PORTLAND -- It's not just gas prices driving people to leave the keys behind and hop on their bikes.
Portland is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country so it makes sense more people are riding bicycles. But that’s just one reason why the popularity is growing.
Shops like River City Bicycles are seeing strong sales. Employee Alex Criss says he's noticed more first timers are buying bikes.
Why? It's not just higher gas prices, but also the mild winter and Portland's growing population.
“I've sold a couple bikes to people who moved in that week, and next stop after unloading the boxes, buy a bike," he said. "So it is kind of cool as the population increases here.”
Criss says Portland’s bike-friendly community also adds to the growing number of cyclists in the area.
The proof is in the numbers, a new report shows a six percent jump in people riding bicycles across the city last year.
