The average gas price in Racine on Friday was $3.79, according to AAA’s Fuel Price Finder. That was a dime higher than the $3.69 average the previous week, up 34 cents from the $3.45 average last month, and 53 cents higher than the $3.26 average a year ago.

"Nobody likes it," said Bill Yuen, 57, of Racine. "We don’t have another kind, we can just use this gas."

The story is the same in communities around the county. The average price in Union Grove was about $3.80, $3.81 in Burlington, $3.83 in Waterford. There are similar prices in neighboring counties, too — $3.80 in Kenosha and $3.81 in Milwaukee. The statewide average was $3.71.

Some people are making changes to stave off bigger bites being taken out of their wallets. Kimberly Francour, 23, of Racine has started carpooling more. She is working less at her job at Six Flags Great America as a safety supervisor, estimating that this summer she’d going there about half as much.

Others are looking for alternate ways of getting to work. Ben Oksiuta, owner of Racine Cyclery, 4615 Washington Ave., said he’s seen an increase in purchases from people looking to bike to their jobs.

"We’re selling more lights and bags and things that commuters would use," Oksiuta said. "People are maybe rehabbing their old bike and picking up

accessories."

The bus is another option. Curtis Garner, executive director of the Belle Urban System, said that although fares increased last year, ridership increased 1 or 2 percent, partially because of higher gas prices.

"I think we may have already seen an increase in ridership, although it hasn’t been dramatic," Garner said.

Travel plans could also be affected. Adam Smith, vice president of marketing for the Racine County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said high gas prices could create a half empty/half full glass (or in this case, tank) scenario. People might have second thoughts about taking long cross-country road trips, meaning more possible visitors to Racine from nearby communities and more local people staying in the area for vacations.

"It could turn out to be a benefit where people from Illinois that like to travel up north to Wisconsin don’t want to travel as far," Smith said. "Some people want to start looking into their own backyard and seeing what it has to offer."

Whatever the strategies, local people are changing both their lifestyles and lives because of high gas prices. Michelle Heiser, 46, of Racine, is even looking into moving closer to her job on the south side because of rising prices.

"I’ve cut back on all the luxuries," Heiser said. "To me, it’s out of control."