Here in Buffalo? I would give a resounding "YES!" to this question; "Car Lite" being only owning a single automobile. Buffalo has a rather decent mass transit system. If you live in the city proper, and work within the city, there should be no reason one can not live car-free here.
However, there is much work to do to get us there. Buffalo's "Complete Streets" project is getting a whole lot of work done in this area. Main Street towards downtown (The last block before the train comes back up) is considered a model for what it could look like. As a side note, go down there, and check it out. That single block is gorgeous.
However, the NFTA needs to take up some work as well. Finish putting those bicycle racks on the buses. Add some circulatory routes ringing the first-ring suburbs, so people don't need to go from Amherst, to downtown, and then back out to Depew.
But, for those who doubt it, check out this article: "How to Go Car Lite". It has series of steps to going car-lite, along with "Micro Steps" to see if it works for you.
I can tell you one thing: By merely commuting to work by bus as often as I can, I save about $150 a month after the price of a monthly pass. When I can, I take my bike to the store, instead of driving there. With the cost of gas being what it is, it can add up to some hefty savings. And, to boot, I get some exercise (You'd be shocked at how many calories you can shave merely by biking to the store for quick runs).
But, I'll assume many people don't want to ride a bicycle, or take the bus, here's another great way to cut a gas bill: Motorcycle, moped, or electric scooter.
So, do you can be car-lite? If you did, how much do you think you'd save yearly?
However, there is much work to do to get us there. Buffalo's "Complete Streets" project is getting a whole lot of work done in this area. Main Street towards downtown (The last block before the train comes back up) is considered a model for what it could look like. As a side note, go down there, and check it out. That single block is gorgeous.
However, the NFTA needs to take up some work as well. Finish putting those bicycle racks on the buses. Add some circulatory routes ringing the first-ring suburbs, so people don't need to go from Amherst, to downtown, and then back out to Depew.
But, for those who doubt it, check out this article: "How to Go Car Lite". It has series of steps to going car-lite, along with "Micro Steps" to see if it works for you.
I can tell you one thing: By merely commuting to work by bus as often as I can, I save about $150 a month after the price of a monthly pass. When I can, I take my bike to the store, instead of driving there. With the cost of gas being what it is, it can add up to some hefty savings. And, to boot, I get some exercise (You'd be shocked at how many calories you can shave merely by biking to the store for quick runs).
But, I'll assume many people don't want to ride a bicycle, or take the bus, here's another great way to cut a gas bill: Motorcycle, moped, or electric scooter.
So, do you can be car-lite? If you did, how much do you think you'd save yearly?
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