Cycling Around Gas Price Potholes

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High gasoline prices are fueling bicycle sales for Los Angeles bicycle shops as more commuters switch to an often hair-raising alternative to driving their cars to work.

“It’s definitely saving me money, but may be taking years off my life due to the fact that it’s a terrifying experience,” said Michael Hall, a 46-year-old television editor. The problems, he said, include the cellphone-using, “coffee-drinking, shaving, makeup-putting-on person who’s not paying attention” and the furious motorists who swear at him if he slows them down “for a nanosecond.”

Industry sales numbers for the year aren’t available yet, but anecdotal evidence is widespread that bicycle companies are benefiting from what’s hurting other businesses, said Tim Blumenthal, executive director of Bikes Belong Coalition, an advocacy group.





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