Montrose - Daily Press

MONTROSE — Consumers are combing the market for something different to help cut down the cost of getting around; and bike, scooter and car inventories are moving out as fuel costs move up.

At least in the short term, demand for fuel-efficient cars is growing, along with a surplus of used SUVs and trucks, said Flower Motor general manager Fletcher Flower.

“Everybody’s concerned about it (fuel price). (But) I don’t think at this point it has changed buying habits drastically,” he said. The swelling costs appear to be making a more prominent imprint on the sale of used cars versus new ones. He said indications suggest the glut of used vehicles is becoming harder to move with fewer buyers.

Alan Ardizone, part owner of Cascade Bicycles, finishes some repairs on a Gary Fisher Mountain Bike Wednesday afternoon. Ardizone has seen people of all ages coming into the store wanting to buy bicycles this summer. (Joel Blocker / Daily Press ) Advertisement

Fairly good incentives, such as low APR financing, will likely continue to foster the sale of new vehicles, Flower said. These deals change monthly but probably won’t decline in quality, he added. Chrysler has been offering a three-year, $2.99 gas guarantee. But some critics say the deal does not amount to much in savings.

National trends and federal laws, such as the Gas Guzzler Tax provisions in the Energy Tax Act of 1978, are also discouraging the production and purchase of vehicles with fuel inefficiency.

The tax, which is posted on new car window stickers, is assessed on vehicles that do not meet fuel economy levels. However, trucks, minivans and SUVs are not covered under the provisions because they were not widely available in 1978, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Although consumers may be trading in their diesel trucks for those that run on gas, circumstances dictate that they can’t get rid of their trucks entirely.

Because people in this region depend on their trucks for work and recreation purposes, new truck sales have stayed pretty strong, Fletcher said. “We’re in a little bit of an area where people need their trucks for work.”

For those who can manage, bicycles are replacing motorized vehicles — at least for the summer.

In gas savings alone, Luke Young, Cascade Bicycles service manager, is pocketing an estimated $300 each month through the use of his two-wheel transportation. Warmer weather and spiking fuel prices provoked Young to park his car and take his bike to work.

“I feel better riding. Definitely my wallet feels better,” he said. His downtown commute is just a couple miles that, by bike, cuts his commute time. “You can actually — at least downtown— get to where you need to go way faster on bike than car.”

Leslie Ardizone owns Cascade Bicycles. She has seen growth in sales of new road bikes, repairs of old bikes and bicycle outfitting. Rear racks and saddle bags, which are fastened to the back of bicycles, are selling well.

Ardizone has seen and talked to others who plan to leave their vehicles at home and get their old bikes fixed for commuting. For the cost of four tanks of gas, people can buy a new bike, she said. For the cost of a tank, they can get a tuneup.

Also having a measurable revival lately are motorized two-wheel vehicles.

“We have seen an increase in scooter sales over the last few years,” said Lincoln Davis of Davis Service Center. “The 50cc scooters, which have been our most popular seller, get over 100 miles per gallon and cost below $2,500. It is easy for people to justify the purchase knowing how much they will save in fuel.”

Despite the boost in scooter sales, Davis said high fuel prices have had a negative effect on his business. “We sell motorized toys and with the price of fuel customers are riding their toys less. We are like everyone else and hoping someday to see an end in sight.”

 

Contact Lisa Huynh via email at lisah@montrosepress.com

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