Drivers turning to alternative transportation

Mon April 07 2008
Posted Apr 7, 2008
6,157

By Melissa Shriver Quincy, IL Now it seems it's not just our pocketbooks affected by high fuel prices. Actually the roads you drive every day are taking the hit as well. Officials say since residents are driving less to conserve gas, there's less money from gas taxes. In Iowa alone...drivers used 19 million *fewer* gallons of gas the past 12 months than in previous years. That's less tax money to fix roads and bridges. That got us wondering what drivers are doing differently to conserve gas...and keep more money in their wallets. Larry Patterson's feeling the pinch at the pump...but that's driven him to do something a little different with his transportation these days. What have you done differently? Patterson said, "A couple of things I've done differently, I started walking, the weather is nicer so I've started walking places close to me but if there's a distance then I try to get a bus pass." But on this particular day...Patterson was actually fueling up for a specific purpose. Patterson said, "I have considered getting a bike. I'm actually on my way now to look at prices for a bike." As it turns out that's becoming a popular thing to do these days. Greg Davis is a partner at Madison and Davis Bicycle shop in Quincy. Have you seen an influx in customers since gas prices started going up? Davis said, "Actually last year we saw it quite a bit. We're seeing a couple of things, people are coming in and looking for what a new bicycle would cost to supplement their transportation and we're seeing a lot of people pulling out bikes that haven't been ridden a long time to get refurbished." Davis has a couple of tips for folks looking to trade in their four wheels for two. First, dress properly for the ride - that includes visible clothing and a helmet. Also, purchase the right bike for the hike to work. davis said, "Keep in mind the purpose, you might have to trade in style for practicality. But when you figure 40 or 50 dollars for gas, that goes a long way toward a purchase of a bike." For drivers like Patterson, that's money well worth the cash he'll save here at the pump. Davis says these days bicycle makers are getting on board and actually designing bikes just for commuting.