TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — Anyone driving through Tahlequah may have noticed a slight change in the commuter landscape: There are more bicycles, motorcycles and scooters taking to the streets.

Whether it’s due to skyrocketing fuel costs, or an effort to improve health, area residents like Pam Moore are parking their cars and pedaling.

“I have been riding back and forth on ‘my’ blocks where I usually walk: Redbud, Dogwood and Tanglewood, early in the morning, and I ride to the Farmers’ Market each Saturday when the weather’s good,” said Moore. “I am working on getting my confidence level better before I take off for parts elsewhere in the city. Where I live is downhill to everywhere and uphill to home. In other words, I can probably get there, but I am not sure I can get home. I’m working on it, though. I will probably ride more this fall when the weather is cooler.”

Dave Rogers, owner of Paceline Cyclery, has noticed a change in transportation attitudes in Tahlequah.

“There are both more scooters and more bicycles,” he said. “I’ve seen a huge increase in interest in commuter-style bicycles.”

Rogers said people who live anywhere from eight to two miles from work have been frequenting the shop, asking what kind of bicycle would be best not for recreation, but for riding to work.

“I’ve also started selling lots of rear racks for bicycles,” he said. “Usually, I’d sell two a month. One week recently, I sold six. Since then, I’ve been selling two or three a week.”

The rear racks Rogers is referring to provides space for cyclists to stow backpacks, briefcases and other work-related paraphernalia.

“We also have been selling more trunk bags, which fit onto the rear racks,” he said. “They’re great for storing lunches, purses, shoes and jackets that you might need for work.”

Rogers, who lives 15 miles from his shop, sometimes commutes himself, and has done the math on the fuel costs savings.

“I drive a 2003 full-size GMC truck, and it saves me $8 a day,” said Rogers. “If you do that every day for a month, that’s over $240.”

Rogers believes that, with a little perseverance, anyone can become a cycling commuter.

“If people would just realize that if they stick with it for three weeks, they’ll be hooked,” he said. “Even if they just use the bicycle for those short trips to a friend’s house or to pick up a gallon of milk, they’ve forgotten, it’s the little trips that end up costing you more in gas just by starting the car.”

The “commuter-style” bikes Rogers refers to resemble the Schwinns of yesteryear, with large, comfortable seats, curved handlebars and wider tires. But if you’re looking for one, you’d better hurry, as demand has put stress on manufacturers.

“My main brand, Specialized, has totally sold out of commuter-style bikes,” said Rogers. “The president of the company sent me an e-mail apologizing, saying they never thought demand like this would happen as fast as it has.”

Rogers said when visiting Lake Tahoe a couple of years ago, he noticed a trend toward bicycling commuters.

“There were literally more bicycles on the bike paths than there were cars on the road during the morning commute,” he said. “I knew then it was going to be a big deal.”

He believes Tahlequah is the perfect setting for cycling commuters. He read an article that stated any community compacted in a 10-mile radius is optimum.

“We fit that criteria perfectly,” he said. “Anyone who lives inside the Bertha Parker Bypass could easily commute by bicycle. It only makes sense. And it’s beginning to happen. If I see this kind of change in Tahlequah, Okla., it’s going on everywhere.”

Rogers said an entry-level commuter-style bicycle runs anywhere from $300-$400, but will pay for itself inside a year if ridden with any kind of regularity.

Moore believes it’s important to know where your bike comes from.

“I think if you are planning to use a bicycle for local transport, you should buy it from a local [bike] shop, so that you have access to a knowledgeable technician and mechanical support,” she said. “Another thing to remember is to buy for quality so that you can get home – that is, when you’re able to ride uphill for extended periods.”

Linda Pope prefers riding her bike to driving.

“I prefer riding my racing bike, which I bought at a garage sale for $20,” said Pope. “It not only gets me around economically, but I get exercise, as well. No gas fumes to add to the ozone layer.”

Scooters and motorcycles also seem to be gaining popularity. And those who don’t mind a little pedaling - with a boost - may want to consider an electric bike.

According to www.electric-bikes.com, people ride electric scooters and bikes because the enjoy making local errands fun, quick and easy; like to save money, meet new people and protect the environment; and regularly travel farther than the 1-mile range of kick scooters.

Electric bikes work by assisting a cyclist’s pedaling. They’re everyday bicycles with an added battery-powered electric motor.

“The average ‘couch potato’ who normally rides at 10 mph can ride at 15-20 mph using the same effort,” states the site. “He can also expect a range of 10 miles, with a recharge time of several hours. Do you remember that easy pedaling after you get your bike up to speed? That’s the cruising feeling you get all the time with an electric bike.”

While the electric bike may seem attractive from a “couch potato” point of view, they’re a bit more expensive, running anywhere from $600 to over $1,000, depending on preference.

Linda Spyres remembers having a scooter when she was younger.

“When I was in high school, I had a Cushman Scooter – a huge thing with a centrifugal clutch!” she said. “I wish I still had it, because it was a blast and I could go forever on it. If I had it, I’d definitely use it to tool around town, since it had a flip-up seat with lots of storage. It brings back great memories.”

Kathy Tibbits remembers her two-wheeled machine from college with fondness.

“When I was a law student in 1980-’83, I used to motor around the Tulsa University campus neighborhoods on a Vespa, which got amazing mileage,” said Tibbits. “It had running boards and a faring. It was a cool bike for a woman. But after wrecking it, I stopped riding it.”

While many in the area seem in favor of parking their cars, Sandy Gail Hutchins believes a major transition requires more thought.

“Before anyone should jump off the deep end and buy scooters or motorbikes, there are some considerations that should be made,” she said. “How much will these bikes cost? Would their cost truly offset the extra price of gasoline? Take into consideration Oklahoma’s weather: heat, bone-freezing cold, sudden lightning storms, rain, ice and the list goes on.”

Hutchins said two-wheelers should possibly be considered toys more than gas-saving alternatives.

“Many people in Oklahoma live 20-plus miles from their jobs, and enclosed transportation is more likely to be a safe alternative,” she said. “This is not New York City.”