Living without a car in Louisville (neighborhoods, living in, buses)

[canthardlywait]

Is a car necessary to live in Louisville if you live in certain parts of town? My friend is moving up there soon and wants to sell his car. He likes to bike around a lot and is moving to the Highlands area and wants to know if he could get around simply by biking, or if he will be at a severe disadvantage not driving.

[missymomof3]

He can get around the Highlands very easily walking/biking. It also depends on where he will be working on whether he can bike there.

[kingcopper]

definately don't need a car in Lville if living in the Highlands; could get a scooter if need be for work!

[Off Topic]

A scooter is a good idea, especially with gasoline at $4 a gallon! I think living without a car could be done in certain areas, although there will be some inconvenience.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by canthardlywait

Is a car necessary to live in Louisville if you live in certain parts of town? My friend is moving up there soon and wants to sell his car. He likes to bike around a lot and is moving to the Highlands area and wants to know if he could get around simply by biking, or if he will be at a severe disadvantage not driving.

Where will he work? I was downtown the other day getting a bus to the suburbs and I was really impressed at all the professional, white collar office workers riding the express routes. One did not see this several years ago. I think bus service in the downtown, Old Louisville, and Highlands and Crescent Hill area is fairly adequate to sustain oneself without a car given one works in this area.

[alon]

It would think it would depend on where he's living and working. If biking, I'd suggest a helmet and lots of caution...it seems many drivers are bike-unfriendly or outright hostile. Some of the bus routes work well and them some others involve connectors because, like driving in some cases, there isn't a straight shot due to the creeks, hills, or train tracks.

[kingcopper]

check out WALKSCORE.COM; Louisville is the 15th most walkable city in America and there are maps that show the cities neighborhoods and their corresponding walkability score. Biking in these same hoods is just as satisfying for me!

[pie71]

Check out the Coalition for the Advancement of Regional Transportation's "Car Free Guides to Louisville Neighborhoods" at: Car Free Guides to Louisville Neighborhoods | cartky.org

[missymomof3]

Not all areas of Louisville have wonderful bus service. For example, my cousin just got a job at the new UPS hub on Outer Loop. There are absolutely (trust me, I checked) no buses that run there during the time he has to be at work. It is either extremely early or too late. I hope that changes soon but who knows!

[Windwalker]

I've been impressed by how many bikes are on the road, and there are bike lanes so that it's safer for bikes than in many other cities.

Does L'ville have a share-a-car business for those who might want a car every now and then?