CNN Money reports, "Gasoline prices hit yet another record Sunday, with more than half the nation's states paying more than $4 per gallon on average, according to a daily survey from motorist group AAA. The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline climbed slightly to $4.077 a gallon." The nationwide average price topped $4 per gallon one week ago -- meaning it continues to rise at approximately one cent per day, a trend it has followed since early May.
The high cost of gas is forcing many out of their cars entirely.
The Arizona Republic reports, "Sales of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds are soaring as consumers cope with runaway fuel prices that analysts predict will hit a record $5 a gallon by the Fourth of July." Scooters, once budget transportation for young city-dwellers and nearly no one else, are appealing to a whole new range of Americans. "The median age of scooter riders rose to 46 in 2003 from 26 in 1990, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. More married riders and retirees are also taking up scooters, according to statistics." Robert, owner of the scooter shop Scooter Invasion in Tempe, Arizona, points out that some scooters get "about 70 miles per gallon," reach 45 mps, and don't require a motorcycle license because they can't legally travel on highways.
Arizona ABC affiliate KNXV, reports that registration for motorcycle training classes is surging. "Ron Arieli owns motorcycle-training school Team Arizona which he said is up in registration this month by 200 people."
The Wall Street Journal reports a sales surge in another two-wheeled mode of transport -- those odd-looking Segway scooters that debuted with so much hype in 2001. "Sales at the scooter's maker, Segway Inc., have risen to an all-time high, says CEO Jim Norrod. The closely held Manchester, N.H., company doesn't release detailed numbers....but Mr. Norrod says he expects sales this quarter to jump 50% from a year earlier, versus a 25% year-over-year increase in the first quarter." The battery-operated Segway will travel about 25 miles on a charge, and has a top speed of 12.5 mph, making it impractical for long commutes.
We're a little skeptical of the Segway reports -- the company doesn't release sales data, and says it expects a profit jump, not that it has seen one. Plus, a 50% increase in a small number of sales is still a small number of sales. A 45 mph scooter getting 75 mpg does sound like a more reasonable choice -- but worried motorists should keep in mind that the next Toyota Prius is projected to beat those scooters on gas savings.
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