Below is the article I was in that Jim Newton from the News Sun wrote on 16 May 2008.
Wheel effort may do you good in pocketbook
Good weather, pump shock are like music to spoke-and-sprocket folks
By JIM NEWTON jnewton@scn1.com
Times are good in the bicycle sales and repair business.
With the weather warming up and local gas prices flirting with and in some cases exceeding $4 a gallon, a lot of people are turning to bicycles for commuting, errands and recreation.
That translates to an upturn in business for cycle shops.
“For sure, both sales of new bikes and repairs,” said Rick Kubica, owner of Antioch Schwinn Cyclery. “It’s probably a better year than we’ve had in the past.”
Kubica said some customers have mentioned that they are using their stimulus checks to purchase bikes.
“A lot of people are dusting off their old bikes and saying they are going to get out and save some gas money,” said Tom Daisy, owner of the Zion Cyclery. “Repairs are definitely up.”
Mike Kerrigan, owner of Mike’s Bikes in Gurnee, said sales have been brisk for some time, but climbing gas prices aren’t hurting the trend.
Kerrigan said the increased interest in riding also brings more repair work to his store.
“With all of the train lines here, people are riding their bikes to the train station,” Kerrigan said. “We get a lot of repairs. They’re not necessarily riding their best bikes and leaving them at the train station all day.”
Those who may be considering biking to work instead of driving should plan for the transition by selecting the right bike and equipment for their commute and putting some thought into the route they will take.
“You may not want to take the same route as you would in a car,” Kerrigan said, noting that neighborhood and regional bike paths may be an option to shorten the commute and make it more pleasant.
The Lake County Forest Preserve’s Des Plaines River Trail, for example, offers a direct connection to corporate parks in the Vernon Hills area, Kerrigan said.
Once your route is selected, Kerrigan recommends giving it a trial run.
“On a Saturday or Sunday, take a practice ride and make sure it’s a good route you’re comfortable with,” he said.
Picking the right bike depends on several factors, including the length of your commute and the surfaces you will be riding on.
If you are commuting more than 10 miles, a lightweight road bike is probably the best option, while those riding shorter distances and utilizing some crushed stone paths may be better off with trail bikes or hybrids.
Cyclo-cross bikes are a popular choice these days, Kerrigan said, because they feature the speed of a road bike with the stability of a wider-tire bike.
Always wear a helmet and clothes that are appropriate for riding, Kerrigan said. Carrying an extra inner tube and a pump is also a necessity.
Mike McGarrigle, a manager at Mike’s Bikes, started leaving his motor vehicle at home in Round Lake Beach and riding to work.
Factoring in current fuel prices, McGarrigle said he saves about $160 a month by riding to work, and it takes care of his exercise needs. “At least the cardio portions,” he said, adding that he genuinely enjoys the bike commute.
Some companies also offer encouragement for employees who want to bike to work.
Hewitt Associates in Lincolnshire has bike racks outside of all its buildings, and shower facilities in most, said Tim Grzesiakowski, commuter transportation manager for the company.
While he said only a small percentage of Hewitt’s 5,000 employees regularly ride to work, that could change in the near future.
