LAWRENCE, Kan. - Carol Lowman, Topeka senior, rides her bike to class
every day, and has since last spring. The benefits, she says, have been
great.
Lowman, whose family of four own seven bikes, has always enjoyed the benefits of using two wheels. But recently she is finding that use of her bike is saving her more than just time and inconvenience; it's saving money at the gas pump.
Lowman is part of a nation-wide trend of commuters making bicycles their primary mode of transportation rather than suffer through higher gas prices.
Paul Davis, general manager of Sunflower Bike Shop, 802 Massachusetts, is expecting the busiest year he has had in the 12 years he has worked in the industry. Generally at this time of year bike shops sales slow after a busy summer. But last year Sunflower was busy through late October, and this year Davis thinks it will stay steady even later.
The rise in demand for bikes in town, according to Davis, is a direct effect of higher gas prices. "Once a week I talk to someone trying to save gas," Davis said.
Other bicycle dealers in town are also feeling the effects of higher gas prices. Gary Long, owner of Cycle Works, 2121 Kasold credits his "incredible June" to record setting gas prices. "Four dollars is the crossing point" Long said of the price of gas which reached an all time high in the month of June before returning to below $4 per gallon in July.
Local bike shops can not seem to keep enough bikes in stock, nor can
the factories they order from. While factories struggle to keep up with
orders, local shops are forced to get creative. "I have to go to
different options more than I used to," Davis said who is being forced
to buy from other venders rather than directly from the factory.
With high demand come higher prices as well. Long, who expected old models to be offered at a discounted rate hasn't seen that this year. Producers are having no problem getting rid of the 2008 models which have not been discounted despite being closed out.
It has become a struggle to keep up with sales for many of the bike manufacturers including Trek Bicycle Corp. Sam Foos, Trek Marketing, Whitewater, Wis., said they have increased the number of employees they have in order to cope with larger orders this year, but it can be a challenge. "We will always see fluctuation in what is and is not in stock." Foos said.
Even with the recent increase of bike sales, Davis understands the need for a smart business plan to prepare for next year. Sunflower, which will soon start preparing for next summer's rush will be reformatting to better serve their larger customer base. "It can turn off as quickly as it turns on," Davis said, which means adjusting to a different market is a must.
The daily commuters are not the only ones feeling the effects of higher gas prices. Bicycle consumers can expect an increase of 15 to 20 percent in the new line of 2009 bikes. Long said that as cost of energy goes up, so does the cost of his products. Giant, Cycle Works' primary brand, has increased the price of all its bikes. Long said this has nothing to do with increase in demand but simply the cost of production.
Other manufacturers are no different. Trek has also been forced to increase many of their prices. "Cost of materials and the shipping of those products are a large factor." Sam Foos of Trek Bicycle Corp. said.
Carol Lowman, for one, thinks that she has come out on top when it comes to her cost of commuting. "I get to class faster and I save a lot of gas money," Lowman said. In fact, she estimates she uses 60 percent less gas by riding her bike on a regular basis.
For Lowman there is no question whether riding her bike is a smart decision, and as gas prices get higher and higher more people are agreeing.
Lowman, whose family of four own seven bikes, has always enjoyed the benefits of using two wheels. But recently she is finding that use of her bike is saving her more than just time and inconvenience; it's saving money at the gas pump.
Lowman is part of a nation-wide trend of commuters making bicycles their primary mode of transportation rather than suffer through higher gas prices.
Paul Davis, general manager of Sunflower Bike Shop, 802 Massachusetts, is expecting the busiest year he has had in the 12 years he has worked in the industry. Generally at this time of year bike shops sales slow after a busy summer. But last year Sunflower was busy through late October, and this year Davis thinks it will stay steady even later.
The rise in demand for bikes in town, according to Davis, is a direct effect of higher gas prices. "Once a week I talk to someone trying to save gas," Davis said.
Other bicycle dealers in town are also feeling the effects of higher gas prices. Gary Long, owner of Cycle Works, 2121 Kasold credits his "incredible June" to record setting gas prices. "Four dollars is the crossing point" Long said of the price of gas which reached an all time high in the month of June before returning to below $4 per gallon in July.
Local bike shops can not seem to keep enough bikes in stock, nor can
the factories they order from. While factories struggle to keep up with
orders, local shops are forced to get creative. "I have to go to
different options more than I used to," Davis said who is being forced
to buy from other venders rather than directly from the factory. With high demand come higher prices as well. Long, who expected old models to be offered at a discounted rate hasn't seen that this year. Producers are having no problem getting rid of the 2008 models which have not been discounted despite being closed out.
It has become a struggle to keep up with sales for many of the bike manufacturers including Trek Bicycle Corp. Sam Foos, Trek Marketing, Whitewater, Wis., said they have increased the number of employees they have in order to cope with larger orders this year, but it can be a challenge. "We will always see fluctuation in what is and is not in stock." Foos said.
Even with the recent increase of bike sales, Davis understands the need for a smart business plan to prepare for next year. Sunflower, which will soon start preparing for next summer's rush will be reformatting to better serve their larger customer base. "It can turn off as quickly as it turns on," Davis said, which means adjusting to a different market is a must.
The daily commuters are not the only ones feeling the effects of higher gas prices. Bicycle consumers can expect an increase of 15 to 20 percent in the new line of 2009 bikes. Long said that as cost of energy goes up, so does the cost of his products. Giant, Cycle Works' primary brand, has increased the price of all its bikes. Long said this has nothing to do with increase in demand but simply the cost of production.
Other manufacturers are no different. Trek has also been forced to increase many of their prices. "Cost of materials and the shipping of those products are a large factor." Sam Foos of Trek Bicycle Corp. said.
Carol Lowman, for one, thinks that she has come out on top when it comes to her cost of commuting. "I get to class faster and I save a lot of gas money," Lowman said. In fact, she estimates she uses 60 percent less gas by riding her bike on a regular basis.
For Lowman there is no question whether riding her bike is a smart decision, and as gas prices get higher and higher more people are agreeing.
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