As gas crunch deepens, two-wheeled vehicles becoming more popular

As gas prices stretch into record territory, more Corridor residents are gearing up on bicycles and scooters to fight what could be a summerlong fuel price battle.

The cost of regular unleaded gas was $3.99 per gallon Friday at most retail locations in the Iowa City metro area, and $3.85 to $3.90 in the Cedar Rapids metro area. That brings the price to fill a 15-gallon tank up to nearly $60.

A scooter rental business that opened in Iowa City's Old Capitol Town Center in January has roughly doubled its fleet of scooters to 50, according to Bryan Ilg, co-owner of MopedU.

Ilg said business “has been great,” with many renters mentioning high gas prices. The entire fleet of scooters will be out on long-term rental during the University of Iowa's summer term, except for a handful held out for day rentals and backups to be used during repair work, he added.

Luke Fevold, a UI junior, picked up a short-term rental Thursday to use for about 10 days. He initially decided to rent a scooter because of the parking challenges on the UI campus, which ease after the spring semester ends.

“It's a cheap way to get around,” Fevold said.

Bicycle sales are setting a record this year at World of Bikes in Iowa City, sales manager Mike Clark said, and gas prices are one of the reasons.

Keeping hot models in stock became a problem last year and could be even worse this year, Clark said.

“It's definitely been record sales, so there are a few bikes we actually have no availability on,” he said.

Keeping scooters in stock also has been a challenge at Indian Motorcycle, 6969 Mount Vernon Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids.

“Basically, they're almost at a point where they're back-ordered, and the ones we have are probably the only ones we're going to get,” owner Chuck Hanson said.

Hanson said the fuel economy of roughly 85 miles per gallon is a big selling feature on the smallest 50-cc scooters. Another is the low initial prices that start at $1,295, and the fact that the 49-cc scooters can be driven by teenagers as young as 14 with a permit and 16 without a permit.

The scooters have a maximum speed of 35 mph, Hanson said, and a trunk big enough to stow a gym bag or a few groceries.

Smaller motorcycles and larger scooters have also been getting a sales push from gas prices, according to Mike McGrath of McGrath Powersports.

A 110-cc scooter typically costs around $3,000, compared with around $2,000 for a quality entry-level 50-cc scooter, McGrath said.

McGrath said a 250-cc Honda Ninja motorcycle can go more than 75 miles on a gallon of gas and costs $4,000 to $6,000, but moves easily at highway speeds and offers the comfort of a larger cycle.

“We'll get guys in here who've ridden (motorcycles) in the past, who say, ‘I'm going to park my car and my truck, and get a bike,'” McGrath recounted.

Derek Stepanek of Northtowne Cycling & Fitness in Cedar Rapids said bicycle accessory sales and repair orders have picked up more than bicycle sales.

Cyclists who already own bikes are “repurposing it a little bit,” Stepanek said. “Maybe they're thinking, ‘Hey, when it's a sunny day it's only 3 miles to work, and I might ride.'”