================
⏬ Products and Gear Used in this video (affiliate links*)
================
Everything I use, in one place: bendurham.ca/gear-guide
Main equipment used in this video:
🎥 Canon EOS R7 Super 35 Sensor: amzn.to/42rCwIu
🕶 Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC Lens (EF mount): amzn.to/4b3OPyy
^ at 24mm
🖇 Canon EF-EOS R Mount Adapter: amzn.to/3UHoFfo
🎤 Shure SM58: amzn.to/4f5ckKi
👆⏺ with a Zoom F3 (32-bit Float Field Recorder): amzn.to/4f5ckKi
🌬🚫 Shure A2WS Windscreen: amzn.to/3zKuzo8
================
My other regularly used equipment:
================
🚲 cargo trailer that I use: amzn.to/46eYot4
🚲 cargo ebike: Tern GSD (gen2)
🚲 my ebike: Ride1Up 500 Series Step-Thru (discontinued)
🚲 Natalia's bike: Biktrix Swift Step-Thru (gen1) [review: youtu.be/jbpyzhw9-NQ]
🎥 Canon EOS R6 Full-Frame used a lot outside the studio: amzn.to/43HmkFS
🎥 GoPro 11 often used in biking footage (just not in this video)
But the GoPro 13 is the best right now: amzn.to/3ZvBY4C
👓 Canon RF 35mm f1.8 lens is my fave lens on FF cameras: amzn.to/40piZXk
👓 Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L lens: amzn.to/3xa1Aq8
👓 Canon RF50mm F 1.2L: amzn.to/35Lp9KK
👓 Canon RF16mm F2.8 STM: amzn.to/3udJTEu
🎤 Tascam DR-10L 24-bit lav mic recorders: amzn.to/3XRpu7u
🎤 The newest Tascam DR-10L Pro (32bit): amzn.to/4cDxhKa
🎤 Wireless Lav Mics (I use the old Sennheiser G3 setup): amzn.to/3ufIcpT
🌬🚫 Shure A81WS Windscreen: amzn.to/3XWk5Mm
💁♂️ Manfrotto Fluid Head Tripod amzn.to/3VQr4Un
💁♂️ Travel Tripod (very light): amzn.to/3L3zS1T
💁♂️ Slightly larger tripod: amzn.to/3KjIqBY
Stabilization:
🎈current gimbal: Ronin S (discontinued)
I'll be upgrading to the DJI RS 4: amzn.to/3PuVRmV
or maybe the lighter DJI Osmo Pocket 3: amzn.to/40qDGoJ
💻 OBS for screen-captures
================
WATCH and RATE the Wheels and Beyond podcast on:
» Spotify: bendurham.ca/WAB-spotify
» bendurham.ca/WAB-apple
» bendurham.ca/WAB-yt
================
⌚ CHAPTERS ⌚
00:00 Intro
02:03 USA vs Global Gas Prices
07:15 True Cost of Driving (beyond gas)
12:46 Psychology of Car Dependency
15:16 The Hidden “Freedom Tax”
19:34 Solutions and Breaking the Cycle
Why does cheap gas secretly cost you thousands yearly? I expose how low fuel prices trap you in a cycle of car dependency, oversized vehicles, and hidden costs that bleed your wallet dry. I’ll reveal why Americans pay more despite cheaper pumps, how gas psychology fuels reckless spending on trucks... don't forget the societal “freedom tax” of car-centric hellscapes. From isolation to crumbling infrastructure, cheap gas is wreaking havoc on us all.
The IS hope, though. I also go over some practical steps to break free (e-bikes, policy changes, 15-minute cities) and build communities where gas prices don’t dictate your life. Let’s escape the scam together - because we've already done it and can show you the ways 😜
================
Get early access to videos and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, like our extensive brainstorming sessions, full interviews, and video commentaries over at patreon.com/bendurham
Do you have an insider tip or unique information on a story? Do you have a suggestion for a story you want me to cover? Submit via email: bendurhamproductions@gmail.com
• where to find me •
Instagram: instagram.com/bendurham.ca
TikTok: tiktok.com/@bendurham.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/BenDurham.ca
Website: bendurham.ca
================
Some links below are affiliate links (no extra cost for you, kickbacks for me for these free videos for you).
================
⏬ Products and Gear Used in this video (affiliate links*)
================
Everything I use, in one place: bendurham.ca/gear-guide
Main equipment used in this video:
🎥 Canon EOS R7 Super 35 Sensor: amzn.to/42rCwIu
🕶 Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC Lens (EF mount): amzn.to/4b3OPyy
^ at 24mm
🖇 Canon EF-EOS R Mount Adapter: amzn.to/3UHoFfo
🎤 Shure SM58: amzn.to/4f5ckKi
👆⏺ with a Zoom F3 (32-bit Float Field Recorder): amzn.to/4f5ckKi
🌬🚫 Shure A2WS Windscreen: amzn.to/3zKuzo8
================
My other regularly used equipment:
================
🚲 cargo trailer that I use: amzn.to/46eYot4
🚲 cargo ebike: Tern GSD (gen2)
🚲 my ebike: Ride1Up 500 Series Step-Thru (discontinued)
🚲 Natalia's bike: Biktrix Swift Step-Thru (gen1) [review: youtu.be/jbpyzhw9-NQ]
🎥 Canon EOS R6 Full-Frame used a lot outside the studio: amzn.to/43HmkFS
🎥 GoPro 11 often used in biking footage (just not in this video)
But the GoPro 13 is the best right now: amzn.to/3ZvBY4C
👓 Canon RF 35mm f1.8 lens is my fave lens on FF cameras: amzn.to/40piZXk
👓 Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L lens: amzn.to/3xa1Aq8
👓 Canon RF50mm F 1.2L: amzn.to/35Lp9KK
👓 Canon RF16mm F2.8 STM: amzn.to/3udJTEu
🎤 Tascam DR-10L 24-bit lav mic recorders: amzn.to/3XRpu7u
🎤 The newest Tascam DR-10L Pro (32bit): amzn.to/4cDxhKa
🎤 Wireless Lav Mics (I use the old Sennheiser G3 setup): amzn.to/3ufIcpT
🌬🚫 Shure A81WS Windscreen: amzn.to/3XWk5Mm
💁♂️ Manfrotto Fluid Head Tripod amzn.to/3VQr4Un
💁♂️ Travel Tripod (very light): amzn.to/3L3zS1T
💁♂️ Slightly larger tripod: amzn.to/3KjIqBY
Stabilization:
🎈current gimbal: Ronin S (discontinued)
I'll be upgrading to the DJI RS 4: amzn.to/3PuVRmV
or maybe the lighter DJI Osmo Pocket 3: amzn.to/40qDGoJ
💻 OBS for screen-captures
================
WATCH and RATE the Wheels and Beyond podcast on:
» Spotify: bendurham.ca/WAB-spotify
» bendurham.ca/WAB-apple
» bendurham.ca/WAB-yt
================
⌚ CHAPTERS ⌚
00:00 Intro
02:03 USA vs Global Gas Prices
07:15 True Cost of Driving (beyond gas)
12:46 Psychology of Car Dependency
15:16 The Hidden “Freedom Tax”
19:34 Solutions and Breaking the Cycle
