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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 11, 2005 State gas prices fifth lowest in U.S. By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune When gas prices shot to $2.50 a gallon more than a month ago, Medford resident Rob Shull decided to leave his car in the garage. The U.S. Forest Service employee has been relying on pedal power ever since. "I just hate being dependent on oil and gas," said the 51-year-old southwest Medford resident who bikes two-and-a-half miles one way to work. Shull is part of a small but growing cadre of cyclists who’ve decided that gas has become too expensive. In the Medford-Ashland area, the price of regular averaged $3.06 a gallon Friday, down from the all-time high of $3.07 set on Sept. 4, and about $1 a gallon more than a year ago, according to AAA’s fuel-gauge report. Advertisement Pump prices in the area, which have been steadily increasing, dropped following the usual Labor Day spike. Some stations, such as Shell and Chevron, that posted $3.06 a gallon were just a smidge under $3 Friday. AAA spokesman Elliott Eki said that prices should ease based on predictions by energy experts and the resumption of pipeline operations in the South. "I think you should see them bounce around a bit, but go downward," he said. But energy experts don’t think prices will return to last year’s levels. Eki said the national average should eventually settle at $2.50 a gallon, which means that Oregonians will be paying about $2.60 on average. For the Medford-Ashland area, that translates into about $2.65 a gallon or more for regular, he said. Before Hurricane Katrina, Eki said, Oregon was the fourth or fifth most expensive place in the country to buy gasoline. Shortly after the hurricane, the state had the fourth lowest priced gasoline. Now it ranks fifth lowest, tied with Utah. Gas prices could have surged higher if Oregonians had panicked, a situation that happened in other areas of the country. "Their (Oregonians’) restraint prevented prices from skyrocketing," he said. Just how many motorists have abandoned their vehicles in favor of other modes of transit is difficult to say. Shull said he thinks there has been an increase in the number of bikes just from his observations out his office window near the U.S. Post Office in downtown Medford. "I’ve noticed professional-type people riding around with backpacks," he said. The Rogue Valley Transportation District reports ridership is up 3 percent over last year to 101,000 passengers in August. But Peter Jacobsen, general manager at RVTD, said the increase is likely more attributable to the increase in population locally rather than people staying away from their cars. "It’s not enough to say something’s happening," he said. "I think people kind of hope prices will go down." If gas prices stay high, Jacobsen predicts it could have an influence on ridership. "We’re all in love with our cars," he said. "It’s kind of the American way." But driving around town, Jacobsen said, "It seems to me there are a lot of pickup trucks and SUVs for sale right now, but that’s not very scientific." Despite Jacobsen’s observation, Shane Sevcik, sales manager for Lithia Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, said that sales of trucks and SUVs have actually jumped. "They’re up to 25 percent over last year," he said. Sales are buoyed by deals offered from manufacturers and the fact that the overall dollar amount of gas isn’t that high in the scheme of things, said Sevcik. Particularly popular are diesels and big-engine vehicles, he said. "They want their toys," said Sevcik. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail State gas prices fifth lowest in U.S. ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Advertisement s