Steep Gas Prices Pushing Americans To Use Public Transport, Ride Bikes

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Steep gas prices have pushed Americans to seek cheaper modes of transport: riding trains, buses, and even taking their bicycles to work.

Data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) showing a 1.7 percent dip in the mileage covered by Americans in January - a significant development given the fact that the number of cars in the U.S. increase by about two percent every year.

Not surprisingly, the latest Kaiser Family Foundation poll revealed that six out of 10 motorists now carpool to save on gas expenses.

"Some folks begin to appreciate the economic value of carpooling and there is a greatest interest in mass transit options," FHA's Doug Hecox told AFP.

The New York Times meanwhile reported that car owners from metropolitan areas are rapidly turning to public transport.

"In almost every transit system I talk to, we're seeing very high rates of growth the last few months," said William W. Millar, president of the American Public Transportation Association told the newspaper. "It's very clear that a significant portion of the increase in transit use is directly caused by people who are looking for alternatives to paying $3.50 a gallon for gas."

Areas like New York and Boston showed a 5 percent increase in mass transit ridership this year. But The Times said metropolitan areas in the South and the West - once dominated by motorists - experienced more than a 10 to 15 percent surge in train and bus riders beginning last year.

Denver's ridership is said to be up 8 percent from January to March, with several routes reaching full capacity at rush hour.

On the other hand, in Bismarck, New Delaware, commuters are dusting off old bicycles - or buying new ones - being bent on using "pedal power" to combat rising fuel prices, the Associated Press said.

"People are riding bicycles a lot more often, and it's due to a mixture of things but escalating gas prices is one of them," Bill Nesper, spokesman for the League of American Bicyclists told AP adding,"We're seeing a spike in the number of calls we're getting from people wanting tips on bicycle commuting."

The League is promoting Bike-to-Work Day on May 16. Nesper projects a record number of people will be pedaling this year.