KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Trading in One Set of Wheels for Another; Dealing with High Gas Prices

Trading in One Set of Wheels for Another; Dealing with High Gas Prices

By: Ashley Ritchie

Nick Morales began riding his bike to work about three weeks ago.

"Just when it got over $4. Plus, I work here and everybody rides. Just seems like a more health conscious and environmentally friendly thing to do," Morales said.

Morales works at Performance Bicycles, one business in Fresno that's actually benefiting from high gas prices.

"People that don't want to spend money on gas come here," Performance Bicycles sales manager Manny Ledesma said.

Ledesma says bike sales are up anywhere from 10 to 15%.

"Because of the gas prices, people just want to ride more and save on that dollar," he said.

And while some are biking, others are busing; giving public transportation a wild ride of its own.

"We're literally getting more and more new passengers," Ken Hamm, Director of Transportation with the City of Fresno, said. "We never dreamed it would be anything like it has become."

Hamm says riding the bus can save you a substantial amount of cash when it comes to day to day living. One bus ride costs $1, which means you can take a round trip for just $2.

"I would say $2 a day is probably a good deal right now," Hamm said.

Back at Performance Bicycle, Nick Morales gets set for another six-mile ride home from work.

But if gas prices go back down will he trade in his helmet for a hemi?

"They'd have to go down a lot because I'm already starting to get used to it. It would be a hard habit to break now," Morales said.

There are a number of different bus routes available through the City of Fresno. To find out which are right for you, call 621-RIDE or visit their website.

Managers at Performance Bicycle say they have bikes for riders of all experience levels. You should expect to spend around $300 to get everything you need. But then you'll be set for at least a few years.