Charleston sees rise in Bike Sales

High gas prices continue to drive more folks to take up cycling to save money, and improve their health.

Take South Carolina for example:

Charleston bike stores have seen a rapid rise in bike sales over the past year or so, an increase some say is due largely to the swelling price of gas.

In 2004, one of Charleston's largest bike dealers sold about five of the new hybrid bikes -- a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike -- made especially for the energy conscious to commute to work.

Last year, the number sold had jumped to 100.

Charleston Bicycle Center has seen an increasing number of customers who venture in with hopes of saving money on gas by making the trek to work on two wheels.

"They're coming in to buy and they're people who haven't rode before," said Dan Neal, sales manager at the Kanawha City cycle shop. "They're looking for the kinds of bikes that will let them do a short commute on a daily basis."

Nationwide, bike sales have spiked over the past few years, an increase that many in the business attribute to the explosion in fuel costs.

From New Jersey to Washington, D.C to Montana, bicycle dealers are reporting sales increases just this year of about 50 percent.

Don't get all excited: Freeways aren't going to be converted to Bike Lanes any time soon. ;-D

Full Story:

CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL ( 8/10 ): People turning to bikes for fuel costs, health concerns by Kris Wise.