Car Free living in Denver (Aurora, Lakewood: low income, rentals, crime)

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by Mikieo415

I have noticed that there are quite a few suicidal bikers who have no regard for their surroundings. It is still winter and I can't count on one hand how many times a biker just weaved in and out of traffic in front of me paying no attention to what is coming. This problem is especially pronounced in the Boulder area. I personally will not ride my bike on busy streets because I don't want to be around the traffic. I like to eat scrambled eggs, but I don't want to become scrambled eggs. So, if you are reading this and you love riding your bike on the streets with the "I'M INVINCIBLE" attitude, be aware of what is around you, or better yet, go on a bike path.

Yes, I hate driving in Boulder for that reason (among others). When you get anywhere near campus, expect a bike to pop out of nowhere. Many don't wear helmets, either.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by the_koolkat

... I have to agree that riding a bike in heavy traffic is just crazy.

I recall cyclists and bicycle messengers in downtown DC. Amazing guys. True KamiKazee's. Best way to get around there.

[the_koolkat]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

I recall cyclists and bicycle messengers in downtown DC. Amazing guys. True KamiKazee's. Best way to get around there.

Sometimes I am envious that I am not that crazy ! Me, I aviod riding in traffic here (Wyoming) and I am no where near a city! I need bike trails !! Tell me about them?? Are they well maintained? Safe? Can I get almost anywhere downtown using them?

[suzco]

Originally Posted by the_koolkat

Sometimes I am envious that I am not that crazy ! Me, I aviod riding in traffic here (Wyoming) and I am no where near a city! I need bike trails !! Tell me about them?? Are they well maintained? Safe? Can I get almost anywhere downtown using them?

Bike Maps available on-line

[the_koolkat]

COOL link...thanks, Suzco !

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by celes_18

I currently don't drive or own a car through choice. When needs demand it I will get a license and join the majority. But for now I don't need to. I've lived in Denver for 12 years. I am a 15 min walk from my job. Theres a bus station in front of my job that goes to the store or I can walk there in 30 mins. My mother and brothers are all short bus rides away. Recently as I've started to approach 30 I've decided to purchase a house and told the real estate agent that I did want something close to public transportation. Not only was he surprised but he asked me to give him the area's that were close to bus stops in the zip codes I was looking for. I was surprised more people aren't interested in our public transportation.

for the record Denver's rtd is high up there on my list. Its not as convenient as the one in San Francisco but much better then LA and 10 times better then Hawaii where i grew up. We had 1 bus going east in the morning and another going west in the afternoon. If you missed our bus you had to walk or get a taxi home. good times then.

You are very smart to have planned you living to avoid owning a car--I wish I was as wise--many years ago. I think many Real Estate Agents do not want to be aware or care about public transportation--afterall they drive all day long to do their jobs--they cannot understand anybody having a different prospective. However, they better learn because there are more and more people want to know about public transportation choices.

I think there has been some movement to get these real estate people to take notice, having seen that the real estate listings have more information about "being near bus lines...light rail stations".

I lived in New York City--I actuall met a real estate who did not drive; did not own a car. He showed his prospects the properties by meeting them and going to the property by public transportation. Of course living without a car, and not having a license is common in NYC and people are very comfortable with this type of life.

Livecontent

[the_koolkat]

One of the reasons I am moving from Wyoming is you have no choice but to drive out here. I don't like driving much. It is expensive to own and opperate a car, harmful to our world, and dangerous. I have lost 8 friend to car accidents. I wish to live car free in Denver. With the information I have found here I feel I can make choices that will make that possible!! Thank you!

[icewater]

Living car-free in Denver is do-able. It mainly hinges on what sort of sacrifices (?) you could make or how badly you want to do it. Living near a good busy busline is critical. Not owning a house is probably also important. Being willing to get around by bike would help, and not really traveling out of a ten mile radius from central denver would make it all more feasible. You could for sure do it for six months, and long term you'd just have to tackle each problem individually.
Weatherwise, it's not too bad....even the bad days will usually clear up by late day. so for running errands it isn't too difficult. Some planning is key. Also, try to avoid any large purchases that'll not fit on a bus seat (no concrete garden fountains). But, where there's a will there's a way- you could always get like a bike trailer or help from a friend with a truck. Keeping your lifestyle simple is key as well. There's plenty of nightlife accessible in downtown denver, and you could pretty much walk to anything if you lived in Capitol Hill. It's all there, and if you work close as well then there shouldn't really be a problem. If an emergency DOES crop up, then I hope your personal choices don't prove detrimental in the long term.

[ToddBradley]

Originally Posted by icewater

Living car-free in Denver is do-able. It mainly hinges on what sort of sacrifices (?) you could make

A lot of people don't really consider living without a car to be a sacrifice. They look at is as liberating. Giving up car payments, parking hassles, insurance, theft concerns, gas prices, funding terrorism, and traffic don't sound like much of a "sacrifice" to me!


Todd.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by ToddBradley

A lot of people don't really consider living without a car to be a sacrifice. They look at is as liberating. Giving up car payments, parking hassles, insurance, theft concerns, gas prices, funding terrorism, and traffic don't sound like much of a "sacrifice" to me!
Todd.

Your points are well-taken. But you are also giving up your independence to a certain extent. You are dependent on transit schedules, friends who may or my not come through with rides, etc. There are always two sides.