5 popular places
1) Portland, Oregon. Portland is a GREAT city thanks to lots of bike lanes and great public transport; plus it’s cheaper than San Francisco.
2) Seattle, Washington. Michael Thomas, a vehicle researcher at the University of Washington, writes that more than 200,000 people in Seattle don’t have cars and get around with public transportation and their feet.
3) Chicago, Illinois. According to a report from the Chicago Transit Authority in 2022, more than 1. 6 million people rely on the CTA every day, just how IMPORTANT public transportation is to residents who don’t drive.
4) New York City, New York. More than half of New Yorkers use public transportation to get around, (data from the New York City Department of Transportation) That makes sense given how many buses, subways, and trains there are throughout the city — all of which can be taken without a car.
5) San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency reports that 700,000 people use Muni buses and trains daily. Not sure if you could handle going car-free? Don’t worry: many people do it, and they’ve got some tips to make the transition easier.
5 ways to get around
Use public transportation. If you’re in a city, there’s probably a bus or train that can get you where you need to go. Find out how to use them and then take advantage! Consider biking. Many cities have bike lanes or bike-share programs; look into those options if it seems like a good choice for you. Walk. Sometimes it’s easier just to take your time and go on foot — plus you’ll save money. Use rideshare apps such as Uber or Lyft when public transportation and your own two feet aren’t enough!
Go experience!
Save money on gas, get more exercise, enjoy public transport, reduce stress from congestion traffic, and use SAVED time to explore the city or take up a new hobby. It’s a win all around!! Before a car-free city, think about what kinda life you want. Do you wanna live somewhere where it’s easy to walk everywhere? Or do you want to be near good public conveyance? Remember: the car-free zones of these cities can be more expensive than elsewhere. Make sure your budget includes a COMFORTABLE place to stay and easy access to public transit. And finally: don’t just move to one of these cities. Go experience them first!