News 12 at 6:00, May 16, 2007

Augusta, Ga. --- Friday, May 16th, is National Bike To Work Day. But for Michele Arroyo, it's Bike To Work Day every day.

"I ride my bike to the grocery store and just bring bags with me. And it's really simple just to ride your bike," Michele Arroyo said.

Michele works at Blue Sky Kitchen in downtown Augusta. She sold her car a year ago. That's right, she gave up driving for riding. From her home it takes her 20 minutes to ride, and 15 to drive to Blue Sky Kitchen. She said the extra five minutes is worth it.

"Well I don't have to pay for gas or insurance. It's fun to ride my bike. I get exercise," Arroyo said.

Not only does she ride her bike to work, but she rides to and from class at Augusta State. And its saving her hundreds of dollars. And many others are about to take a different transportation route. Despite the current economic downturn, Andy Jordan's Bicycle Warehouse in Augusta said their business has been up considerably.

"I do think people are finally waking up and realizing that gas prices are probably not going to go down anytime soon and if they rode their bike even a little bit, like every other day," Andy Jordan said.

He said more cyclists are moving around town, because biking cuts down on gas, and the time it would take looking for a parking spot.

"It only makes sense. If you're just riding, because people will get in their car just to go around the corner to go to the gas station. And you can just get on your bike and go just as easy," Arroyo said.