The gas prices are absolutely ridiculous. Good thing I only work at home, cutting a lot back on transportation costs since I don’t have to commute to and from work on a daily basis. But since I still have some errands and chores to accomplish within a week, I still go out about three times – still with much respite compared to others who have to spend around $150 weekly to fill up tanks of their hulking SUVs.

There’s a mad rush to switch to more fuel efficient vehicles. The problem for SUV owners, however, is that they will be going for broke trading in their SUVs. No one wants to buy them and even used-car lots wouldn’t touch them with a thirty-foot pole. Hybrids still cost a lot for the average Joe. While smaller sedans and even kei and smart cars are increasingly popular, putting down money for a new car can be something not everyone can afford. An emerging bridge to this is a switch (at least a temporary one) from four wheels to two.

I know a friend who has unloaded his 2.0L Accord in favor of a Vespa. He still has to travel some good miles a day on average and fills up his Vespa once a week but pays only $10 at the pump. Sure, it’s partly because of its 2.5 gallon fuel tank capacity but it’s mostly because the Vespa can get 60 or so miles to the gallon. It pisses him off like hell when it rains and safety is also an issue but he can pretty much up the ante on his insurance premiums with the $140 a week savings.

And he’s not the only one shifting. A lot of other people are ditching four wheels to two. Cycle sales are already up this year and it’s highly likely that some of riders (from the 70s and 80s) once again rediscover the joys of riding two wheels.