Seems like more people want bikes now. I saw this on my way to check my email.
Soaring Gas Prices Lead Some to Seek Two-Wheeled AlternativesPublished: 6/25/08, 5:21 PM EDT
Passing by the same gas station on the way to work, each morning it seems as though the gas prices have climbed by a penny or two. On those rare instances when the price actually drops, be it ever so marginally, Amanda Jay becomes giddy. "It's as if it's a sign that at least for a moment all is right with the world. But the feeling doesn't last long," she says. "By the time I pass by again on the afternoon commute it'll likely be three or four cents higher."
Amanda, like many people, was putting over sixty dollars worth of gas in the tank of her SUV at least twice a week. With fuel costs cutting wide swathes into other areas of her personal budget, she finally said enough is enough. Amanda made the same move that many Americans are making to deal with the rising cost of gas. She bought a motorcycle. "My motorcycle gets better than twice the mileage that my SUV," Amanda says. "On days that the weather is decent, I can ride my motorcycle to the office and I have more than cut my commuting cost in half. The bike will end up paying for itself."
Amanda's not alone. While car sales are in decline, motorcycle dealerships across the country are setting sales records. People who would have never considered themselves the "biker type" are throwing a leg over a motorcycle for the first time, while many former motorcyclists are returning. Men and women of all ages have been flocking to dealerships, and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation is estimating that over 300,000 people will take the new rider course this year.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation, and the American Motorcyclist Association both highly recommend taking a training course for new and returning riders. "Riding a motorcycle is more dangerous than driving a car and a rider, new or old, can never be too prepared." In addition to taking an organized course, the MSF recommends the use of personal protective gear including abrasion resistant jacket and pants, gloves, boots and (most importantly) a DOT approved helmet.
"Not only am I saving money by riding a motorcycle to work," Amanda went on to say, "it's actually made my commute fun."
Darn gas prices.