South Floridians seek cheaper wheels as gas prices hit new records

Demand for alternative-fuel vehicles, cycles is sky-high

By Arlene Satchell | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

May 5, 2008

As the gas prices soar, South Floridians are hopping on two-wheel, three-wheel or custom-built four-wheel rides. Whether for work or play, several gas-sipping and alternative-fuel vehicles are capturing the attention of the budget-minded.

Demand for cheaper personal transportation is "through the roof right now," said Matt Sermarini of Pompano Beach-based Riva Motorsports. Riva sells scooters, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and Segway Personal Transporters.

Two years ago, Fort Lauderdale resident Henry Bromberg took a Segway tour of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park and loved it so much, he later bought two of them.

Bromberg, 80, and his wife now ride the Segways on trips to the bank, drugstore and beach.

"It's kinda neat," he said.

A growing number of Segway PT diehards are pushing sales of the quirky self-balancing, eco-friendly scooter, which debuted in 2001.

In 2007, Riva sold 250 Segways, up from almost 200 in 2006 and 120 in 2005. Fifty percent of Segway sales have gone to individuals and the rest to local law-enforcement agencies.

With top speed of 12.5 mph, the Segway can travel 16 to 24 miles on an electric charge. The I2 commuter model has a base price of $5,145, while the X2 model geared for more rugged roads starts at $5,660.

"Florida and southern California are our most concentrated regions for Segway PT purchases," Segway Inc. spokesman Eric Fleming said.

Fleming said the company's sales are increasing by more than 20 percent despite the lingering economic downturn.

At Bicycle World's three Palm Beach County stores, they've seen a resurgence in cycling."We're definitely selling more bikes for commuting," North Palm Beach store manager Harry Sheffield said.

People are cycling more because of high gas prices and for health or environmental reasons, Sheffield said.

Bicycle World customer William Hardy, 25, used to ride his bike to work at Aaron's Corporate Furnishings, in West Palm Beach, at least two or three days a week.

Nowadays, he cycles the 24-mile round trip from Palm Beach Gardens almost daily in an effort to save money on gas.

At Bike America's five stores in Broward and Palm Beach counties, more customers are repairing old bikes or buying new ones.

"I don't ever remember a time when it was like this," said owner Lee Fox, who's been in the bicycle business for 28 years.

In the past year, 10 percent of the chain's sales increase was due to commuter bike sales, Fox said.

Consumers still keen on four-wheels and looking to save on gas are buying alternative-fuel automobiles.

In 2007, about 1.8 million alternative-fuel vehicles were sold nationwide, 250,000 more than in 2006, according to recent data from Washington, D.C.-based Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

Flexible fuel and hybrid electric vehicle sales rose significantly. This year, more than 70 alternative-fuel models will be available, up from 11 in 2001, according to the data.