CHARLOTTE -- With gas prices taking a bigger chunk out of families' pockets, more and more commuters are turning to bicycles as a cheap way to make ends meet.

But for Charlotte commuter Ryan Rutledge, the benefit is twofold.

"It saves on gas and it's a decent workout every day," Rutledge said.

He's been biking for more than a week, trading time for money.

"It is about 20 miles that I do," he said. "It's about a gallon of gas. That fluctuates with the price of gas."

At the moment, Rutledge said he is saving almost $4 a day.

And that falls in line with most bike riders. The average person's work commute is about 16 miles. The average car gets 18 miles a gallon. That means a person who rides a bike to work only three days a week can save $506 a year – not including the additional insurance and upkeep costs of a car.

But safety is a deterrent, according to biking advocates like Martin Zimmerman. He has no car and has made it his lifestyle and mission to fight for cycle-friendly streets. He said having more people pedaling is both good and bad.

"Less than 1 percent of the people on the roads are biking," Zimmerman said.

That means cyclists are outnumbered by cars.

But at least three North Carolina towns are spearheading a movement for safe cycling. Carrboro, Cary and Charlotte have been nationally recognized as cycling-friendly communities.

Even if potential cyclists don't live in those cities, a safe route is just a point and a click away. Google offers safe directions for walkers that could also help bikers like Rutledge.