Biking in Boulder (Longmont: taxes, vs., automobile)

[ptdudeboston]

So is it safe to say that one could survive without a car without much trouble? I mean, getting to work (of course depending on location) and to/from stores and such? My understanding is that the bus system is decent. Many people never take public transit and immediately sasy, "oh, the buses are no good". But realistically, they make it possible ot get from A to B in most places. How bout Boulder?

Thanks very mcuh

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by ptdudeboston

So is it safe to say that one could survive without a car without much trouble? I mean, getting to work (of course depending on location) and to/from stores and such? My understanding is that the bus system is decent. Many people never take public transit and immediately sasy, "oh, the buses are no good". But realistically, they make it possible ot get from A to B in most places. How bout Boulder?

Thanks very mcuh

Yes, if you plan carefully. You should investigate the bus lines before you buy/rent. There are a few places it is hard to get to by bus. Boulder is not large though, so if you have to walk a few blocks it's usually no big deal. The number of days you'd be walking in bad weather is small, indeed.

I'm just a poor slob that is in bad shape wearing jeans t-shirt and tennies, not polys funny looking helmets and racing shoes.

Keep the jeans, T-shirt and tennies, but add a helmet. My neighbor was in a bad biking accident, and his helmet probably saved his life.

[ptdudeboston]

thanks for the info. Helmet is key. After studying traumatic brain injury in school, i almost always wear the helmet.

[nelumbo]

I take the bus a lot - some areas are much better served by buses than others. Mine, not so much. RTD recently cancelled a lot of evening and weekend bus service in my area, leaving only one bus that runs hourly after 7 pm weekdays and portions of the weekend (service ends at 9 pm on weekends == not good). It is a 1-2 mile walk to the nearest other bus lines that do run on weekends (ie, Broadway). Areas along Broadway between Table Mesa and Pearl St are best served by buses, including both local routes and buses that run to the airport and downtown Denver. Buses with silly names instead of numbers tend to run frequently, late, and on weekends.

RTD has some rather frustrating to use maps and such online, as well as a route finder which will tell you which buses to take from A to B at different times of day.

[ptdudeboston]

Thanks for the info. Incidentally, I understand our frustration. I don't think I have ever seen an easy to use bus schedule in any place I have ever lived or visited. Either way, it beats paying for gas and if more people took buses, more routes would be out there. In my mind, less cars = better overall.

[nelumbo]

My main issue with the rtd website is that the service maps are hard to read, especially to figure out which blue line is which bus number when they overlap.

You are from the boston area, yes? The areas best served by buses in Boulder are also the areas with the highest student population, similar in character to Allston-Brighton. The area near Pearl St also has lots of buses - there is a major bus stop at Walnut and 14th - but also has the most expensive housing and older Victorian homes. If you are willing to pay more (similar to living next to a nice T station, like Davis) and want to avoid students, you might want to look into the Pearl St area, west of Broadway. Rents are way cheaper in Boulder than most of the Boston area, and you get exciting amenities, like parking and closets.

[davya]

Originally Posted by ptdudeboston

So is it safe to say that one could survive without a car without much trouble? I mean, getting to work (of course depending on location) and to/from stores and such? My understanding is that the bus system is decent. Many people never take public transit and immediately sasy, "oh, the buses are no good". But realistically, they make it possible ot get from A to B in most places. How bout Boulder?

Thanks very mcuh

Actually the busses in the area are pretty good. Regional busses go from Boulder to Denver Longmont, Lyons etc. They even have racks for your bikes if you want to go say from Longmont to Boulder and then ride your bike.

There are bike paths aplenty. Boulder is a VERY bike friendly town.

You may need help getting that new couch strapped on you bike though!!

[ptdudeboston]

haha, good call on the couch. Thanks

[ptdudeboston]

cool thanks for the great info nelumbo. I will take note for sure. I know exactly what you mean about boston too.

[Mikieo415]

There are plenty of bike trails. I wish more bikers would use them. If you ask me, they have no business being on 287 north of Boulder, or for that matter any busy roadway. I almost wrecked a few times because of some idiot on a bike. I think more bikers ride on highways and busy streets to make a statement... "I can take my bike anywhere I want to and you can't stop me. I am also an adrenaline junkie, or I simply have low self esteem and have to prove to myself 'I can do this.' Also look at my new outfit I just bought at REI."

I love bike riding, but come on. You don't have to prove yourself to the world. Get off the road.