Reported by: Bill Price
Photographed by: 9News
Web produced by: Neil Relyea
As Tri-state gas prices set new records, more people are garaging their
cars and doing their commuting and shopping by bicycle.
The increase in regular riders is boosting the Tri-state's bicycle business
in a big way.
With the arrival of spring, there are a lot more people riding their
bicycles around for both recreation and fitness.
But Tri-state bicycle shops are reporting a quarter to a third more
business this spring compared to last as some people shift from "driving"
to work – to "riding" to work.
Over the past few weeks, business has gone through the roof at the Bicycles
& More shop on Glenmore in Cheviot.
They report 25% higher sales of new bikes and greatly increased repair work
on older bicycles this year.
"It's really great. Everybody is switching over to bikes," said Wanda
Keilholz. "They've decided to get their bikes out and ride them."
You don't have to look hard in the Tri-state to see a lot more bicycles
filling bike racks than we used to see.
More people are using them for short commutes to work or to go grocery
shopping.
Dominick Lopresti is a cyclist who races and he notices a lot more company
now on his bicycle training runs around town lately.
"Seven to 8:30, and I've noticed, for this early in the season, a lot more
people are out riding," said Lopresti. "And that's good to see."
The Metro bus service says it stopped counting how many riders put a
bicycle on racks in front of their buses.
Although we didn't see anyone using the bus bike racks downtown at noon
Friday, we're told some routes often have several bike riders on the same
bus.
Even though University of Cincinnati students get free Metro pare with
their student IDs, a number of them don't bother with the bus – or their
cars anymore.
"I drive my car now, maybe just once or twice a month," said Jared Calhoun,
a UC student. "Before, I used to drive it every day."
"I take my bike. I drive it to campus every day, take it down to the
grocery store. I just can't afford to buy gas around here," he added.
If you want to commute by bicycle, work up to it slowly with regular trips
around the neighborhood outside of rush hours.
Then test out a commute to work on a Saturday or Sunday when you can take
your time – without having to fight traffic.
http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=30bf652e-8a7e-4282-be25-9a7fbc5b184a