During the first quarter of 2009, more bikes were sold in the US of A than cars and trucks. While the current recession is still negatively affecting bike sales, they didn’t fall as fast, or as hard, as automobile sales. Around 2.6 million bicycle purchases were made, compared to less than 2.5 million cars and trucks that left the paved new car lots of America.

Since nationwide gasoline prices are now rising above $2.40 per gallon at the pump, it could end in another wave of United States residents shifting to riding bicycles for their everyday trips. The large savings from riding a bike over short distances rather than driving will help to boost the wavering consumer confidence and support a more rapid economic recovery.