Utah may be known for its growing Wasatch Front but gone are the days requiring a car to navigate this metropolis. In fact, Salt Lake City was rated #8 on the “Best Cities to Live in Without A Car” list by 24/7 Wall Street, making the choice to live car-less even easier. Public transportation is becoming more convenient and having a car in the city can almost become more of a burden than a benefit. If you are thinking of moving to the city and you’re worried about not having a set of wheels, or if you already live in the city and want to get rid of your car, here are some tips on how to ditch the keys at home and live car-less in downtown Salt Lake.
Get familiar with UTA’s public transit system
Walk Score gives Broadway Park Lofts, an urban loft community in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, top rankings for alternative transportation, including walking, biking and public transit. Communities like Broadway Park Lofts are accessible to a long list of amenities that residents can quickly reach by foot or bike. Salt Lake has been ranked #3 in the nation for public transit (May 2011 – TIME Magazine). Riders have many public transportation options available to them, from Bus to TRAX to FrontRunner, making accessibility from downtown to anywhere along the Wasatch Front convenient and affordable.
Don’t feel left out if you live in the suburbs. You can still be car-less in downtown. If you live in the suburbs and commute to downtown for frequent events and restaurants you can do it without a car. Over the past years, UTA has invested in expanding and improving public transit to suburban areas. And let’s not forget that in the winter, the UTA runs ski transit lines in addition to its regular rail and bus services.
Ride a bike
Another great way to get around the city without a car is to ride a bike. Used bikes are a cheap form of transportation. If you don’t have a bike, put pedal to the pavement with the GREENbike SLC Bike Share Program. GREENbikes are designed to eliminate short-distance car trips in the city, making downtown air cleaner and helping you burn a few calories in the process. They are built to be ridden by people wearing regular clothes and carrying ordinary stuff. GREENbike stations are conveniently located all over downtown—including less than a block from Broadway Park Lofts and Pioneer Park.
Get a wheeled cart
Once you figure out how to get around your city without a car, you’re going to need to transport your stuff without a car. Make errands easier with a rolling cart. It can be used as a grocery cart while you’re in the store, and then you can refill it with your bagged groceries for the walk or bus ride back home. Take it to Farmer’s Market or the hardware store. Anytime you know you’re going to have several items to carry in our arms; grab the wheeled cart and take it with you.
Get a weather app
If you own a car, weather isn’t much of a concern when you need to go out – you just have to make it from the front door to the driver’s seat. If you’re walking or riding a bicycle, however, it’s a different story. Here are some suggested weather apps that can help with forecasting your trips.
- The Weather Channel app shows national and local weather. It also sends alerts if bad weather is approaching.
- Accuweather shows local weather forecast weather radar. Get up-to-the-minute weather reports and current conditions including real feel outdoor temps.
Carry a reusable bag with you
For smaller trips, always have a reusable bag with you. It’s easier to carry one larger, comfy bag over your shoulder rather than three smaller plastic bags in your hands. Find a reusable bag that will fold up small and stick it in your purse or pocket whenever you leave the house.
Get to know your local businesses
If you’re a creature of habit, change can be difficult. If your preferred grocery store is ten miles away, it may be easier to search for a closer replacement. Check out the neighborhood bookstore, dry cleaner, pharmacy, grocery store, and restaurants. Give these local businesses a chance and you might find they become a new favorite. Not only are you supporting local businesses, but they’re easier to get to as well.
Join a car share program
Sometimes you just need a car. There are some purchases that don’t fit in a rolling cart, no matter how hard you try. You might need a car for a weekend getaway, or for when friends come into town. Consider Enterprise’s CarShare Program. Enjoy all the freedoms of a car without the costs of owning one. With locations along the Wasatch Front, CarShare is perfect for city life and compliments. Reserve a car when you need it, for as little as an hour, a day, or overnight.
Uber and Lyft are on-demand car services that connect ride-seekers to local drivers through a mobile app. Drivers use their own vehicles and are an inexpensive taxi alternative. The app utilizes dispatch software to send the nearest driver to your location. Both apps provide no-cash-payment which instead charge the ride directly to your credit card on file.
What to do in case of an emergency
What if you need a car right this very instant? Make sure you have a few options planned out. Have information on hand to call a taxi or use car services such as Lyft or Uber. Know which of your friends and neighbors have a car and would be willing to drive you. And of course, in any serious emergency, call 911. They can always send an ambulance to come pick you up if needed.
Do you have a car? If not, how do you get by without one?
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