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Cycle, Scooter Sales Increase As Gas Prices Skyrocket

DETROIT (WWJ) - The spike in gasoline prices isn't bad news for everyone. WWJ's Rob Sanford reports some people are trading in their four wheels for two-wheeled vehicles.

It seems to happen every time the price of gasoline rises to unacceptable levels -- the sales of bikes and motorcycles see a resurgence in interest.

The motorcycle industry council said they have seen an increase of 50 percent in new buyers in the first quarter of this year, compared with those numbers in 2010.

The last time fuel prices jumped, in the summer of 2008, sales increased by 15 percent.

If motorcycles or bicycles aren't your thing, many people are opting for gas-powered scooters, which can get an average of 60 to 80 miles per gallon.

The interest seems to depend on income. The more money a person makes, the less likely they are to switch modes of transportation.

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