Drivers such as Dan Ragsdale say it’s painful to look at their gas tanks replenish.
“It’s been brutal, honestly, just like every day,” stated Ragsdale, who’s a pupil at Cuesta College.
Some individuals are having to make day by day adjustments to remain inside their price range.
“I barely use my car. I try to avoid filling it up,” stated Lena Fried, who lives in San Luis Obispo.
Main Street Cycles in Santa Maria is noticing a rise in electrical bike (e-bike) gross sales.
“Bikes have been very popular over the last few years because people want to get out and exercise,” defined Scott Clark, Main Street Cycles’ proprietor. “I think what is happening with rising gas prices is that it has brought more attention to cycling, so we’re seeing a slow uptick from that.”
Foothill Cyclery in San Luis Obispo is selecting up on that development.
“People that want to commute with their children to school,” stated Gianno Spera, a gross sales affiliate at Foothill Cyclery. “There are different cargo bikes that accommodate that, and there’s people that just want to do grocery store runs.”
Prices can go wherever from $1,000 to $10,000 or much more, which is why there are combined opinions.
“Electric bikes are pretty expensive, I have a manual bike, a normal bike but I don’t ride it that much. I usually either walk places or drive if I have to, but I’ve been trying to use my car less and less,” added Ragsdale.
“E-bikes are really cool, but I don’t know if I’d go out of my way to purchase one,” stated Fried.
For Loni Johnston, her current buy was a recreation changer.
“My e-bike is also a pedal assistance, so it allows me to get a workout and be able to keep up with Mr. Bicycle Man here,” stated Johnston. “It is good for the environment, gets you out in nature. My hybrid definitely helps with the gas prices with it being so expensive.”
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the typical worth for a gallon of gas in San Luis Obispo County is $5.96 whereas Santa Barbara County is holding on to $5.87.
“Obviously, the gas prices going up has spiked people’s interest in alternative modes of transportation,” added Spera.
Ones that don’t essentially require gas.
“You can externally take the battery out and charge it that way at home in a 120-volt outlet or some of them have the ability to the battery inside of the frame, and you can charge it,” defined Spera.
There can be the concern of lacking out.
“A lot of people are starting to see their friends and family and people riding around on them going, ‘Wow, that looks like fun. I think I want to check it out,’” stated Clark.
Because these bikes might be expensive relying on the model and mannequin, bike sellers advocate getting a heavy-duty chain lock to safe it.
If you might be considering an electrical bike, there are native spots the place you possibly can hire one or you possibly can at all times ask a motorcycle store if you are able to do a take a look at run.
To study extra about rebates supplied by the state of California for electrical bike purchases, click on right here.