By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline last week registered
at $4.90. The average price in Kansas was $4.59 per gallon. The cost to fuel a
vehicle may have some citizens looking at other means of transportation.
Todd VanSkike, owner of Golden Belt Bicycle Company in Great Bend, said despite
the rise in gas prices, there hasn’t been a huge uptick in bicycle purchases
from people wanting to shed their vehicles for two wheels.
He does acknowledge for
the price to fill up with gas a few times, you could get around town without the worry of gas prices.
"You want to save money on gas, you can save an infinite amount by
getting a nice bike," joked VanSkike. "Something reliable for $500 or
$600, just a good Trek bike. You can ride around town and that thing
will last you 20 years."
With an increased effort to include sharrows, bicycle signs and designated bike
paths, Great Bend is becoming more navigable for bicyclists.
"Great Bend is well-equipped for routes around town, especially with the
Trans-America route coming through here the last couple of years," said
VanSkike. "There's been a real eye-opening to cycling and using the
town's infrastructure better for riding bikes."
In 2019, Great Bend was included as a stop on the Trans-America Bicycle Trail
that stretches from coast to coast in the United States.