johnnymk
09-01-2005, 05:22 AM
MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — When Kathy Helland and Doug Montgomery bought scooters for the kids earlier this year, they were thinking about fun, not saving money.
“When the gas prices went up, they became an even better deal,” Kathy Helland said.
In recent weeks, Justin Helland, his sister, Jennifer Helland, and her boyfriend, Ryan Havey, have been driving their Honda Metropolitan scooters across town to work.
The scooters’ gas tanks each hold a little over a gallon of gas. Scooters get 60 to 100 miles per gallon.
This northern Iowa family is among many seeking alternative forms of transportation due to high gas prices.
“We have actually been selling quite a few scooters lately,” said Jeff Finley, general manager at Mason City Powersports.
Scooters range from those classified as mopeds, with a top speed of 30 mph, to those classified as motorcycles, which can cruise at interstate speeds.
Motorcycles and bicycles are also selling well, according to area dealers.
Matt Curtis, owner of Wayne’s Ski & Cycle in Mason City, said he’s not so sure an increase in bicycle sales is entirely due to high gas prices.
The gas prices probably are helping sales a little, he said, but gains are short-lived once people realize it takes longer to get to work on a bike than in a car.
Curtis said it will take an even bigger jump in gas prices to make people turn to bicycles in significant numbers because they aren’t practical in the winter.
“When the gas prices went up, they became an even better deal,” Kathy Helland said.
In recent weeks, Justin Helland, his sister, Jennifer Helland, and her boyfriend, Ryan Havey, have been driving their Honda Metropolitan scooters across town to work.
The scooters’ gas tanks each hold a little over a gallon of gas. Scooters get 60 to 100 miles per gallon.
This northern Iowa family is among many seeking alternative forms of transportation due to high gas prices.
“We have actually been selling quite a few scooters lately,” said Jeff Finley, general manager at Mason City Powersports.
Scooters range from those classified as mopeds, with a top speed of 30 mph, to those classified as motorcycles, which can cruise at interstate speeds.
Motorcycles and bicycles are also selling well, according to area dealers.
Matt Curtis, owner of Wayne’s Ski & Cycle in Mason City, said he’s not so sure an increase in bicycle sales is entirely due to high gas prices.
The gas prices probably are helping sales a little, he said, but gains are short-lived once people realize it takes longer to get to work on a bike than in a car.
Curtis said it will take an even bigger jump in gas prices to make people turn to bicycles in significant numbers because they aren’t practical in the winter.